Hugh Panaro, that is. A total cutie!

Please forgive me for being a PR shill here kids...


The Walnut Street Theatre Presents an All-New Production of The World’s Most Popular Musical LES MISÉRABLES

PHILADELPHIA, PA: The Walnut Street Theatre concludes its historic 199th season with a landmark new production of LES MISÉRABLES. The Walnut’s “Les Mis” is a fresh new vision of the world’s most popular musical. A new scenic design, re-imagined technical movements and other surprises combine with a breathtaking score that includes such show-stoppers as “One Day More,” “Stars,” “Do you Hear The People Sing?” and “Bring Him Home.” Les Misérables features an outstanding cast filled with both Broadway veterans and Philadelphia favorites. The production starts May 13, opens May 21 and runs through August 3 on the Walnut Street Theatre Mainstage. Already extended by popular demand, LES MISÉRABLES is a monumental ending to the Walnut’s 199th season.

ABOUT THE STORY

Based on Victor Hugo’s classic novel, LES MISÉRABLES is an epic saga that sweeps through three turbulent decades of 19th century French history. The show is also the story of one man, the fugitive Jean Valjean (Hugh Panaro), who is pitted against the tenacious Inspector Javert (Paul Schoeffler), in a lifelong struggle to evade capture. What follows is a deeply personal tale set against a historical backdrop of an unparalleled scale.

Since its celebrated beginnings in 1985, Cameron Mackintosh’s production of Boublil and Schönberg’s legendary musical has played to an international audience of tens of millions, earning its place as the world’s most popular musical. It has been performed in over 26 countries in 14 different languages, capturing more than 50 international theatre awards, including two Grammy Awards and eight Tony Awards, including the 1987 Tony Award for Best Musical. It is the longest running musical in West End history. The Walnut Street Theatre was one of the first self-producing theatres chosen by Mackintosh to create a new concept for the show.

“Les Misérables speaks to the heart of its audience in a way that very few shows have in the history of musical theatre. Its strengths come from the magical grandeur of the production itself combined with the enduring message of Victor Hugo’s classic novel, “Les Misérables.” At its core, it is a tale that reinforces the fact that even though we may have our many differences, it is our longing for freedom that makes us part of both a global community and a truly human family. I am extremely excited to present this wonderful story in a new way that will be a unique experience for Philadelphia theatregoers.”

-Bernard Havard, WST Producing Artistic Director

ABOUT THE DIRECTOR

At the helm of this production is Barrymore Award-Winning Director Mark Clements. The Walnut’s new production of Les Misérables{/I} is the culmination of over a year’s worth of planning, which started before the close of Mark’s previous directorial effort at the Walnut, [I]Of Mice And Men.

I am extremely thrilled about presenting a new look for Les Misérables. Seeing the original cast of Les Mis in London 22 years ago was a key reason for me wanting to become a theatre director. In the right hands, the material can be devastatingly beautiful. I have surrounded myself with the best talent I can muster, and hopefully the results will speak for themselves. I find working on any production a huge challenge, as you always want the final result to feel memorable and vital for the actors and the audience. I hope Philadelphia audiences enjoy what we’ve envisioned.”

-Mark Clements, Director

Mark was honored with the 2007 Barrymore Award for Outstanding Direction of a Play (Of Mice and Men). That same production was also honored with the Barrymore Award for Outstanding Overall Production of a Play. Some of Mark’s previous Walnut Directorial credits include Blood Money, The Rivals, Great Expectations and the 2006 Studio 3 production of The Thing About Men. Mark will be working closely with Music and Vocal Director Douglass G. Lutz, who has been at the helm for many major Walnut musicals, including Peter Pan, Man of La Mancha, 42nd Street and West Side Story among others.

ABOUT THE PRODUCTION TEAM

A seasoned team of designers joins Mark in this endeavor. Todd Edward Ivins revisits the Walnut as Set Designer, bringing with him a monumental new look to Les Misérables. One of the biggest changes (and challenges) of the new production is the removal of the iconic turntable from the mix. Todd’s previous Walnut designs include a Barrymore Nomination for last season’s Of Mice and Men, in addition to Godspell and Studio 3’s The Thing About Men.

