Philip Hernandez, the only actor who has played both Inspector Javert (1998-99) and his quarry, Jean Valjean (1995-96), in Broadway's Les Misérables, returns to the role of monomaniacal Javert in the New York staging of the megahit Nov. 20. Hernandez joins the troupe direct from the national tour, replacing Shuler Hensley, whose next gig is Cameron Mackintosh's Broadway staging of the London revival of Oklahoma!, beginning previews Feb. 23, 2002. Hensley's last plunge as Javert was Nov. 17.
Hernandez recently played Rico in the national tour of Barry Manilow's Copacabana and is founder and executive producer of New York's Judith Shakespeare Company.
Les Misérables — the English-and-French-created musical based on the Victor Hugo novel — continues at the Imperial Theatre, 249 W. 45th Street, in Manhattan. Call (212) 239-6200 for tickets.
