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Cameron Mackintosh’s acclaimed production of Boublil and Schönberg’s Les Misérables to make a much-anticipated return to North America.

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‘Les Misérables’ Review: Breathtaking Production Dazzles L.A. With Powerhouse Ensemble

By Katcy Stephan

Katcy Stephan

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Cameron Mackintosh’s much-loved production of Boublil and Schönberg’s “Les Misérables” has descended upon L.A., giving Angelenos their chance to hear the people sing at the Hollywood Pantages Theatre .

Purists won’t find any holes to poke in this air-tight national tour, which demonstrates a clear reverence for the beloved show’s storied history while delivering stunning, modern visuals and breathing new life into numbers like “A Heart Full of Love” with a healthy injection of humor.

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Fans who have only seen the 2012 film adaptation with Russell Crowe’s painfully weak vocal attempt owe it to themselves to see Boyd perform Javert’s staggeringly difficult songs as they were meant to be heard: with precision, ferocity and conviction.

Other standouts in the powerhouse ensemble include Christina Rose Hall and Matt Crowle as the Thénardiers, who bring the house down with a raunchy, laugh-out-loud “Master of the House.” Addie Morales and Gregory Lee Rodriguez’s sweetly star-crossed lovers, Cosette and Marius, bring some much-needed hope and lightness the story — and it doesn’t hurt that their voices blend perfectly.

Of course, there’s still plenty to cry about (it is called “Les Misérables,” after all), and that’s where Christine Heesun Hwang’s Éponine and Haley Dortch’s Fantine shine brightest, showcasing spectacular belting abilities while languishing in the most tender moments of “On My Own” and “I Dreamed A Dream.”

“Les Misérables” runs through Sept. 10 at the Hollywood Pantages Theatre.

Hollywood Pantages Theatre; 2,703 seats. Opened August 3, 2023. Reviewed August 3. Running time: 2 Hours 55 Minutes.

• Production: A Cameron Mackintosh presentation of a musical in two acts, based on the 1862 novel of the same name by Victor Hugo.
• Crew: Produced by Cameron Mackintosh, Book by Alain Boublil & Claude-Michel Schönberg, Music by Claude-Michel Schönberg, Lyrics by Herbert Kretzmer, Directed by James Powell & Laurence Connor, Set and Image Design by Matt Kinley, Lighting Design by Paule Constable, Sound Design by Mick Potter, Original Costume Design by Andreane Neofitou, Costume Design by Christine Rowland and Paul Wills.
• Cast: Nick Cartell, Preston Truman Boyd, Haley Dortch, Matt Crowle, Christina Rose Hall, Devin Archer, Christine Heesun Hwang, Gregory Lee Rodriguez, Addie Morales, Cora Jane Messer and Vivian Atencio, Milo Maharlika and Henry Kirk, Kyle Adams Daniel Gerard Bittner, Ciaran Bowling, Jenna Burns, Ben Cherington, Steve Czarnecki, Kelsey Denale, Arianne DiCerbo, Genevielle Ellis, David Young Fernandez, Michelle Beth Herman, Randy Jeter, Daelynn Carter Jorif, Olivia J. Lu, Eden Mau, Andrew Marks Maughan, Benjamin H. Moore, Nicole Morris, Ashley Dawn Mortensen, Tim Quartier, Julia Ellen Richardson, Ethan Rogers, Christopher Robin Sapp, Emily Some, Christopher James Tamayo, Kyle Timson, J.T. Wood

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Cameron Mackintosh’s acclaimed fully-staged new production of Boublil and Schönberg’s Les Misérables is playing in London, Belgium, Holland, Japan, a US national tour, and a World Tour of the Arena Spectacular.

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Stage and Cinema

Arts and Entertainment Reviews

Theater Review: LES MISÉRABLES (National Tour)

by Tony Frankel on August 14, 2023

in Theater-Los Angeles , Theater-Regional , Tours

DON’T MIZ IT

Unlike most of the characters in the blockbuster sung-through musical  Les Misérables , the show itself will never die. Consistently presented either on Broadway, national tours, and globally since the English-language version opened on the West End in 1985, audiences can’t get enough of Victor Hugo’s story about ex-con and do-gooder Jean Valjean and his righteous long-arm-of-the-law pursuer, Javert. With a speedy 3-hour running time, the rousing anthems, heartbreaking ballads, delicious characters right out of Dickens, and compelling storytelling—from Valjean’s paroling to the Paris Uprising of 1832—prove that modern audiences and millennials do indeed have an attention span if the material is great.

