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Les
Miserables
Les Miserables
is a dramatic epic told in song, with very little spoken word. Its story covers
a span of several years and involves a vast array of characters. Therefore, in
performing the piece, we will be using an ensemble cast of singing actors, most
of which will appear in multiple roles. Thus, versatile character performers
are necessary. There are tracks for 17 boys and 14 girls, plus a large chorus.
(All information is subject to change at the discretion of the creative team.)
The breakdown is as follows:
Jean Valjean:
A tour-de-force role, combining strong vocals with a powerful range of
emotions. The ex-convict Valjean is the center of Les Miserables.
During the course of the story, he transforms from a hateful vagrant to a
compassionate benefactor of the poor and selfless - in the process, defying the
social and legal boundaries of early 19th century France.
Javert:
The misguided antagonist. Javert pursues ex-convict Valjean across the years,
always insisting that the law must be followed to the letter with no room for
mercy or forgiveness. A child of the gutter, Javert pulls himself up through
the ranks of the police system, only to discover that his philosophy does not
stand up to Valjean's mercy.
Fantine:
A beautiful young woman of a provincial background. She is dismissed from her
job at Valjean's factory because she is hiding and supporting her illegitimate
daughter. A woman who has suffered the loss of every ideal she ever held,
Fantine literally sacrifices her life to ensure the well-being of her child.
Doubles in the ensemble.
Marius:
A former law student and member of the ABC Society, Marius has been disowned by
his wealthy grandfather for differing political views. He is honorable,
sensitive, intelligent, and unaware of his good looks. Marius falls in love
with Cosette, never fully knowing of Eponine's love for him. Believing his
future with Cosette to be doomed, he chooses to fight with his comrades on the
barricade. Doubles in the ensemble.
Thenardier:
The villain. Thenardier is a roguish ex-soldier who will do anything to come
out on top. An accomplished liar with a surprising amount of charm, he is
disgusting, abusive, and completely devoid of morals. Knows how to do a little
of everything, badly. Deep down, he is a man who has lost all hope. Doubles in
the ensemble.
Madame Thenardier:
The villainess, the perfect compliment to her husband. A hopeless romantic,
life has not turned out the way she planned. She ignores Gavroche because he is
a boy, doting instead on Eponine, but only when it is convenient. Brutish and
coarse. Doubles in the ensemble.
Eponine:
The Thenardiers' daughter as a young woman. No longer living in the comfort of
her childhood, Eponine has become a street-smart urchin, without adopting the
ruthless cruelty of her parents. She is hopelessly in love with Marius, who
never sees her as more than a friend. Time and poverty have allowed Eponine to
sharpen her fierce intelligence. Doubles in the ensemble.
Cosette:
Fantine's daughter as a young woman. Despite spending her first years in
poverty, Cosette has grown up in comfortable seclusion with her adoptive
grandfather, Valjean. She knows little of their past and yearns to know more.
When she falls in love with Marius, she feels her life beginning to take shape.
Doubles in the ensemble.
Enjolras:
The only son of a wealthy family, Enjolras is the charismatic leader of the ABC
Society. He is incredibly handsome and charming, but shows no interest in women
- his only love is liberty for the people. Warlike and just, Enjolras is always
serious, at times severe, especially to his complete opposite, Grantaire.
Doubles in the ensemble.
Gavroche:
The abandoned son of the Thenardiers, Gavroche is the ultimate street urchin.
He looks up to the students, and would do literally anything for them. Has deep
disdain for his parents, but admires his sister, Eponine. Gavroche is a little
boy with a big presence. He knows no fear.
Bishop of Digne / Lesgles:
The Bishop of Digne inspires Valjean to become an honest man. Originally of an
aristocratic family, he lives in voluntary poverty. He is generous, wise,
fearless, and merciful, well beyond the standards of the times. Lesgles is a
law student (sometimes) and a member of the ABC Society. He is chronically
unlucky, succeeding in nothing. Having nowhere to live, he stays with his best
friend, Joly. Despite his misfortune, Lesgles is always cheerful, secure in his
impending doom. He is bald. Doubles in the ensemble. May understudy other
principal roles.
