Les Miz will play the Texas venue March 24-April 5, 2009. TUTS is one of a few theatre companies licensed to produce the international hit until the rights become available again in 2013.
In a statement TUTS president and CEO John Breckenridge said, "Les Miserables is one of the finest modern musicals and is a show our patrons have requested many, many times. . . .In order to lock in Les Miserables we needed to reposition another show." That show, Meet Me In St Louis, will be rescheduled for an upcoming season.
"Set in early 19th century France," press notes state, "Les Miserables is the tale of reformed convict Jean Valjean, who conceals his true identity in hopes of forging a new life, Inspector Javert who relentlessly pursues him, and Fantine, the single working mother forced into prostitution to provide for her daughter Cosette."
Originally produced by Cameron Mackintosh, Les Miserables was penned by Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg, based on the classic novel by Victor Hugo. It features music by Claude-Michel Schönberg, lyrics by Herbert Kretzmer, with original French text by Alain Boublil and Jean-Marc Natel and additional material by James Fenton.
Les Miz was first presented by Cameron Mackintosh and The Royal Shakespeare Company at the Barbican Theatre in October 1985. The musical transferred to the West End's Palace Theatre later that year, where it played for 19 years. The production transferred to the Queen's Theatre in April 2004, where it continues today. The original Broadway production — directed and adapted by Trevor Nunn and John Caird with Richard Jay-Alexander as associate director — ran March 12, 1987-May 18, 2003. The musical won eight 1987 Tony Awards, including Best Musical. The recent Broadway revival — also directed by Caird — played Nov. 9, 2006-Jan. 6, 2008.
The beloved score includes such tunes as "Bring Him Home," "I Dreamed a Dream," "On My Own," "Empty Chairs at Empty Tables," " Master of the House," "Castle on a Cloud," "Do You Hear the People Sing?" and "One Day More.
Single tickets for Les Miz will go on sale Nov. 23 by calling (713) 558-8887 or (888) 558-3882 or by visiting www.tuts.com.