After that awful movie adaptation, another Les Miz found itself on Broadway in 2014. The National Tour which relaunched October 7 and opened last week at the Pantages Hollywood (which then heads for Segerstrom in Costa Mesa) is a sleek new revival based on that production, the national tour of which was cut short by COVID in 2020. With dozens of roles, many of them major, and 30+ ensemble members, all of whom must sing spectacularly while negotiating hundreds of costume and wig changes, Les Miz is not an easy venture to undertake (costumes by Andreane Neofitou , additional costume designs by Christine Rowland and Paul Wills ). This production directed by James Powell and Laurence Connor captures the revolutionary spirit in spades.

Designed by Matt Kinley (inspired by the paintings of Hugo), and projections realized by Finn Ross , Jonathon Lyle , and Fifty Nine Productions , the turntable and multi-media spectacle of Broadway have been expunged, but — especially with Kinley’s massive barricade and the amazing lighting by Paule Constable — it is no less effective.

Tara Rubin Casting has assembled the most important thing: singers. Some acted better than others, but the vocals blew me away, especially with Mick Potter ‘s sound design, which makes the acoustically troubled theater feel intimate. I heard most every lyric.

The astounding Nick Cartell anchors the show as Valjean: His vocal abilities positively stunned with a powerful and resonant tenor, and his rendition of “Bring Him Home” was one of the most stirring on record — a lengthy and roaring ovation followed this poignant ballad (one of the few places in the show the audience gets a break to applaud).

Other characters were portrayed as well as those on Broadway. Randy Jeter was the apotheosis of sanctity and strength as the Bishop who bestows silver candlesticks on Valjean as a way to keep him from a life of thievery. An impassioned and persuasive Devin Archer brought life to Enjolras, the leader of the revolutionaries with no backstory whatsoever (indeed, I don’t believe the character’s name is even mentioned in the show). Chicago actors Matt Crowle ( Gentlemen’s Guide.. .) and Cristina Rose Hall ( Wonderful Town ) wisely don’t go over the top as Monsieur and Madame Thénardier, lowlifes who make Fagin from Oliver  a candidate for Sainthood.

Christine Heesun Hwang veered from that yodeling, pop-opera sound as Thénardier’s daughter Éponine, offering a lovely, straightforward teenager who is torn between unrequited love and a life of larceny. A real find was Henry Kirk as the Artful Dodger-like boy, Gavroche; it’s always thrilling to see a child actor powerful in voice who can do without cloying behavior. And as Valjean’s adopted daughter Cosette, who falls for the student revolutionary Marius, Addie Morales presented a clarity of tone that was astonishing. Haley Dortch as the good-girl-turned-prostitute Fantine (“I Dreamed a Dream”) scrunched three-hours of drama into her twenty-minute role, but wisely replaced that grand tortured-soul performance for damaged purity.

Preston Truman Boyd has a booming voice and tall stature as Javert, but while compelling, he lacked character complexity. The only undistinguished performance came from Gregory Lee Rodriguez as Marius, the student revolutionary who falls for Cosette — he sounds fine and looks swell, but without dramatic intent, his songs didn’t always ratchet up to an emotional impact. His love songs, however, soar. And when he meets cute with Cosette, it’s a very winning moment. (Listen, spectators will have their own favorites in regards to characters and/or the actors portraying them; that’s yet another reason why people return and return again.)

Updating John Cameron ‘s original orchestrations, Stephen Matcalfe , Christopher Jahnke , and Stephen Brooker did wonders with a scaled-down 14-member orchestra (music supervision is by Stephen Brooker and James Moore . Credit for the vocals and band goes to Musical Director Brian Eads . With that damn terrific score brought to magnificence by Eads, it’s clear why Les Miz is, as the ad says, “Still the World’s Most Popular Musical.”

