Bernard Havard, WST's producing artistic director, announced it will stage the international sensation as part of the Walnut's 2007-08 season. The production will open on May 21, 2008.

The Walnut is one of only eight theatres in the United States chosen to present an originally produced version of Les Misérables. Other theatres include California Musical Theatre; North Shore Music Theatre in Beverly, MA; Marriot Theatre in Lincolnshire, IL.; Tuacahn Center in Ivins, Utah; The MUNY in St. Louis; Pioneer Theatre in Salt Lake City; and the Chanhassen Dinner Theatre in Minnesota.

According to WST, "The Walnut Street Theatre's production of Les Misérables will be a fresh re-envisioning and will be one of the most spectacular productions ever staged in the Walnut's 199-year history."

The creative team will be announced at a later date.

Tickets to Les Misérables are exclusively available now by subscribing to the Walnut's 2007-2008 season. For more information please visit www.lesmisphilly.com or call (215) 574-3550, ext. 6 to subscribe.

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Based on Victor Hugo's classic novel, Les Misérables "sweeps through three turbulent decades of 19th century French history. The show is also the story of one man, the fugitive Jean Valjean, who is pitted against the tenacious Inspector Javert, in a lifelong struggle to evade capture. What follows is a deeply personal tale set against a historical backdrop of an unparalleled scale."

Producer Cameron Mackintosh's production of Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg's musical has played to an international audience of tens of millions. It was revived on Broadway this fall at the Broadhurst Theatre, less than four years after its original run ended there. The London production continues.

Visit www.lesmis.com.