Lindsay Heather Pearce Photo by Matthew Murphy

The story is set primarily in Paris and centers around escaped convict Jean Valjean on the eve of the Paris Uprising of 1832. Valjean strives to live as a good man and raise his adopted daughter Cosette in love, while evading the long arm of the law represented by Javert. Meanwhile, idealistic university students pursue a doomed revolution against the crown. Every seemingly disparate branch of the narrative intertwines to form a cohesive, sweeping story.

The current North American tour now on stage at the Orpheum in Minneapolis began in 2022, and since then Nick Cartell has played the leading role of Jean Valjean more than 1,500 times. However, on opening night in Minneapolis, the role was played by understudy Randy Jeter. I have seen both Jeter and Cartell in past performances and, in my estimation, Cartell has retained the role for so long for good reason. That being said, Jeter gave a skilled and emotional portrayal of the protagonist. Along with Valjean and several small roles, Cosette and Thénardier were also played by capable understudies, Eden Mau and Kyle Adams, respectively. Mau's acting and vocalizing brought a stronger personality to Cosette that I've typically seen, an enjoyable change of pace.

Standout performances from the regular cast must begin with Hayden Tee as Javert. He is utterly convincing in his portrayal of a morally complex character, and his renditions of "Stars" and "Soliloquy" are outstanding. Peter Neureuther is excellent, depicting a Marius who seems wisely uncertain in his commitment to revolution in the face of new love. This regret is beautifully expressed in "Empty Chairs at Empty Tables." His voice also blends well with Mau's in "In My Life" and "A Heart Full of Love." On the other side of the emotional spectrum, Victoria Huston-Elem brings a great talent for physical and vocal comedy to the role of Madame Thénardier.

The cast is rounded out well. Jaedynn Latter balances the feisty and forlorn role of Eponine expertly, Lindsay Heather Pearce delivers a moving "Come to Me" as Fantine, and Christian Mark Gibbs brings a fierce passion to Enjolras. All have excellent vocals. The young cast at this performance–Cree-Silver Corley as Gavroche, Kayla Scola-Giampapa and Young Éponine, and Lillian Castner as Little Cosette–are great. Corley is especially noteworthy as a punchy Gavroche.

Even acknowledging the excellent performances by individuals, the moments Les Misérables shines brightest may well be the full cast numbers "At the End of the Day," "Do You Hear the People Sing," "One Day More," and the "Finale." These are all fantastic, brought to life by Claude-Michel Schönberg's justifiably iconic music and Herbert Kretzmer's lyrics, with an updated set designed by Matt Kinley. Paule Constable's lighting improves upon an already highly effective set. The original costume designs by Andreane Neofitou, with additional costumes by Christine Rowland and Paul Wills, suit the time and place, as well as the background of each character.

Although Les Misérables has played at the Orpheum many times over the years, it is possible the story has never been more relevant than in February 2026–especially in Minneapolis, where the community has been actively grappling with the conflict between rigid legal regulations and the real complexity of the people who make up our communities. Is it justice to pursue the course of law over one desperate action, even in a life dedicated primarily to goodness? Who gets to decide which people belong in our communities? And, how can communities respond to injustice without destroying themselves in the process? Les Misérables does not answer these questions within its narrative, let alone within ours, but it does demonstrate the importance of asking them.

Les Misérables runs through February 22, 2026, at the Orpheum Theatre, 910 Hennepin Avenue, Minneapolis MN. For ticket and information, please visit hennepintheatretrust.org or call 612-339-7007. The tour's next destination is Winnipeg, MB, Canada. For information on the tour, visit us-tour.lesmis.com.

Music: Claude-Michel Schönberg; Lyrics: Herbert Kretzmer; Original French text by Alain Boublil and Jean-Marc Natel; Additional material: James Fenton; Adaptation from the novel by Victor Hugo: Trevor Nunn and John Caird; Directors: Laurence Connor and James Powell; Musical Staging: Geoffrey Garratt; New Orchestrations: Stephen Metcalfe, Christopher Jahnke and Stephen Brooker; Original Orchestrations: John Cameron; Set and Image Design: Matt Kinley; Projections: Finn Ross and Fifty-Nine Productions; Original Costume Design: Andreane Neofitou; Additional Costume Design: Christine Rowland and Paul Wills; Lighting Design: Paule Constable; Sound Design: Mick Potter; Wigs, Hair and Makeup Design: Stefan Musch; Music Supervision: Brian Taylor; Music Director and Conductor: Will Curry; Musical Supervision: Stephen Brooker and James Moore; Casting: Felicia Rudolph, CA, Merri Sugarman, CSA for Tara Rubin Casting; Resident Director; Brendan Stackhouse; Associate Director Corey Agnew; Musical Staging Associate: Jesse Robb.

Cast: Kyle Adam (Grantaire/Major Domo), Colin Anderson (Combeferre), David Andino (Bamatabois/Babet), Thomas Beeker (Constable/Montparnasse), Daniel Gerard Bittner (Laborer/Feuilly), Julie Cardia (swing), Nick Cartell (Jean Valjean), Lillian Castner *(Little Cosette/Young Éponine), Cree-Silver Corley *(Gavroche), Matt Crowle (Thénardier), Steve Czarnecki (Farmer/Factory Foreman), Christian Engelhardt (Fauchelevent/Joly), Anthony Festa (Champmathieu), Nicole Fragala (ensemble), Kenneth Quinney Francoeur (swing), Christian Mark Gibbs (Enjolras), Gillian Hassert (ensemble), Victoria Huston-Elem (Madame Thénardier), Randy Jeter (Bishop of Digne/Lesgles/Loud Hailer), Jaedynn Latter (Éponine), Alexa Lopez (Cosette), Danny Martin (Courfeyrac), Mikako Martin (swing), Eden Mau (ensemble), Paige McNamara (Factory Girl), Nicole Morris (swing), Ashley Dawn Mortensen (swing), Peter Neureuther (Marius), Sarah Pansing (Old Woman), Gracie Annabelle Parker (Innkeeper's Wife), Nicholas Pattarini (swing), Lindsay Heather Pearce (Fantine), Juliette Redden (Wigmaker), Adam Richardson (Innkeeper/Claquesous), Christopher Robin Sapp (swing), Matt Rosell (swing), Ian Saverin (Constable/Jean Prouvaire), Kayle Scola-Giampapa *(Little Cosette/Young Eponine), Kaitlyn Sumner (ensemble), Zeya Grace Swecker (ensemble), Hayden Tee (Javert), Rocco Van Auken *(Gavroche), Lamont J. Whitaker (swing). *alternating performances