But the stars of the show really are creators Claude-Michel Schönberg (music), Herbert Kretzmer (English language libretto based on original French lyrics by Alain Boublil and Jean-Marc Natel ), and James Fenton (additional material). And, of course, the adaptation by  Trevor Nunn  and  John Caird . These gentlemen may have truncated and in some ways bastardized Hugo’s novel, but there must have been Divine Intervention because they found the beating heart of the universal human journey: the search for love in a world of injustice.

photos by Matthew Murphy & Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade

LES MISÉRABLES National Tour for dates and cities, visit Les 

reviewed at the Hollywood Pantages Theatre end on September 10, 2023 for tickets, call 800.982.2787 Broadway In Hollywood and Ticketmaster

Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa September 19-October 1, 2023 for tickets, call 714.556.2787 or visit SCFTA

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A knockout! This new touring production of Les Miserables is magnificent

Philadelphia Inquirer

Images belong to the production company

Les Miserables

Finished Sep 10, 2023

Pantages Theater Hollywood

A Cinematic New Production of the Iconic Musical

Les Miserables Les Miserables

Why see Les Miserables?

The spectacular hit returns.

Cameron Mackintosh's epic musical is back! Based on Victor Hugo's novel, this sweeping epic is one of the most popular musicals in history, a tale of love and revolution that draws audiences in time and time again. Its classic score, written by Herbert Kretzmer and Claude-Michel Schonberg, includes the timeless 'I Dreamed A Dream', 'One Day More' and 'Do You Hear the People Sing'.

Nominated for three Tony Awards, this latest Broadway production is a more than worthy chapter in Les Miserables' long history. It debuted at the Imperial Theatre in 2014 and ran for two years, drawing huge acclaim for its stripped down storytelling, which jettisons some of the bloat attached to previous productions, and the atmospheric video projections that lend the show a hugely cinematic backdrop.

WHAT IS LES MISERABLES ABOUT?

Two years after the Revolution of 1830, France is on the brink of violence once again. Dismayed that one king has been replaced by another, a group of rebels are plotting to overthrow the monarchy and lay claim to the throne for the common people.

Against this backdrop of simmering rebellion, we follow the story of Jean Valjean, an escaped convict who manages to build a new life for himself and his adopted daughter Cosette. Yet his new found happiness cannot last for long, because the unrelenting police inspector Javert, who has been hunting Valjean for two decades, is close on his tail. As Valjean's past finally catches up with him, all of the characters are swept up in the chaos that breaks out on Paris 'streets, in an epic story of thwarted love, forgiveness and the enduring strength of the human spirit.

DID YOU KNOW?

Les Miserables has won over 100 major awards, including Oliviers, Tonys and Grammys!

Key Information

• Nick Cartell as Jean Valjean
• Preston Truman Boyd as Javert
• Haley Dortch as Fantine
• Matt Crowle as Thenardier
• Devin Archer as Enjolras
• Milo Maharlika and Henry Kirk alternating as Gavroche
• Kyle Adams as Grantaire
• Daniel Gerard Bittner as Feuilly
• Victoria Huston-Elem as Madame Thenardier
• Mya Rena Hunter as Eponine
• Jake David Smith as Marius
• Delaney Guyer as Cosette
• Sky Vaux Fuller and Olivia Grace O'Sullivan alternating as Little Cosette / Young Eponine
• David Andino as Bamatabois/Babet

Further cast

Jenna Burns, Ben Cherington, Steve Czarnecki, Kelsey Denale, Arianne DiCerbo, Genevielle Ellis, David Young Fernandez, Michelle Beth Herman, Randy Jeter, Cameron Loyal, Mikako Martin, Eden Mau, Andrew Marks Maughan, Nicole Morris, Ashley Dawn Mortensen,Tim Quartier, Juliette Redden, Julia Ellen Richardson, Ethan Rogers, Matt Rosell, Christopher Robin Sapp, Greta Schafer, Emily Some, Veronica Stern, Christopher James Tamayo, Kyle TImson and J.T. Wood

• Produced by Cameron Mackintosh
• Directed & Adapted by Laurence Connor & James Powell
• Production Design by John Napier
• Costumes Design by Andreane Neofitou
• Lighting Design by David Hersey
• Sound Design by Andrew Bruce
• Lyrics by Herbert Kretzmer
• Music by Claude-Michel Schonberg
• Book by Alain Boublil & Claude-Michel Schonberg

2014 Olivier Awards

• Audience Award for Most Popular Show

2014 Tony Awards

• Best Revival of a Musical
• Best Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical - Ramin Karimloo
• Best Sound Design of a Musical - Mick Potter

2014 Drama Desk Awards

• Outstanding Revival of a Musical

2012 Olivier Awards

1987 tony awards.

