A fresh second revival of “Les Miserables” opened on Broadway on March 23.
The Broadway Channel was there to interview celebrities on the red carpet, including Meredith Vieira of “The Today Show,” as well as theater stars Norm Lewis, Sierra Boggess and Audra McDonald (who’s married to Will Swenson, this production’s Javert).
The “Les Mis” composers, Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Shonberg, were also in attendance.
“If someone had told me in ’87 [during the show’s Broadway debut] that I would be here at another opening of ‘Les Miserables,’ I would not have believed him,” Boublil says. “I know this production is so different from the one everyone knows. And I hope that they will be as enthusiastic as I am about it.”
The stars who play favorite characters such as Jean Valjean (Ramin Karimloo), Eponine (Nikki M. James), Marius (Andy Mientus), Fantine (Caissie Levy) and the Thenardiers (Cliff Saunders, Keala Settle) shared their excitement about the musical at the after-party.
“We have one of the best casts ever assembled for this production, for ‘Les Miserables,'” says Karimloo, who’s making his Broadway debut. “Judging by social media and the reaction we get every night, [audiences] seem to be unanimous about enjoying it.”
“I think that’s why it’s been such a successful musical,” said Levy. “It appeals to everybody.”
Find more behind-the-scenes videos about new Broadway shows — including more “Les Mis” clips — plus theater news and updates on national tours at www.broadwaychannel.com.
T. Michelle Murphy is Metro New York’s theater critic and also serves as a field producer for The Broadway Channel. Follow her on Twitter: @TMichelleMurphy.
