Les Mis Celebrates its 40th Anniversary in Radio City

Within the world of musical theater, there are classics that even the most casual fans know. “Les Miserables”, or “Les Mis” for short, is one of those classics, known for its strong themes and vocals.

Growing up as a theater fan, I overlooked “Les Mis” as an old show that didn’t compare to the contemporary shows I knew and loved; “Hamilton” and “Dear Evan Hansen” were simply better. They are culturally relevant, with strong characters and epic soundtracks. But my mother grew up listening to “Les Mis” as a kid and got us tickets to a show on July 29, 2026. 

This anniversary tour celebrates 40 years since the West End premiere in 1985. The musical was written and composed in French in 1980, based on the original 1862 novel by Victor Hugo. The tour began in Europe in September 2024 and traveled through 17 countries and regions over the past two years. It is unique from other tours for a few reasons, most notably for the accompanying concert. 

Most theater productions feature intricate sets and props, but this production of “Les Mis” emphasizes sound and performance over scenery. Center stage, there were bleachers for the cast members that were not just utilized as seating, but as the primary set piece. As details changed from scene to scene, there were always characters actively or passively present on those seats, with the lighting, intricate costumes and music setting the scene. Elevated behind the bleachers was a full orchestra, with violins, a harp, trumpets and more.

The lack of props and setting allowed for the audience to get immersed in the sound of the production. The combination of the cast singing alongside the intensity and movement from the orchestra was remarkable. On either side of the stage, screens projected close-ups of the primary cast members, so the audience further back could still feel immersed in the performance. 

While the overall performance was spectacular, the real surprise came after what we thought were the final bows. Cameron Mackintosh, the producer of “Les Mis”, came out to thank the audience for the past 40 years. He welcomed the original writers of the musical, Alain Boubiil and Claude-Michel Schonberg, who were in the audience, and revealed how many of the cast and musicians on the tour had been part of the production in different roles worldwide; for example, Philip Quast originated the role of Javert in the Australian production of “Les Mis” in 1987 and played the Bishop in this tour. 

To celebrate the end of the tour, Mackintosh invited former cast members to reprise their roles for that night. While it wasn’t the final performance of the tour, renowned cast members such as Patti LuPone — the originating actress of Fantine in the London production — and Aaron Tveit — who played Enjolras in the 2012 film adaptation — came out to sing iconic songs including “Do You Hear the People Sing?” and “One Day More.”

Sitting in this crowd, watching the joy of the cast and audience as confetti fell around me was surreal. While I wasn’t a longtime fan of “Les Mis”, the deep themes and complex characters quickly won me over. By the end of the show, I had laughed, cried and fallen in love with the characters and their development. Bradley Jaden’s portrayal of Javert was unbelievable; the way he presents Javert’s unraveling and internal moral conflict, to the point of insanity, was so real that I could not look away. Killian Donnelly’s steadiness and strength in playing Jean Valjean were perfect for the role, revealing Valjean as a consistent supporter of the people around him, whether that be adopting Cosette after Fantine’s death or saving Marius from the barricade.

While the story spans Valjean’s life from the early to mid-1800s, the audience still relates to the characters and their experiences. Fans support the show because of its timeless and authentic character, alongside its themes of justice, poverty and renewal. The show’s careful balance of tragedy and humor keeps the audience with it. Numbers like “Master of the House” and the innkeeper and his wife’s recurring antics, give relief from the deaths and hardships that drive the story.

This 40th anniversary was big for old and new fans alike. The tour gave old fans the chance to see the show again onstage, with the added nostalgia of seeing some of their favorite cast members they may remember from past performances. New fans, like myself, had the opportunity to rethink the relevance and stop underestimating the show’s value: it holds up completely alongside contemporary shows like “Hamilton” and “Dear Evan Hansen,” despite not having the same coolness factor.

Photo Caption: Les Miserables cast members — including Patti Lupone (bottom center) and Aaron Tveit (first on the right)— and producer Cameron Mackintosh celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the musical at Radio City.

Photo Source: Adina Traube