• Best Musical
• Best Book of a Musical - Alain Buoblil and Claude-Michel Schonberg
• Best Original Score - Claude-Michel Schonerg (music) and Herbert Kretzmer & Alain Buoblil (lyrics)
• Best Actore in a Featured Role in a Musical - Michael Maguire
• Best Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical - Frances Ruffelle
• Best Direction of a Musical - Trevor Nunn and John Caird
• Best Scenic Design - John Napier
• Best Lighting Design - David Hersey
• Best Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical - Colm Wilkinson
• Best Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical - Terrence Mann
• Best Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical - Judy Kuhn
• Best Costume Design - Andreane Neofitou

Critic's review

So go. Be transported. Get caught up in the tidal wave of emotion. Cry if you are inclined. Hum the music for days on end. And then, if you love that feeling, go again when it comes back. Which, eventually, it will.

Chicago Sun Times

Customer reviews

Justifiably a classic! (I'd say 4.5 stars if I could.)

Marcia Broderick

Best. Show. Ever.

10 out of 5 stars

Les Miserables Movie Re-Released In Cinemas!

News, tickets, theatre & more, share the love.

LAexcites.com

Actor matt crowle talks ‘les misérables’ — now gripping socal through oct. 1st.

Over the course of nearly two months, one of the most popular musicals in history, Les Misérables , will grace not one but two consecutive stages in Southern California: the Hollywood Pantages Theatre, where it is now playing through Sunday, September 10th and the Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa, which will host the national tour based on Victor Hugo’s 1862-published novel between Tuesday, September 19th and Sunday, October 1st.

Since being adapted for the Parisian stage in 1980 by musician Claude-Michel Schönberg, and lyricists Alain Boublil and Jean-Marc Natel, Les Mis (as the musical has been informally referred to) has also become an American staple since being translated into English by producer Cameron Mackintosh and lyricist Herbert Kretzmer. On Broadway alone, the stage production has earned more than half a billion dollars, in addition to the 2012 film which almost garnered that amount with $442 million. It’s not difficult to understand the commercial success; the story has a push-pull evocativeness that never lets go of its transfixed audience members.

The early 1800s-based conflict centers around ex-convict Jean Valjean (portrayed by Nick Cartell) who, upon fulfilling a 19-year sentence for purloining bread to feed his sister’s famished son, breaks his parole as a means to reclaim a new life for himself; however, this decision pits him against an unreasonable police inspector named Javert (Preston Truman Boyd). The protagonist and other characters might be compelled to ask: Does the government and its employees have the best interests of its citizens at heart? Questions like this, and about suffering, justice, redemption, and empathy percolate faithfully as themes against the backdrop of a French revolutionary fervor.

While Les Misérables subsists on mostly dramatic motifs, there is some laugh-out-loud antics to be had — a void that is filled by a riotously comical Machiavellian couple, the Thénardiers, who have no qualms about defrauding either their own customers (at an inn they run) or anyone else for that matter; in fact, there is no scheme too absurd for them to attempt. Many of these uncouth stratagems of extortion, but certainly no less hysterical, are devised by the masterminding Monsieur Thénardier who is depicted by versatile actor Matt Crowle who, for more than two decades, has impressed with one role after another.

Recently, Crowle graciously gave his time to LAexcites to discuss the inspiration for his approach to Monsieur Thénardier, how he perceives of comedy, his onstage chemistry with Christina Rose Hall’s Madame Thénardier, the musical number he looks forward to performing every night, why he’ll never forget a certain city he’s performed in, what happened when he found himself suddenly indisposed on stage, and finally, what Les Mis means to him.

How did you develop your version of Monsieur Thénardier? Were you inspired by other actors who inhabited the role on stage?

