Les Misérables, also known as Les Mis, or Les Miz, is a musical based on the same-titled book by Victor Hugo (1862). It premiered in Paris in 1980, has run continuously in London since 1985, and first opened as a pre-Broadway tryout in December 1986, eventually premiering on Broadway in March 1987. After 6,680 performances, Les Misérables closed in May 2003.
The show is set in early 19th-century France, and tells the story of Jean Valjean, a peasant, who is sentenced to prison for stealing a loaf of bread in order to help feed his sister’s starving child. Valjean escapes and is relentlessly hunted by a police inspector, Javert. Valjean and others are swept up into the revolution, where a group of young idealists make their last stand.
Here is a clip from the 1987 Tony Awards program.
At the end of the day you’re another day older
And that’s all you can say for the life of the poor
It’s a struggle, it’s a war
And there’s nothing that anyone’s giving
One more day standing about, what is it for?
One day less to be living.
Favorite, favorite, favorite! And I have yet to see anyone do Jean Valjean as well as Colm Wilkinson. I fell in love with that man! My favorite song from this movie? “Bring Him Home.” It was stuck in at the last moment, like a day or two before the opening. When Wilkinson sang it in rehearsal the very first time there was not a dry eye in the place. LOVE that story. Was so tickled when he got to play the priest in the movie with Hugh Jackman.
Calen~
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Does it get any better than Les Miserables. I don’t go out much, and even I bought tickets to this. Great choice.
Thanks, Jacqui. One of my favorites, for sure!
Hi Martha – I’ve seen the film and often seen clips about the musical … it’s an amazing telling of a story … with wonderful music .. cheers Hilary
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Thanks, Hilary!
Definitely a favorite. I have seen it on stage in Dallas and Ft. Worth about 6 to 8 times. I lost count a while back. I loved the movie, too, but think the stage is best. It’s one of those where I know all the words and notes. Yes, I read a translation of the book, too. And toured Mr. Hugo’s house in Place des Vosges in Paris. Yup, I’m a fan.
Forgiveness and Redemption…My all time favorite musical !!! ❤
Yes! Timeless. It gives me chills, every time.
I have seen this one on stage. Good pick. There is a Sesame Street spoof of this play with Cookie Monster.
I’ve seen it on stage, too, Denise. Both the stage production and the movie were excellent, in my opinion.
Good pick. Les Mis is powerful, epic, passionate, inspirational, and revolutionary. It is such an emotional musical with this incredible underlying spirituality. It is such an incredible and complex storyline.
Yes! All those things! It moves me. Thank you.
The story of hope, compassion, love, sacrifice, forgiveness, humanity, redemption and those themes are why its uplifting. Les Mis truly changed the way I view musicals