Broadway at the Marcus Center presents LES MISÉRABLES, 2025

The cast of LES MISÉRABLES, presented by the Broadway at the Marcus Center series at the Marcus Performing Arts Center in downtown Milwaukee through November 2, 2025. Photo by Matthew Murphy.

By Mary Boyle

"To love another person is to see the face of God."  This line from Alain Boublil and Jean-Marc Natel's musical, ​LES MISÉRABLES, based on the 1862 novel by Victor Hugo, gets right to the heart of this story of social injustice in 19th Century France and the horrors that follow a culture unable to see the humanity in all people.  One of the longest running and most beloved musicals in the world, the Broadway at the Marcus Center series brings the North American Tour of Les Misérables back to Milwaukee again at a time when it is needed more than ever.

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 and 2022, also through the Broadway at the Marcus Center Season, and continues to enjoy record-breaking runs.  Nick Cartel, who has performed Valjean over 1,500 times, returns with an entirely different cast than the last lineup in 2022.  Nick Rehberger is a comanding presence as Javert; Lindsay Heather Pearce delivers a soaring version of “I Dreamed a Dream” as Fantine; Jaedynn Latter and Alexa Lopez are well cast as Eponine and Cossette, respectively; Peter Neureuther held his own as Marius; and, I particularly loved  Randy Jeter as The Bishop of Digne.   Matt Crowle returns as Monsieur Thénardier, though the addition of Victoria Huston-Elem as Madame Thénardier was not quite the scene stealing energy I saw in 2022. I saw Rocco Van Auken, who was the perfect Gavroche and one of the highlights of this touring company.

The music of Les Misérables, composed by Claude-Michel Schönberg with lyrics by Herbert Kretzmer and directed by Glenn Alexander II, never fails to awe and inspire: “I Dreamed a Dream,” “On My Own,” “Bring Him Home,” “Do You Hear The People Sing?” “One Day More,” and “Master of the House” are recognizable even to those who haven't seen the musical.  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.  

Tickets for 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 2025/2026 Johnson Financial Group Broadway at the Marcus Center Season.  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
A mission-based non-profit organization located in downtown Milwaukee, the Marcus Performing Arts Center (MPAC) brings high-quality arts and cultural programming to Southeastern Wisconsin. MPAC strives toact as an energizing force that connects the community to the world through collaboration, innovation, social engagement, and the transformative power of the performing arts. Through multiple performance series, community events, and educational experiences, MPAC brings a diverse range of celebrated artists to the region. A fixture in Milwaukee for over 55 years, MPAC is proud to be part of the Milwaukee Theater District as well as a dedicated War Memorial facility. Learn more at 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 25-time Tony Award winner John Gore (Owner & CEO), Broadway Across America pioneered the Broadway subscription touring model and is a leading presenter of the first-class productions across more than 45 North American markets. Since inception, Broadway Across America has produced and/or invested in hundreds of Broadway, touring Broadway, and international productions that have won countless Tony awards and introduced millions of fans to the power of live theater.