Right from the start, Les Misérables takes it’s audience captive with music and vocals that are larger than life. Not long after the show opens with “Look Down,” you can feel the raw emotion pouring out from the stage. It is here that we are first introduced to Jean Valjean (Peter Lockyer), a man who was imprisoned for 19 years for stealing a loaf of bread and continually trying to escape his sentence. Valjean expects that he will finally be free, but cannot escape his past due to a yellow passport he is forced to carry. To police inspector Javert (Andrew Varela), and almost all of the people Valjean meets, he will always be prisoner 24601. With the help of a bishop (James Zannelli), the only man who would feed and shelter him, he finds a way to start a new life and becomes Monsier Madeleine – and eventually the mayor of Montreuil-sur-Mer.
This 25th anniversary of ‘Les Mis’ spares no expense, offering a visual feast from beginning to end. With over 5,000 props and 5,000 costumes, the show brings 1800s France to life, along with the struggle of its people. The scenery is comprised of 55,000 lbs. of meticulously crafted sets and artwork, seamlessly changing from scene to scene.


The music of Les Misérables is fantastic, and the orchestra directed by Lawrence Goldberg during this 25th anniversary tour gives any recording I’ve heard a run for its money. The music starts out strong during the prologue, as we can actually feel the struggle of Jean Valjean through the powerful notes. The rest of the show is narrated beautifully by the music and lyrics performed by the impressive cast.
There is no secret as to why Les Misérables is the longest running musical, seen by over 60 million people worldwide. The struggle and redemption of Jean Valjean is fascinating to watch unfold, as you route for a man who broke the law but did what any other man would do in his situation. Everything about the 25th anniversary tour is fantastic, from the brilliant performances to the unbelievable sets. This show is certainly one you don’t want to miss when it comes through town.