Producer Cameron Mackintosh announced Jan. 30 that Les Misérables, which previously announced a closing date of March 15, will extend its Broadway run by an additional nine weeks through Sunday May 18 only.

The final five performances (May 15-18) have been taken off sale until final performance events have been finalized.

Ticket sales for the musical have "soared" since the closing was announced in October of last year, according to the producer. Mackintosh promises this will be the only extension for this historic production, as the Broadway set is due in Berlin for a production of Les Miz.

Additionally, a restoration of The Imperial Theatre must be completed prior to the fall opening of the new musical, The Boy From Oz.

Mackintiosh said in a statement: "Les Miserables continues to surprise me with its extraordinary ability to attract new audiences that never fail to fall under its emotional spell. For the numerous people who've written to me saying they can't visit Broadway to see the show again until the spring, this will be an extra opportunity for them to say, 'Au Revoir.'" Coinciding with the musical's final weeks, two-time Tony Award nominee and Broadway's original Inspector Javert, Terrence Mann, returns to the role beginning Tuesday, Feb. 4 for a limited time. There has been talk for weeks that Colm Wilkinson has been wooed to return to the role of Valjean, but no such casting has been announced.

Complete details for the closing celebrations of the megahit will be announced in the coming weeks.

For ticket information, call Tele-charge at (212) 239-6200. Les Miz plays 7 PM Tuesdays, 8 PM Wednesday- Saturday, 2 PM Wednesday and Saturday and 3 PM Sunday.

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The show celebrates its 16th anniversary on March 12.

Produced by Cameron Mackintosh, Les Miz, based on the Victor Hugo novel, is by Alain Boublil & Claude-Michel Schönberg. It features music by Claude Michel Schönberg, lyrics by Herbert Kretzmer, with original French text by Alain Boublil & Jean-Marc Natel and additional material by James Fenton. Directed by Trevor Nunn & John Caird, the musical is designed by John Napier with lighting by David Hersey, costumes by Andreane Neofitou and sound by Andrew Bruce.

The current Broadway cast includes J. Mark McVey (Jean Valjean), David Masenheimer (Javert, original Broadway cast member Terrence Mann returns Feb. 4), Lauren Kennedy (Fantine), Kevin Kern (Marius), Diana Kaarina (Eponine), Sandra Turley (Cosette), Christopher Mark Peterson (Enjolras), Nick Wyman (Thénardier) and Aymee Garcia (Madame Thénardier).