Crowle : I’d only seen the show once before, and that was over 25 years ago, so I didn’t have much reference beyond the words on the page. My inspiration in developing the character came through Thénardier’s lyrics, which are masterful examples of cunning wordplay. I found him to be intensely clever, reveling in the fun of innuendo and turns of phrases. Victor Hugo also used very helpful descriptive language for Thénardier in the novel which guided my choices throughout rehearsal. In the book, you’ll find words like ‘angular,’ ‘puny,’ and ‘a skinny little runt.’ For an actor, these are delicious ingredients to sprinkle into a character. I dropped some weight and worked on my flexibility as I prepared, because I wanted his physicality to present a man with feral, rodent-like qualities.

While Les Misérables is mostly a serious show, your thieving and overall deceitful character brings much levity to the plot. As an actor who is seemingly well-versed in comedy, having portrayed an array of funny characters like Leo Bloom in The Producers , how do you approach the humorous qualities of Monsieur Thénardier while at the same time remaining aligned with Les Misérables ’ earnest themes?

Crowle : When it comes to comedic characters and scene work, I’ve been incredibly fortunate to work with and observe some of the greats. What I’ve learned in the past 20-plus years is the golden rule that never fails: The best comedy is the simple truth. This character is brilliantly written into situations and environments that are inherently funny — darkly funny — but still funny. Like clumsily bargaining the sale of an orphan, or crashing a wedding with the grace of a tornado. If the situation is funny, then you just have to play the truth and the comedy unfolds naturally. [Director] Mike Nichols would always say, during rehearsals for Spamalot , ‘don’t put a hat on a hat.’ I’ve never forgotten that. Don’t try to ‘be funny,’ just be honest in the midst of these ridiculous circumstances, and it will be funny. Trust and serve the situation and your scene partners, listen and respond honestly, and you will always win.

Reviews have pointed out that you share a terrific chemistry with Christina Rose Hall who plays your wife, Madame Thénardier, in the musical. Why do you think you two mesh so well on stage?

Crowle : Christina is a dynamic comedienne but, even more wonderful, she’s a generous and present scene partner. One of the keys to a successful comedic partnership, I’ve found, is treating the scene work like tennis. You have to know when you’re serving and when you’re returning the ball. Christina and I have worked on these scenes, and refined them over the months, to keep them as comedically streamlined as possible. The success in that task comes from knowing whether you’re the focus of the action or you’re in the co-pilot position of support. Flipping back and forth between these two positions is mathematical, and I love doing that dance with her eight times a week.

Among your musical numbers in the show, is there one that you find particularly challenging? Irrespective of the most challenging, do you have a favorite?

Crowle : I have to admit, Thénardier gets to have all the fun in this show. Being tasked with the role of a conniving scoundrel addicted to hijinks is the greatest gift in the world. He’s always up to something immoral and unsavory and it’s more fun than a frog in a glass of milk! I have to say, though, every night I get to do ‘Master of the House,’ I feel like a five-year-old climbing into a sandbox. It has been, and always will be, a career highlight.

Since you’ve taken on your role in the Les Misérables U.S. tour, is there a certain performance or city that stands out for you the most from either an individual and/or collective standpoint? And, if so, why?

Crowle : I got my Equity card in June of 2003 with a head full of dreams. Almost exactly 20 years later, there I was, playing Thénardier, one of the most famous villains in musical theatre history, at the Kennedy Center. For three weeks, I was living in Georgetown, walking along the Potomac River to work, convinced somebody was going to shake me awake and tell me it had all been a dream. There have been several cities and theaters that we’ve played in the past year that have been deeply and humblingly exciting. But taking the stage, in Washington D.C., and playing to a sold-out house at the Kennedy Center … I’ll remember that for the rest of my life.

Are there any fun backstage stories you’re able to share?

Crowle : One night, just before entering for the wedding scene in Act II, I got a terrible tickle in my throat. The kind of tickle that heats half your face to 300 degrees and your eyes slosh tears. So, I made my entrance, convinced that when I opened my mouth to sing my first line, I was going to explode in a coughing fit. I didn’t. However, all the focus on not coughing meant that my brain had lost the lyrics. They still came out of my mouth, with the exception of a couple Spanish words I substituted. I don’t know how that happened. I don’t speak Spanish.

Lastly, if you were to sum up the message of Les Misérables in a few sentences, what would that be?