New to the Walnut is Lighting Designer Jeff Nellis. Jeff has designed for companies across the nation, including Broadway’s Prymate, Off-Broadway’s Tryst (NY Outer Critics Circle Nomination), in addition to designs for Hartford Stage, Williamstown Theatre Festival, Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, North Shore Musical Repertory Theatre, Los Angeles Opera and others.

Returning to the Walnut is Sound Designer Ryk Lewis, continuing his run of recent Walnut designs that include Windy City, 42nd Street, Carousel, Man of La Mancha and Peter Pan. Colleen Grady, in her eleventh season as Costume Designer and Shop Manager for the Walnut, is throwing everything she has into the design for Les Misérables, creating a fresh look for 30+ actors presenting dozens of different characters.

ABOUT THE CAST

Casting such an enormous show as Les Misérables is no small task. Over the course of 10 months, Casting Directors at the Walnut auditioned over 600 actors here in Philadelphia and elsewhere. After such a long vetting process, the final product is nothing short of amazing. Well-known and loved Philadelphia theatre artists mix with Broadway’s best to create a dynamic cast more than willing to take on the task of presenting Les Misérables in a new way.

At the center of this compassionate tale of love and forgiveness is Jean Valjean, brought to life by Hugh Panaro. Hugh is a Philadelphia native, Temple University alum, recording artist and Broadway vet. He has toured the country with Les Misérables and brought The Phantom to life on Broadway in The Phantom of the Opera from 2003 - 2005. One of Hugh’s first professional productions was right here at the Walnut in our 1988 production of A Little Night Music. He is pursued by Inspector Javert, portrayed by Paul Schoeffler. Paul’s performances at the Walnut have been show-stoppers, including his turns as Don Quixote in Man of La Mancha and Captain Hook in Peter Pan.

The cast of Les Misérables is a veritable who’s who of Philadelphia and New York talent, including Jessica Boevers (The Walnut’s Philadelphia Story, La Vie En Bleu) as Fantine; Jeffrey Coon (Carousel, Beauty and the Beast) as Enjolras; Julie Craig as Cosette; Christina DeCicco (West Side Story, Beauty and the Beast and the National Tour of Wicked) as Eponine; Ben Dibble; Kelley Faulkner; Constantine Germanacos; Scott Greer (Of Mice and Men) as Thenardier; Darren Michael Hengst; Danielle Herbert; Joe Jackson; Mary Martello; Michael Philip O’Brien; Katie O’Shaughnessey; Steve Pacek; Jennifer Page; Fran Prisco; Ilona Rubenstien; Nicholas F. Saverine; Peter Schmitz as The Bishop; Abigail Sparrow; Dawn Spence as Madame Thenardier; Denise Whelan and Josh Young as Marius. The smaller members of our cast (in size) include Gianna Bruzzese and Laurel Gwynne Yaros as Young Costette, Danielle Rosenthal and Maggie Fitzgerald as young Eponine, and Brandon O’Rourke and Dante Mignucci as Gavroche. Extras include John Greenbaum, Mark Murphy, Joe O’Brien and CJ Sikorski.

Les Misérables runs at the Walnut from May 13 – August 3, 2008. This production is sponsored by Progressive Business Publications. Media Sponsors are B101 and NBC 10. For tickets and information, call 215-574-3550 or 215-336-1234. Tickets are also available online 24/7 by visiting WalnutStreetTheatre.org or Ticketmaster. Visit LesMisPhilly.comfor more information, including production facts and interviews with cast and crew.

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JUST THE FACTS

WHAT:LES MISÉRABLES
A musical by ALAIN BOUBLIL and CLAUDE-MICHEL SCHÖNBERG
Based on the novel by VICTOR HUGO
Music by CLAUDE-MICHEL SCHÖNBERG
Lyrics by HERBERT KRETZMER
Original French text by ALAIN BOUBLIL and JEAN-MARC NATEL
Additional material by JAMES FENTON
Adapted and originally directed by TREVOR NUNN and JOHN CAIRD
Orchestrations by JOHN CAMERON
Original London production by CAMERON MACKINTOSH and
THE ROYAL SHAKESPEARE COMPANY

WHEN: MAY 13 – AUG. 3, 2008 (Press opening: Wed, May 21 @ 7PM)

