Ogunquit Les Misérables, with McArdle, Rutherford, Landry, Young and Kalehoff, Begins Sept. 10
By Andrew Gans
10 Sep 2008
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Andrea McArdle
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The Ogunquit Playhouse's production of the epic musical Les Misérables begins performances Sept. 10.
Directed by Shaun Kerrison, the Alain Boublil-Claude-Michel Schönberg musical boasts Broadway favorite Andrea McArdle as Fantine with McArdle's daughter, Alexis Kalehoff, as Eponine. Performances will continue at the Maine venue through Oct. 12.
The cast also features Ivan Rutherford as Jean Valjean, Todd Alan Johnson as Javert, Mary Callanan as Madame Thenardier, Ryan Landry as Thenardier, Josh Young as Marius and Josh Tower as Enjolras.
Based on the novel by Victor Hugo, Les Misérables, according to the Ogunquit Playhouse, details "the trials of France's lower class and [exemplifies] the triumph of human spirit. Its uplifting message of hope, its grand epic tale and glorious music has made it [one of] the longest running [musicals] of all time."
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.
Andrea McArdle made her Broadway debut in the original 1977 production of Annie for which she received a Tony nomination for Best Actress in a Musical. Her other Main Stem credits include Les Misérables, Starlight Express, Beauty and the Beast and State Fair. McArdle also played Momma Rose in a production of Gypsy at Texas' Bay Area Houston Ballet & Theatre. Her screen credits include "Annie" and "Rainbow."
Tickets are available by phoning (207) 646-5511 or by visiting OgunquitPlayhouse.
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