Crowle : To me, I think the most important theme of Les Misérables is the virtue of compassion. So many people in the world are silently struggling. What we need to strive for is the patience and insight to understand that we don’t know everything about everybody. Leading with grace and compassion is the only way we’re going to help ourselves and everyone around us to see a brighter future.

For more information on the U.S. tour of Les Misérables at the Hollywood Pantages Theatre (now through Sept. 10), and to purchase tickets, please visit broadwayinhollywood.com . And for details on Les Misérables ‘ run at Costa Mesa’s Segerstrom Center for the Arts (Sept. 19 – Oct. 1), visit scfta.org .

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Tours To You

Your home for information about the touring broadway productions in north america, casting announced for “les misérables” national tour.

Casting for Cameron Mackintosh’s acclaimed production of Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg’s Tony Award-winning musical phenomenon, Les Misérables , has been announced.

Celebrated tour alums Nick Cartell and Preston Truman Boyd will return to the barricades to portray the fugitive ‘Jean Valjean’ and ‘Inspector Javert,’ respectively. They are joined by Matt Crowle as ‘Thénardier,’ Christina Rose Hall as ‘Madame Thénardier,’ Haley Dortch as ‘Fantine,’ Devin Archer as ‘Enjolras,’ Christine Heesun Hwang as ‘Éponine,’ Gregory Lee Rodriguez as ‘Marius’ and Addie Morales as ‘Cosette.’ Cora Jane Messer and Hazel Vogel alternate in the role of ‘Little Cosette/Young Éponine.’ Harrison Fox and Gabriel Lafazan alternate in the role of ‘Gavroche.’

The new touring ensemble includes Kyle Adams, Daniel Gerard Bittner, Ciaran Bowling, Jenna Burns, Ben Cherington, Steve Czarnecki, Kelsey Denae, Arianne DiCerbo, Genevieve Ellis, Randy Jeter, Daelynn Carter Jorif, Olivia J. Lu, Eden Mau, Andrew Marks Maughan, Benjamin H. Moore, Nicole Morris, Ashley Dawn Mortensen, Julia Ellen Richardson, Ethan Rogers, Christopher Robin Sapp, Emily Somé, Christopher James Tamayo, Kyle Timson, J.T. Wood and David Young.

Cameron Mackintosh said, “The phenomenon of Les Misérables never fails to astound me. No show in history has been able to continually reinvent itself and remain a contemporary musical attracting new generations of brilliant new talent, many of whom go on to international stardom. No show in the world has ever demonstrated the survival of the human spirit better than Les Miz, and it’s time to let the people sing again. We are all thrilled to be Bringing Her Home to you.”

The show will relaunch its record-breaking tour of North America in October 2022 at Playhouse Square in Cleveland, OH and will play more than 60 week-long and multi-week engagements through the next two years and beyond. To see the current route, visit LesMis.com , or click here .

Set against the backdrop of 19th century France, Les Misérables tells an enthralling story of broken dreams and unrequited love, passion, sacrifice and redemption – a timeless testament to the survival of the human spirit. This epic and uplifting story has become one of the most celebrated musicals in theatrical history.

Boublil & Schönberg’s magnificent score of Les Misérables includes the classic songs “I Dreamed a Dream,” “On My Own,” “Bring Him Home,” “Do You Hear The People Sing?,” “One Day More,” “Master of the House” and many more. Seen by over 130 million people worldwide in 53 countries and 22 languages, LES MISÉRABLES is undisputedly still one of the world’s most popular musicals.

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• Cast & Creative
• Tour Dates & Tickets

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Cameron’s Mackintosh’s production of Boublil and Schönberg’s  LES MISÉRABLES: THE ARENA SPECTACULAR  will embark on a World Tour from this September with strictly limited UK dates. Expanded from the hugely successful  Les Mis é rables The Staged Concert , which played for over 200 record-breaking performances in the West End, this spectacular production will have an extraordinary new design specifically created for larger venues with a cast and orchestra of over 65.

Tickets are now on sale for the only UK and European dates. CLICK HERE for tour dates and to book tickets.

Initial UK and European casting now announced. CLICK HERE to find out more.

Trailer features initial UK casting. Please note that the appearance of any artist is not guaranteed and is subject to change without notice. Full casting to be announced.