WHERE: Walnut Street Theatre
825 Walnut Street
Philadelphia , PA 19107

TICKETS:$10 - $70.00
CURTAIN: Tuesday Thru Saturday Evenings at 8PM
Sunday Eve. at 7PM (5/18, 5/25, 6/1, 6/8, 6/22, 7/6, 7/13, 7/20, 7/27, 8/3) Sat. Mat. at 2PM (5/17, 5/24, 6/7, 6/14, 6/21, 6/28, 7/5, 7/12, 7/19, 7/26) Sunday Matinees at 2PM Thursday Matinees at 2PM (5/29, 6/5, 6/12, 6/26, 7/3, 7/31)

ASL Performance on Tuesday, July 8 at 8PM No performance on Friday, July 4 (Independence Day)
PHONE: 215-574-3550 or 215-336-1234
WEBSITE:http:// www.walnutstreettheatre.org or ticketmaster
Also visit www.LesMisPhilly.com

PRODUCTION AND DESIGN STAFF
Director: MARK CLEMENTS
Assistant Director: MEGAN NICOLE O’BRIEN
Assistant Director: STEVE PACEK*
Music and Vocal Director: DOUGLASS G. LUTZ
Set Design: TODD EDWARD IVINS
Lighting Design: JEFF NELLIS
Costume Design: COLLEEN GRADY
Sound Design: RYK LEWIS
Rehearsal Pianist: ERIC EBBENGA
Fight Director: DARREN MICHAEL HENGST*
Stage Managers: LORI AGHAZARIAN*, DEBI MARCUCCI*

THE CAST

Jean Valjean…………………….……................................…HUGH PANARO*
Javert…………………...................................PAUL SCHOEFFLER*
The Bishop of Digne....…….…….................…….PETER SCHMITZ*
Fantine…………………............................….....JESSICA BOGART*
Young Cosette……….GIANNA BRUZZESE†, LAUREL GWYNNE YAROS‡
Madame Thenardier……............................….…DAWN SPENCE*
Thenardier….…...…….…...........................……….SCOTT GREER*
Young Eponine……….DANIELLE ROSENTHAL†, MAGGIE FITZGERALD‡
Gavroche..............................BRANDON O’ROURKE†, DANTE MIGNUCCI‡
Eponine……………..……..............................CHRISTINA DeCICCO*
Enjolras………......................................JEFFREY COON*
Marius………………...............................……………….….JOSH YOUNG*
Cosette………………..…………..…...........................…..JULIE CRAIG*

ENSEMBLE

JESSICA BOGART*, GIANNA BRUZZESE†, JEFFREY COON*, JULIE CRAIG*, CHRISTINA DeCICCO*, BEN DIBBLE*, KELLEY FAULKNER*,
MAGGIE FITZGERALD‡, CONSTANTINE GERMANACOS*, SCOTT GREER*,
DARREN MICHAEL HENGST*, DANIELLE HERBERT*, JOE JACKSON*,
MARY MARTELLO*, DANTE MIGNUCCI‡, MICHAEL PHILIP O’BRIEN*,
BRANDON O’ROURKE†, KATIE O’SHAUGHNESSEY*, STEVE PACEK*,
JENNIFER PAGE, FRAN PRISCO*, DANIELLE ROSENTHAL†,
ILONA RUBENSTEIN, NICHOLAS F. SAVERINE*, PETER SCHMITZ*,
ABIGAIL SPARROW, DAWN SPENCE*, DENISE WHELAN*,
LAUREL GWYNNE YAROS‡, JOSH YOUNG*

EXTRAS
JOHN GREENBAUM, MARK MURPHY, JOE O’BRIEN, CJ SIKORSKI
UNDERSTUDIES (partial list)
JEFFREY COON* (Jean Valjean: 2nd Cover thru 7/20, 1st cover after 7/20)
BEN DIBBLE* (Enjolras), CONSTANTINE GERMANACOS* (Marius),
JOHN GREENBAUM, MARK MURPHY, JOE O’BRIEN, STEVE POLLACK,
NICHOLAS F. SAVERINE *(Jean Valjean: 1st cover thru 7/20), CJ SIKORSKI

† Performs Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings and Thursday matinees.
‡ Performs Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings, Saturday and Sunday matinees.
*Denotes membership in Actors’ Equity Association, the union of professional actors and stage managers in the United States .

