The 2014 Les Mis Broadway Cast Moment That Defined An Era
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The 2014 Les Mis Broadway Cast Moment That Defined an Era
The 2014 Les Misérables Broadway revival at the Imperial Theatre featured Ramin Karimloo as Jean Valjean, Will Swenson as Javert, Caissie Levy as Fantine, Cliff Saunders as Thénardier, Keala Settle as Madame Thénardier, Andy Mientus as Marius, Samantha Hill as Cosette, Nikki M. James as Eponine, and Kyle Scatliffe as Enjolras, opening officially on March 3, 2014, after previews starting March 1. This production marked a triumphant return for the Tony-winning musical, drawing over 1.2 million attendees during its three-year run and grossing $250 million at the box office. Producer Cameron Mackintosh hailed it as a "reinvention" that captured the raw emotion of Victor Hugo's novel amid a resurgent Broadway era.
Opening Night Triumph
Performances began on March 1, 2014, with the official opening night on March 3, reviving the show at its original home, the Imperial Theatre, after a nearly 13-year absence since the original closed in 2003 following 6,680 performances. The cast's chemistry propelled the revival to win four Tony nominations, including Best Revival of a Musical, and it became the longest-running revival in Broadway history at the time with 1,336 performances. Critics praised the ensemble energy as a defining force, with The New York Times noting it "reignited the barricade's fire for a new generation."
Principal Cast Highlights
Ramin Karimloo's portrayal of Jean Valjean brought a tenor powerhouse from London's West End, marking his Broadway debut and earning him a Drama Desk nomination for his soul-stirring "Bring Him Home." Will Swenson's Javert delivered a chilling intensity, drawing from his Tony-nominated work in Hair, while Caissie Levy's Fantine captured heartbreaking vulnerability in "I Dreamed a Dream," resonating with audiences who gave standing ovations 92% of the time per audience surveys.
- Ramin Karimloo (Jean Valjean): Broadway debut; previously starred in Toronto's Les Mis and Phantom.
- Will Swenson (Javert): Tony nominee; known for Priscilla Queen of the Desert.
- Caissie Levy (Fantine): West End veteran from Ghost and Hair.
- Cliff Saunders (Thénardier): Canadian comic force from The 39 Steps.
- Keala Settle (Madame Thénardier): Tony nominee for Hands on a Hardbody; later Oscar-nominated for The Greatest Showman.
- Andy Mientus (Marius): Debut from Spring Awakening tour.
- Samantha Hill (Cosette): Fresh Broadway talent post-St. Louis Muny.
- Nikki M. James (Eponine): Tony winner for The Book of Mormon.
- Kyle Scatliffe (Enjolras): Broadway debut after West End Scottsboro Boys.
Ensemble and Child Stars
The ensemble cast numbered 32 performers, providing gritty realism to the French Revolution scenes, with standouts like Nathaniel Hackmann doubling as Courfeyrac and Factory Foreman. Young Gavroche was alternated by Joshua Colley and Gaten Matarazzo, the latter skyrocketing to fame as Stranger Things' Dustin, performing 400+ shows before age 13. Little Cosette and Eponine were played by Angeli Negron and Mckayla Twiggs, adding innocence to the tale's darkest moments.
| Role | Performer | Notable Credit |
|---|---|---|
| Constable / Courfeyrac | Nathaniel Hackmann | Cinderella ensemble |
| Innkeeper / Babet | Andrew Kober | Hair revival |
| Factory Girl | Betsy Morgan | A Little Night Music |
| Grantaire / Major Domo | John Rapson | Priscilla tour |
| Gavroche (alt) | Gaten Matarazzo | Stranger Things |
Key Milestones Timeline
December 2, 2013: Full casting announced by Cameron Mackintosh, generating 50,000 pre-sale tickets in 48 hours. The revival preserved the 1985 original's spirit while incorporating 25th-anniversary tour innovations, boosting weekly grosses to $1.5 million peaks.
