REVIEW: Les Miserables

Les Misérables is the classic tale of Jean Valjean, a fundamentally good man burdened by past mistakes and trapped within the challenging social structures of pre-revolutionary France. The story is told through one of the most celebrated scores in musical theatre history. It’s truly “all killer, no filler.”

The national tour features a large and exceptionally talented cast. Hayden Tee brings conviction and strength to Javert. Christian Mark Gibbs is equally compelling as Enjolras, delivering both vocal power and charismatic leadership in the revolutionary ensemble numbers. As close to perfect as it is, I found myself wishing for a stronger brass presence in the first act to give some of the early numbers their full dramatic weight. I was also turned off by the direction of Cosette, which leaned toward “Disney princess”. Cosette’s vocal inflections and mannerisms felt out of place and undercut the gravity of the musical’s themes.

Even so, Les Misérables on stage is always a worthwhile experience. Its sheer theatrical ambition make it more than reliable entertainment. Seeing it once is not enough, and somehow, even after six viewings, it still feels essential.

Les Miserables is at the Orpheum Theatre in Minneapolis through February 22, 2026.

DEAL ALERT: Student/Educator/Performing Arts Industry rush tickets are available for all performances (conditioned upon availability).  Click here for details.

Photo by Matthew Murphy