Broadway at the Marcus Center presents LES MISÉRABLES

The North American Touring Cast of Les Misérables performing "One Day More." Photo by Matthew Murphy & Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade

By Mary Boyle

​Victor Hugo couldn't have known when he published his story in 1862 that his book, which is one of the longest ever written, would go on to become one of the greatest novels of the 19th century and then, 123 years after its publication, go on to become a musical that would become one of the longest running musical in the world; however, it was very clear that he had set out from the beginning to change the many injustices he saw in the world.  To his Italian publisher he said:

​I don't know whether it will be read by everyone, but it is meant for everyone. It addresses England as well as Spain, Italy as well as France, Germany as well as Ireland, the republics that harbour slaves as well as empires that have serfs. Social problems go beyond frontiers. Humankind's wounds, those huge sores that litter the world, do not stop at the blue and red lines drawn on maps. Wherever men go in ignorance or despair, wherever women sell themselves for bread, wherever children lack a book to learn from or a warm hearth, Les Misérables knocks at the door and says: 'open up, I am here for you.'

​While it may seem that something as light and frivolous as a Broadway Musical could not possibly inspire any change in the world, I challenge you to experience LES MISÉRABLES, happening through December 4th at the Marcus Performing Arts Center in downtown Milwaukee, and see if you don't come away from it unmoved.

Les Misérables mainly follows the story of a Frenchman named Jean Valjean, who spends a harsh 19 years in prison under the watchful eye of the relentless prison guard, Javert, for stealing a loaf of bread for his sister's starving child.  Finally released from prison, Valjean quickly learns that life is impossible when one has been branded a thief, until he is shown mercy and given a shot at redemption by the Bishop of Digne.  Valjean reinvents himself as a generous and respected man who runs a factory staffed with poor single women who, without the work, would be destitute.  Unfortunately, the factory foreman doesn’t share his employer’s benevolence and takes his vengeance on one of the women workers, Fantine, who wouldn’t stand his advances.  Left on the streets with no way to send money to her little daughter, Cossette, Fantine quickly succumbs to the horrors of 19th century France.  When Valjean discovers her on the streets, he vows to help her but, unfortunately, Javert has also caught up with him.  Escaping Javert again, Valjean rescues Cossette from the abusive family who had been charged with her care, the Thénardiers, and starts a new life in Paris but, not only does his past keep catching up with him, the very conditions that took him to prison in the first place are coming to a boiling point that culminates in the Paris Uprising of 1832. 

This North American Tour, produced by Cameron Mackintosh in 2009 to commemorate the show’s 25th Anniversary, is the same one that came to Milwaukee in 2018, also through the Broadway at the Marcus Center Season, and continues to enjoy record-breaking runs.  The incomparable Nick Cartel and Hayden Tee return to their roles as Valjean and Javert, but nearly all the remainder of the cast is new. Haley Dortch is splendid as Fantine, delivering a tear-jerking “I Dreamed a Dream.”  Monsieur and Madame Thénardier, now played by Matt Crowle and Christina Rose Hall (who theatregoers may recall from Skylight’s 2017 production of Sweeny Todd), still managed to delight the audience and steal the show. Christine Heesun Hwang was heartbreaking as Éponine and well matched to Gregory Lee Rodriguez as Marius.  Addie Morales’ operatic style did not fit my expectation as Cosette, yet there is no denying that her range is admirable; it worked better in some songs than others.  The young performers are always an audience favorite at Les Miz, and while little Cosette (Cora Jane Messer/Hazel Vogel) was perfect on Opening Night, Gavroche (Harrison Fox/Gabriel Lafazan) was unfortunately difficult to understand.

The music of Les Misérables, directed by Brian Eads, never fails to awe and inspire – particularly “I Dreamed a Dream,” “On My Own,” “Bring Him Home,” “Do You Hear The People Sing?” “One Day More,” and “Master of the House.”  Although the country they’re fighting for justice in isn’t our own, something stirs in your chest when they wave the bright red flag and repeat the chorus, “Can you hear the people sing?”  We come back to this story again and again because we recognize the universal truths in it: that we must forgive each other and ourselves and, most importantly, that we must love each other.  As Hugo wrote, “To love another person is to see the eyes of God.”

Tickets for Cameron Mackintosh’s acclaimed production of Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg’s Tony Award-winning musical phenomenon, LES MISÉRABLES, may be purchased at www.MarcusCenter.org, by calling (414) 273-7206, or by visiting the Marcus Center Box Office at 929 North Water Street, Downtown Milwaukee. Single ticket prices start at $40 and are subject to change.

LES MISÉRABLES is part of the 2022/2023 Johnson Financial Group Broadway at the Marcus Center Season.  Subscribers may choose between a 6 or 7-show packages; the 7-show package includes LES MISÉRABLES.  Groups of 10 or more can secure their seats by calling 414-273-7207.  More information can be found at www.LesMis.com, the official global website for LES MISÉRABLES.

About Marcus Performing Arts Center
The Marcus Performing Arts Center (MPAC) serves as a performing arts community gathering space in Southeastern Wisconsin, bringing high-quality arts and cultural programming to the region for over 50years. As a mission-based non-profit organization located in downtown Milwaukee, MPAC strives to act as an energizing force that connects the community to the world through collaboration, innovation, social engagement, and the transformative power of performing arts. Through multiple performance series and community events, MPAC brings a diverse range of performing arts to the region. Presented series include Johnson Financial Group Broadway at the Marcus Center, MPAC Presents, Dance, Jazz, National Geographic LIVE, Rainbow Summer, and additional special performances from internationally renowned artists. MPAC's education, community engagement, and inclusion initiatives provide free experiences that annually engage students and life-long learners in Milwaukee. MPAC is proud to be a dedicated War Memorial facility, honoring those who bravely served our country. For more information, visit www.marcuscenter.org.

Johnson Financial Group, with offices in Wisconsin and Minnesota, is a privately owned financial services company offering banking, wealth and insurance solutions through its subsidiaries, Johnson Bank, Johnson Wealth, and Johnson Insurance Services. For more information visit johnsonfinancialgroup.com.

Broadway Across America (BAA) is part of the John Gore Organization family of companies, which includes Broadway.com, The Broadway Channel, BroadwayBox.com, Group Sales Box Office and Broadway Brands. Led by 18-time Tony-winning theater producer John Gore (Owner & CEO), BAA is the foremost presenter of first-class touring productions in North America, operating in 48 markets with over 400,000 subscribers. Presentations include Disney’s The Lion King, Wicked, The Book of Mormon and Hamilton. Current and past productions include Ain’t Too Proud, Beautiful, Cats, Chicago, Dear Evan Hansen, Mean Girls, Moulin Rouge! and To Kill A Mockingbird.