New York City audiences will have the chance to experience a grand concert version of "Les Miserables" when it arrives at Radio City Music Hall for 22 performances beginning July 23. This production, which has toured globally, features a large cast and orchestra.
"Les Miserables," with music by Claude-Michel Schönberg and lyrics by Alain Boublil, has a significant history in New York, having premiered on Broadway in 1987 and run for many years. Revivals were staged in 2008 and 2014. The current concert production, however, will be presented in a much larger venue.
British producer Cameron Mackintosh stated his intention to stage the iconic concert in "the most iconic way" at Radio City Music Hall. This engagement is the first time this particular concert version has been performed in the United States, though American audiences may be familiar with similar large-scale anniversary productions seen on PBS or online.
The Radio City production will feature 52 actors and 27 orchestra musicians. The role of Jean Valjean will be shared by three rotating performers, including Killian Donnelly and Alfie Boe, while the role of Inspector Javert will be played by Bradley Dean and Jeremy Secomb.
Mackintosh expressed that he has no immediate plans to bring "Les Miserables" or "The Phantom of the Opera" back to Broadway. He cited the current financial challenges and escalating costs on Broadway as reasons for this decision, describing the situation as "a mess." He noted that while both shows continue to run in London's West End and "Phantom" is touring successfully in the U.S., Broadway's economic landscape makes large-scale productions difficult to sustain profitably.
Instead of a Broadway return, Mackintosh's strategy has been to build anticipation for regional theaters to produce "Les Miserables" following the conclusion of its national tour. He indicated that the success of the Radio City engagement could potentially lead to a U.S. tour of the concert production in a year or two, provided it is "a big success."
The concert at Radio City is reportedly close to 90% sold out for its initial two weeks and 50% sold for the subsequent weeks.