Les MisérablesShubert TheatreJune 2, 2026 Can a tale first told in the 19th century still resonate in the 21st century? In the case of Les Misérables, the answer is a resounding “yes.” The beloved musical’s current North American tour opened at the Shubert Theatre Tuesday night for a six-day run. According to their website, it has been seen by “over 130 million people worldwide in 53 countries, 438 cities, and 22 languages.” That’s quite the connection. The story of the musical “Les Mis” — as it is more commonly referred to — begins, appropriately, with a story, specifically the classic novel of the same name written by Victor Hugo and published way back in 1862. It did not become a musical — with its original lyrics written by Alain Boublil and music by Claude-Michel Schonberg — until 1980 in Paris, France. Five years later, an English language adaptation premiered in London’s West End, where it has been running ever since. Broadway saw its own version premiere in 1987, where it won multiple awards at the Tonys — including Best Musical — and returned for a revival in 2014. Multiple productions and tours have occurred over the years all over the world. It was also made into a motion picture back in 2012 that won three Oscars, including a Best Supporting Actress Award for Anne Hathaway. The musical maneuvers its way deftly through the story of a prisoner named Jean Valjean who, after serving 19 years in prison, is released by the guard Javert but cannot find work due to his status. His original crime, stealing bread to help feed his nephew, haunts him, but he ends up stealing again. This time it is silver from a bishop. When the bishop pretends that he was the one who gave him the silver and then gives him more, it causes Valjean to commit himself to living a more honest way of life. He breaks parole and goes on to create a new life where he becomes a factory owner and mayor of a town, all whilst hiding his true identity. He becomes a guardian to a young child, Cosette, after her mother Fantine, a worker of his, falls into despair and dies. During all of this he once again has a run-in with Javert as well as the Thenardiers, inn keepers who have been using Cosette as a servant while taking money from Fantine for her care. They also have a daughter Eponine who, many years later, becomes involved in a love triangle with Cosette and revolutionary Marius. Yes, there is revolution afoot in France, and it continues on while Valjean continues his search for redemption, Cosette and Marius pine for one another, Eponine pines for Marius, the Thenardiers plot to be richer, and Javert searches for Valjean. And if you think the story is stacked, you should hear the music. This is epic musical theater with one showstopper after another. Even if you know how the story plays out, whether it’s from reading the original novel, watching the film, or seeing the show itself, it grips the viewer throughout. “I Dreamed a Dream,” sung by Fantine early on in the show, sends a chill through the listener as she sings of her hopes being crushed by the reality of her situation: no job, no money, and a child to care for. “Master of the House,” sung by the Thenardiers and their customers, adds some comic relief to the proceedings. “Do You Hear the People Sing?” — sung by revolutionary Enjolras, students, and citizens of the town – is enough to fire one up to start a revolution themselves. And in a way it seems that may be one of the reasons this story continues to connect to those who find it, whether it is for the first or fiftieth time. In its near-three-hour run time, Les Mis runs the gamut of emotions from sadness to fear to fighting spirit. France in the early 19th century was not the only time people were yearning for change or suffering a fate that they hoped was not beyond their control to change. And who among us has not felt regret, wished to be seen in a different light, or wished for another chance to improve our own situation and ourselves? Les Mis excels at taking a moment in history and making it both profound and personal. This sweeping production by Cameron Mackintosh utilizes the historic resonance of the Shubert to its maximum effect with set designs that make you feel like you are in an arena-sized venue at times, but also honors the intimacy of the individual performances. Whether it is the resounding booms during the revolutionary fight scenes or the quieter suffering of Fantine at the hands of those who are unkind to her, the impact lingers on. As someone who has experienced the novel and the film but had never seen the musical live, this reporter highly recommends it as a vital theater experience, one that not only entertains, but engrains itself in you. By the way, my husband and I have also been going strong since 1985. It’s nice to know that some things last. “Les Misérables” is playing at the Shubert until Sunday, June 7 (including matinees on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday). Tickets are available through the Shubert’s website.   The post “Les Mis” Keeps The Dream Alive, Even After All These Years appeared first on New Haven Independent. ...read more read less