Well, you certainly know how to get a gal's attention on this board!

Good one Andrew.

Margie

You're forgiven, Andrew. I've enjoyed HP's performances over years, including his not-so-nice boyfriend role in the movie BROADWAY DAMAGE. He was the main reason I went to see LESTAT. Hope LES MIZ has a good engagement in Philly.

And it's nice to have you back on the board!

Ellen

Hello again, Andrew

I saw Hugh P a very long time ago in Les Miserables on Broadway ( some 20 years ago, I think) -- but as the angelic-looking Marius

Years later, he sang "Music of the Night" ( for Phantom) at the Shubert Alley open air concert and his voice had become more impressive.

Er...I wouldn't mind seeing the other Hugh as Valjean if Cameron Mackintosh ever get to go ahead with the filmization of the stage musical

Jo

I know some Broadway insiders have a bone to pick with Hugh...actually, I should say the anonymous Broadway "hanger-ons" at other websites. But I will not hear a word spoken against him. He is wonderful, courteous, charming, benevolent, handsome and and focused. He's going to be giving the performance of his career here. Scratch that, the whole cast will.

I dreamed a dream that one day more I'd work with such a great cast. This production will be impressive. If you are in the Philadelphia area, GET YOUR TICKETS NOW!!! You have no excuse to not see some of Broadway's best here in the most popular musical in the world!

quote:

He is wonderful, courteous, charming, benevolent, handsome and and focused. He's going to be giving the performance of his career here. Scratch that, the whole cast will.

I wish I could see this, but I can't. I look forward to your report. When are you going?

The Les Mis page of Hugh Panaro's website. Click around to other pages. There are some nice videos of him singing and talking to his fans.

I saw Hugh as The Phantom of The Opera the night before I saw "the other Hugh" host The Tony Awards. I'd gotten to my seat "just in time" so I had not read my program. (The cast didn't really matter to me, I just wanted to see the show again.) At the end of the Curtain Call a number of women in the balcony started yelling to him -- "Hugh, we love you!" (Were they OZalots? I looked all around. Hugh? Is *Hugh* here???) Mr. Panaro smiled and waved to them. He was absolutely adorable... and even under that mask you could see he was blushing. LOL

He's a stunningly gorgeous, talented man with a fabulous voice.

Enjoy it, Andrew. I'm totally jealous.

I saw the dress rehearsal on Sunday and I second acted the first preview last night. The show got a standing ovation. It's pretty incredible, though very rough right now. That's to be expected.

The whole cast is exceptional, the costumes and sets are breathtaking, and the direction is perfection.

This is not a regional theatre show. This is a Broadway show. And it's a totally different Les Mis than you've ever seen.

And of course, Hugh Panaro is a wonderful Jean Valjean.

Can't give a detailed review yet, since what I've seen so far is definitely not the finished product. I have to watch it tonight too. But I'll give a review next Thursday while I'm recovering from the opening night festivities.

quote:

This is not a regional theatre show. This is a Broadway show.

Can't wait to hear all about it. Have a great time!

LES MISERABLES is now playing at the Walnut Street Theatre until August 3rd. I have seen the show 3 times(!) already and it is beyond exceptional. The cast, the set, the costumes, the lighting, the orchestra...it is one of the biggest shows to hit this city and it IS a product of our great city. This is NOT a touring production.

Check out these awesome pics from rehearsal. http://media.phillyburbs.com/bcct/photogallery/lesmis/

I'll post more pics when we get them.

A poster on allthatchat gave it a really big thumbs-up today. Lots of plaudits to Hugh Panaro, too.

Ellen

This our first year to get a season package at the Walnut. What a deal it has been. The quality of the shows are excellent.We saw Les Mis last night. Hugh Panaro was very good. But who blew me away again was Paul Schoeffler. This is the 3rd show this season we've seen him at the Walnut.His voice is beautiful and powerful.Needless to say we've already got our tickets for next season.Looking forward to State Fair,Streetcar named desire,Hairspray,Producers. Not too shabby for old Philly. Joann