“LES MISERABLES:” A SWEEPING EPIC MUSICAL AT THE PALACE

THE CAST OF THE NATIONAL TOUR OF "LES MISERABLES"
PHOTO BY MATTHEW MURPHY

Now is the perfect time to begin or renew an acquaintance with one of theater’s  most enthralling and enduring musical classics, meant to inspire and thrill in all its historical splendor. Nineteenth century France will come to life in bursts of color, heroism and timeless passion.

When the great French writer Victor Hugo was only thirteen years of age, he began to write prize-winning poetry.  He went on to add the titles of playwright, novelist, essayist, visual artist, statesman and human rights advocate to his name.  Perhaps he is best known for his novel “Les Miserables” or The Poor, penned in 1862, about a man Jean Valjean who is imprisoned for stealing a loaf of bread to feed his starving sister and her family and his ultimate tale of redemption.

This story, that met with great success even though it was initially banned by the government, is said to have been inspired by a true incident in Paris.  Hugo saw a poor man arrested for a minor crime, in stark contrast to a woman in a nearby carriage, wealthy, wrapped in fur, who was totally unaware of the tragedy happening at her richly clad feet. 

This epic novel that generated great excitement when published, when people fought to buy one of the 48,000 copies released on day one, was set to music a century later.  Produced by Cameron Mackintosh, from Alain Boubiland Claude-Michel Schonberg’s Tony Award-winning epic phenomenon, this stirring and stunning version returning to the Palace direct from an acclaimed two and a half year Broadway run, ”Les Miserables” is a sweeping, majestic drama, history on parade, and is gracing the stage of Waterbury’s Palace Theater from Tuesday, December 3 to Sunday, December 8. Come view the beautiful scenic design by Matt Kinley that incorporates Victor Hugo’s artwork with advanced projection technology that gives the production a cinematic look layered in with the set.

“Les Miz” follows Jean Valjean (Nick Cartell) after nineteen years of imprisonment, his pursuit by the police inspector Javert (Josh Davis) and his new identity as Monsieur Madeleine where he becomes a wealthy factory owner and mayor. Valjean cannot escape his past as Javert doggedly pursues him.  Valjean performs deeds of valor, saving lives and helping in a student revolt, proving that people can change for the good. This story, universal in its appeal, unites with a soaring musical score, to applaud the survival of the human spirit. The talented cast also includes Jimmy Smagula and Allison Guinn  as Monsieur and Madame Thenardier, Mary Kate Moore as Fantine, Matt Shingledecker as Enjolras, Phoenix Best as Eponine, Joshua Grosso as Marius and Jillian Butler as Cosette. Glorious tunes like “I Dreamed a Dream,” “On My Own,” “One Day More” and “Bring Him Home” will stir the air with promise for a new day.

For tickets ($46.50 and up), call the Palace, 100 East Main Street, Waterbury at 203-346-2000 or online at www.palacetheater.org.  Performances are Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.,Wednesday at 1 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., Thursday at 7:30 p.m., Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m. 

Arm the battlements to fight for good over evil, for democracy over tyranny, for the triumph of love and justice, in this astonishing theatrical musical drama, “Les Miz,” the fifth longest-running Broadway production of all time.  Don’t miss it! Come join the 130 million viewers in 44 countries, speaking 22 languages around the world, who have thrilled to its majesty.