Les Misérables has been a showstopping musical since its pre-Broadway run at the Kennedy Center in 1986. Now it is one of the most well-known and beloved musicals to grace the stage, enthralling audiences with tales of love, passion, sacrifice, and redemption. With its return, directors Laurence Conner and James Powell and the entire cast, crew, and orchestra remind audiences why this musical is such a timeless one — it carries an important testament about the resilience of the human spirit, a resilience that persists today through the tumultuous times we live in.
Originally based on the novel by Victor Hugo, Boubill and Schönberg’s musical sets us in 19th-century France, where we follow Jean Valjean, a former convict who breaks parole and struggles to redeem his life while being relentlessly pursued by the lawman Javert. After adopting a new identity, Valjean becomes a respected mayor and factory owner but is forced to flee when his past is discovered. He promises a dying woman, Fantine, that he will care for her daughter, Cosette, whom he raises as his own. As Cosette grows up and falls in love with the revolutionary Marius, Valjean becomes entangled in a student uprising in Paris. This uprising compels all the characters to confront the truths of their lives, for better or for worse, while fighting for what they believe is right.
The cast of this performance delivered stellar performances, showcasing the emotional depth of their characters through a seamless blend of sorrow and joy, laughter and tears. All the actors had beautiful and powerful voices that filled the stage with tenacity — from the leads to the ensemble and the children. Their relationships are well built; even as they sing lines or hold the fort in the background, there is always something to see and love happening onstage.
[Editor’s note: No cast list was available — either online or in a printed program — for the evening performance on June 12 that our reviewer attended. Several cast members boycotted the performance the night before, when President Trump attended, and DCTA respects the production’s decision not to disclose their identities.]
[Actor Name] as Jean Valjean showcased an impressive range, shifting seamlessly from powerhouse songs like “Soliloquy” to the soft and gentle tones in “Bring Him Home,” further highlighting Valjean’s growth. [Actor Name] delivered a masterful performance as Javert, continually capturing the audience’s attention on stage with authority. [Actor Name] breaks the audience’s hearts immediately in “I Dreamed a Dream” as Fantine, overflowing with vulnerability and stellar vocals all at once. [Actor Name] as Cosette, [Actor Name] as Eponine, and [Actor Name] as Marius blend their voices together in magnificent harmony as their characters tackle love, unrequited or otherwise.
Monsieur and Madame Thenardier, played by [Actor Name] and [Actor Name], deliver much-needed comedy with their elaborate schemes and instant chemistry with the audience. Company numbers such as “One Day More” fill the theater with captivating harmonies and strong vocals, bolstering the themes of hope and resilience as they all stand as one. To top it all off, the orchestra, conducted by Glenn Alexander II, enhances the cast’s performances with seamless song transitions and musical direction.
With minimal and mobile sets designed by Matt Kinley, actors can fill the space with their vocals and performances while still interacting with the sets and each other in a way that feels believable. The sets, though not elaborate or distracting, still use the grandeur of the stage they on to their advantage, such as with the staging of the barricade. Projections are also used to depict certain settings or the passage of time, enhancing the overall performance without detracting from the actors’ work.
Les Misérables is a timeless testament to the idea that real change requires addressing the root causes of inequality and injustice. With all the horrors and injustices that persist in this country and around the world, that message has never been more important. This incredible team of actors, crew, and production uses the power of musical theatre to remind us that we can overcome adversity with the power of love, compassion, and raising our voices for all to hear.
Running time: Approximately three hours, including one intermission.
Les Misérables plays through July 13, 2025, in The Opera House at the John F. Kennedy Center, 2700 F St. NW, Washington, DC. For the schedule and to purchase tickets ($49–$275), go online, contact the Box Office at (202) 467-4600, or visit TodayTix.
The program for the national tour of Les Misérables is online here.
COVID Safety: Masks are optional in all Kennedy Center spaces for visitors and staff. If you prefer to wear a mask, you are welcome to do so.
SEE ALSO:
The enduring magnificence of ‘Les Misérables,’ now at Kennedy Center (review by John Stoltenberg, April 14, 2023)