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• Moscow Tours

Our 20 Best Moscow Tours of 2022

Join us on an unforgettable tour to Moscow, the capital of Russia. Imagine visiting Red Square, St. Basil’s the Kremlin and more. Moscow is one of Europe’s most vibrant cities and one of Russia’s most historical. All of our tours to Moscow are fully customizable and can be adjusted to fit any budget. Our most popular tours are listed below. Please click on the tour details to learn more or contact us for more information about our Moscow tours using the form at the side of the page. You can also schedule a call with one of our Russian travel specialists to learn more.

Classic Moscow

This is our most popular Moscow tour that includes all the most prominent sights. You will become acquainted with ancient Russia in the Kremlin, admire Russian art in the Tretyakov Gallery, listen to street musicians as you stroll along the Old Arbat street, and learn about Soviet times on the Moscow Metro tour.

Accommodation

PRIVATE TOUR

A Week in Moscow

This tour is a perfect choice for those who wish to get to know Moscow in depth. One of the highlights of this package is the KGB history tour which gives an interesting perspective on the Cold War. You will also have time for exploring the city on your own or doing extra sightseeing.

Weekend in Moscow

This tour is a great way to get acquainted with the capital of Russia if you are short of time. You will see all the main attractions of the city, the most important of which is the Kremlin - the heart of Russia. The tour starts on Friday and can be combined with a business trip.

Group Tour Moscow Break by Intourist

Russia's capital has so much to offer, from the Kremlin and the Metro to the Old Arbat street and the Tretyakov Gallery. Besides these sites, you will also visit a fascinating country estate which today is quite off the beaten path, Gorky Estate, where the Soviet leader Lenin spent the last months of his life.

Kolomenskoye Tour with transport

The history of Kolomenskoye stretches back for centuries. In 1380, Dmitri Donskoi’s army passed through Kolomenskoye on their way to the Kulikovo battlefield, and it was...

Tours by car

Kremlin, Red Sq., Cathedrals & Armory Tour

The Kremlin is truly a fascinating structure, at the same time it is an ancient tower, the city’s former military fortification, a palace, an armory, the sovereign treasury...

Walking tours

Kremlin, Red Sq., Cathedrals, Armory, Diamond Fund Tour

Old Arbat walking tour

You will be told of the street’s interesting history and view the street’s artisan culture. You will also have the opportunity to view and purchase souvenirs from the...

Tour to Sergiev Posad with transport

Considered by some to be the Russian Vatican, Sergiev Posad is the temporary residence of the Patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church. The Trinity St. Sergius Monastery (Lavra)...

Tour to Kuskovo with transport

The Kuskovo Estate often called the Moscow Versailles due to its perfectly preserved French park, is an example of an 18th century, luxurious Moscow summer residence. Its history...

Tour to Tsaritsyno with transport

The Tsaritsyno Estate is located in the southern part of Moscow. The estate was constructed for Catherine the Great by the Russian architects Bazhenov and Kazakov in a romantic...

Moscow Metro and Old Arbat Tour

The Moscow Metro is one of the largest and most grandly built metro systems in the world. It was meant to be a showcase of the Soviet Union’s achievements for both the Russians...

Vodka Museum Tour with transport (excursion and vodka tasting)

Vodka is an important component of Russian life, an element of national identity and everyday culture. We invite you to visit the Vodka Museum and feel the atmosphere of long-gone...

Mikhail Bulgakov Apartment Museum

This apartment museum located close to Patriarch Ponds became the prototype of the "bad apartment" described in the novel "The Master and Margarita." Currently the museum's...

Kremlin, Red Sq., Cathedrals & Diamond Fund Tour

The State Museum of Lev Tolstoy Tour

Take this opportunity to learn more about the Russian writer Lev Tolstoy. During the visit to the museum you will see part of a vast collection of exhibits connected to Tolstoy...

Novodevichy Convent Tour with transport

Tour of the Novodevichy Monastery. Founded in 1524 by Grand Prince VasiliIoanovich, the original convent was enclosed by fortified walls and contained 12 towers. The structure...

City Tour with Visit to St. Basils & Red Sq. with transport

Panoramic City Tour. This Moscow tour is a great start to your trip and the best way to get acquainted with many of the city’s major highlights. Our professional guide will...

