Steve On Broadway (SOB)

Les Misérables' Broadway Revival to Boast Must-See Cast

Les Misérables' Broadway Revival to Boast Must-See Cast

Today producer extraordinaire Cameron Mackintosh announced casting details for his October revival of the beloved Les Misérables, one of the longest running musicals in both Broadway and London West End history. The Alain Boublil/Claude-Michel Schönberg tuner is slated to include such Broadway babies as Alexander Gemignani, Norm Lewis, Daphne Rubin-Vega and Gary Beach.

I had the pleasure of seeing Gemignani in both Assassins (as John Hinckley) and in the current production of Sweeney Todd (in the role of The Beadle); he was excellent in both productions. Now he'll tackle one of the stage's most coveted roles as Jean Valjean. He'll have great company in the three co-stars: Lewis will portray Inspector Javert, Rubin-Vega will assume the role of Fantine, and Beach will play Thenardier.

I'm excited that two other exceptional talents have been announced for this production. I'm delighted that Mackintosh "took a chance" on Jenny Galloway -- who stole the show when I first caught the original West End production of Mamma Mia! in 1999. Galloway will portray Madame Thenardier. I'm also thrilled that the gifted Aaron Lazar, who first wowed me as the love-sick Fabrizio in The Light In The Piazza, will take on the role of Enjolras.

With an outstanding cast like this, one has to wonder whether the "limited" six-month stint will suddenly be transformed into an open-ended engagement once it opens at the Broadhurst Theatre on November 9.

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posted by Steve On Broadway (SOB) @ Monday, June 05, 2006