Young Cosette:
Fantine's daughter as a little girl. Dressed in rags, she is the icon of Les
Miserables. Cosette lives in misery as the slave of the Thenardiers.
Young Eponine:
The Thenardiers' daughter as a little girl. Well-dressed and spoiled, she
echoes her mother's viciousness toward Young Cosette. Understudies the role of
Young Cosette.
Bamatabois / Grantaire:
Bamatabois is a young country gentleman who provokes Fantine to attack him.
Lazy, irresponsible, and vicious. Grantaire is the skeptical member of the ABC
Society, taking great care not to believe in anything. A bitter alcoholic, he
only stays with the group because of his utter obsession with Enjolras, his
complete opposite. Doubles in various ensemble roles. May understudy principal
roles.
Foreman / Combeferre:
The Foreman is the rough, chauvinistic supervisor in Valjean's factory. He is
used to getting his way with women, so when Fantine turns him down, he finds the
next opportunity to dismiss her. Combeferre is the philosophical member of the
ABC Society. More humane than Enjolras, he is deeply devoted to the education
of all people. Doubles in various ensemble roles. May understudy a principal
role.
Farmer / Courfeyrac:
The Farmer gives Valjean temporary work, but due to Valjean's past as a convict,
he treats Valjean as inferior to the other labourers. Courfeyrac is the
youngest member of the ABC Society. He is witty and playful on the surface,
but underneath he is honorable and very brave. Courfeyrac is the warm social
center of the group. Doubles in various ensemble roles.
Joly:
A medical student and a member of the ABC Society, Joly is the jolliest member
of the group. He is also a first-rate hypochondriac. His best friend is
Lesgles. Doubles in various ensemble roles. May understudy a principal role.
Feuilly:
A craftsman and member of the ABC Society. Feuilly is self-taught and
hard-working. An orphan. His heart is immensely generous - his ambition is to
deliver the world from oppression. Feuilly is a Nationalist, not just for
France but for all countries. Doubles in various ensemble roles. May
understudy principal roles.
Jean Prouvaire:
The artistic member of the ABC Society. Also the only son of a wealthy family,
Prouvaire is delicate but in a manly way. He is devoutly religious.
Soft-spoken, shy, even awkward, but fearless in the face of danger. Doubles in
various ensemble roles. May understudy a principal role.
Labourer / Montparnasse:
The Labourer works on a farm where Valjean finds temporary work. Since he is an
honest man and a hard worker, he believes himself superior to Valjean, an
ex-convict. Montparnasse is a member of Thenardier's gang in Paris. He is
hardened killer, despite his young age. Maintaining his vanity has given him
motive to kill. Extremely good-looking, he has a past with Eponine. Doubles
in various ensemble roles.
Babet:
is a member of Thenardier's gang in Paris. Thin, learned, and a jack of all
trades. Always looking for an opportunity to make money, Babet is driven by
utter selfishness. Doubles in various ensemble roles. May understudy a
principal role.
Brujon:
is a member of Thenardier's gang in Paris. Cunning and excitable, he is always
plotting and organizing. Crime is a game to Brujon. Thus, he is a member of
several gangs. Doubles in various ensemble roles. May understudy a principal
role.
Pimp / Fauchelevent / Claquesous:
The Pimp is the greasy procurer who recruits Fantine into prostitution. He has
seen everything, and is surprised by nothing. Fauchelevent is an elderly
cart-driver, rescued by Valjean from a terrible accident. Claquesous is a
member of Thenardier's gang in Paris. A shadowy, mysterious figure, he is
always masked. No one is quite sure of his true identity. Doubles in various
ensemble roles. May understudy a principal role.
Women (8):
The female supporters of the student insurrection. When the barricade falls,
they are the ones left to pick up the pieces and move on with life. Versatile
character performers of different types. Double in various ensemble roles. May
understudy principal roles.
Large Chorus (around 25):
A group of singers, to play the beggars of Paris, among other roles. Besides
being vocally strong, these performers will bring character to the larger
scenes. Swings and some understudies will be chosen from this group.
Please contact
muse@fallbrooktheater.com
or call 760-728-0998 for more information! |
