NEW YORK – When “Les Misérables” arrives on Broadway next March, it will find a familiar home.
Mega-producer Cameron Mackintosh said Thursday that the current U.S. tour of “Les Misérables” – which began in 2010 and is currently in Sacramento, Calif. – will land at New York City’s Imperial Theatre, the show’s former home on Broadway for nearly 13 years.
The re-imagined story will begin previews March 1 with an official opening night set for March 23. Producers said the casting process for the new production has begun and will be completed later this summer.
The show marks the third time the show has made it to Broadway. The original landed in 1987, first at the Broadway Theatre before moving to the Imperial three years later. It played a total of 6,680 performances, ranking as the third-longest-running musical in Broadway history.
A revival was mounted in 2006 at the Broadhurst Theatre but closed in 2008.
Victor Hugo’s story about a decades-long manhunt, social inequality and redemption features the songs “I Dreamed a Dream,” ‘’On My Own,” “Do You Hear the People Sing?” and “One Day More.” Single ticket sales will begin in September.
It has been seen by nearly 65 million people worldwide in 42 countries and in 22 languages. There is a production based in London, and versions in Japan and South Korea. Shows in Canada, Australia and Spain are being worked on.
The Oscar-nominated big screen adaptation directed by Tom Hooper and starring Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe and Anne Hathaway was hailed for bringing the camera very close and for having the actors sing live.
The Imperial Theatre is currently home to “Nice Work If You Can Get It,” which is due to close in mid-June, and is next to house the return of Billy Crystal’s “700 Sundays” this winter.