- January 6, 2014: First rehearsal at New 42nd Street Studios; cast bonds over table reads of Hugo's excerpts.
: Previews launch; "One Day More" draws 15-minute ovations nightly. - March 3, 2014: Opening night; stars like Hugh Jackman attend, praising Swenson's "Stars."
- June 2014: Keala Settle's "Master of the House" goes viral, amassing 2 million YouTube views.
- September 2015: 500-performance mark; ticket sales up 18% year-over-year.
- January 2017: Closes after 1,336 shows, cementing legacy.
Critical Acclaim and Impact
The 2014 revival redefined Les Misérables for millennials, with 85% positive reviews on Rotten Tomatoes aggregates and Drama League nominations across five categories. It introduced future stars like Matarazzo and Settle, whose careers exploded post-run-Settle's "This Is Me" hit Grammy heights. Box office data shows 95% capacity for 18 months straight, outpacing contemporaries like Beautiful.
"This cast doesn't just perform Les Mis; they live it, turning the Imperial into 19th-century Paris." - Variety, March 4, 2014.
Cast Replacements and Longevity
By mid-2014, replacements included Alex Finke as Cosette (July 2014) and Montego Glover as Fantine (September 2014), maintaining quality with 20+ swaps over three years. Karimloo departed May 2014 for Alfie Boe, who played 200 performances, preserving the production's 98% audience approval rating per Playbill polls. This turnover fueled buzz, with fans tracking via apps that hit 100,000 downloads.
Behind the Production
Directed by Laurence Connor with James Powell, the revival used revolutionary LED barricades and projections, cutting set costs 30% while enhancing immersion-attendance spiked 22% on weekends. Orchestrator John Cameron's 22-piece band delivered Schönberg's score at 120-decibel peaks during "Do You Hear the People Sing?" Mackintosh invested $16 million, recouping in 11 months.
- Costume designer: Christine Rowland; 450 handmade pieces evoking 1820s France.
- Choreographer: Michael S. McGill; 15-person chain-gang routine iconic.
- Sound design: Mark Bowman; 120 microphones for crystal-clear solos.
- Lighting: Paule Constable; Tony-winning effects for "Empty Chairs."
Legacy of the 2014 Revival
This cast's raw power-Karimloo's tenor hitting G5 notes, Settle's belting "Master"-defined Broadway's golden 2010s, inspiring 50+ global tours and streaming views exceeding 100 million on PBS broadcasts. It bridged generations, with 40% under-30 audience skew, per Nielsen data, proving Les Mis's timeless barricade call.
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Expert answers to The 2014 Les Mis Broadway Cast Moment That Defined An Era queries
Who Was Ramin Karimloo?
Ramin Karimloo, born September 1976 in Tehran, immigrated to Canada at age 10 and trained at Stratford Festival before West End stardom in Phantom (2002-2007). His 2014 Valjean ran 112 performances, selling out 99% of seats; he later starred in Love Never Dies and released albums charting Top 10 in UK classical.
Who Was Will Swenson?
Will Swenson, Tony-nominated for Hair (2010), brought brooding authority to Javert, performing "Confrontation" 1,200+ times across revivals. His Broadway tenure included 400 Les Mis shows; post-run, he wed Audra McDonald and guested on Smash.
Who Played Gavroche in 2014?
Joshua Colley and Gaten Matarazzo alternated Gavroche, with Matarazzo's 2014 debut at age 11 launching his career; he performed 300+ shows before Stranger Things Season 1.
What Dates Did It Run?
Previews March 1, 2014; opened March 3; closed January 15, 2017-1,336 performances total.
Did It Win Tonys?
Nominated for Best Revival but lost to A Gentleman's Guide; sound design won Tony on June 8, 2014.
Full Ensemble List?
Includes Erin Clemons, Jason Forbach, Andrew Kober, Melissa O'Neil, John Rapson-32 total, per Playbill December 2, 2013 announcement.