City Tour of Moscow

Head to the heart of Moscow with a professional guide on a 4-hour private walk through the city center. See Tverskaya and Old Arbat streets, Theatre Square with the world-famous...

Moscow Metro walking tour

Kremlin, Red Square and Cathedrals Tour

KGB Tour with transport

This is a very interesting and insightful tour. You will visit places connected with Stalin’s terror - a time of great repression and fear. You will be shown monuments to...

Soviet and Post-Soviet Moscow Tour

The tour begins with a drive or walk down Tverskaya Street – a Soviet masterpiece. In the years of Soviet power, Tverskaya began to undergo a transformation: it was widened...

Tretyakov State Gallery Tour

This world-famous gallery contains masterpieces of Russian art beginning in the 10th century up until today. You will view exquisite Russian icons and paintings from the 18th and...

Jewish Heritage of Moscow Tour

This tour offers a detailed look into the history and present-day life of the Jewish community of Moscow. On the tour, you will visit sites connected with the cultural and religious...

Vodka Museum Tour with transport (excursion only)

Lena, our guide in Moscow was excellent. She was very knowledgable and could answer any question we had for her. We liked that she could pick up on our interests and take us places we might not have thought of to go. When we realized that one of the places we had chosen to see would probably not be that interesting to us, she was able to arrange entry to the Diamond Fund and the Armoury for us. Riding the Metro with Lena was a real adventure and a lot of fun. In Saint Petersburg we found Anna well versed in the history of the Tsars and in the Hermitage collection. Arkady in Veliky Novgorod was a very good guide and answered all of our questions with ease. Novgorod was perhaps a long way to go for a day trip, but we did enjoy it. Vasily was a great driver to have and kept us safe with good humour and skill. We enjoyed ourselves so much, my daughter says she is already planning to return. We would both have no hesistation to recommend ExpresstoRussia to anyone we know.

Just wanted to let you know that My grandson Bruno and I couldn´t have been more pleased with our week in Moscow (6/15 - 6/21). We were absolutely enchanted with the whole experience, including getting lost a couple of times in the Metro during our free time. Although both our guides (both Eleanas) were excellent, I would particularly commend the first one (she took us to the Tatiakov, the KGB tour, and to that beautiful cemetery where so many great Russian artists, authors, composers, musicians, militarists, and politicians are buried). Her knowledge is encyclopedic; and her understanding of today´s Russia as a product of its past was, for us, truly enlightening. I will be taking another tour in Russia, with my wife, within the next two or three years. I will be in touch with you when the time comes. Meanwhile, I will refer you to other potential visitors to Russia as I meet them.

Tours to Moscow

Our Moscow tours are land only meaning that you arrange your own air travel to Russia and our expert staff meets you at the airport and handles everything else from there. Our online Airline Ticket booking system offers some of the most competitive rates to Russia available on the web so if you need tickets, please visit our Russian air ticket center . Rest assured that you will be taken great care of on one of our Moscow tours. Express to Russia has a fully staffed office in Moscow that will help to make your visit fun, informative and unforgettable. Please remember that of all these tours are private and can be adjusted to your taste. You can add, replace or skip some sights; you can add more days to the package or cut the tour short. Our specialists will be glad to help you create the tour of your dreams!

Moscow, a City Like No Other

Moscow is Russia’s largest city with a population of between 12 and 13 million. It is also Europe’s largest city and when you visit Moscow, you can feel it. The layout and architecture of the city is eclectic, ranging from crooked, ancient streets and alleyways to wide, bustling boulevards, from medieval churches to Stalin skyscrapers and to modern, glass buildings towering over everything and of course in the center of it all is the Kremlin and the magnificent Red Square. Moscow is also home to a fantastic, efficient and very beautiful metro system – each station having its own special design. In fact, Express to Russia’s Moscow metro tours and excursions are some of our most popular attractions that we offer. On our Moscow tours, you will see this and more.

Moscow Tours centering on Russian History

Moscow has a long and interesting history and has been the capital of Russia in many of its different iterations – capital of the Grand Duchy of Moscow , the Russian Empire and of course the Soviet Union (who could ever forget the Soviet Union?). Moscow, was founded in the 12th century by Prince Yuri Dolgaruki (Yuri of the long arms – he really did have long arms!). From that time on, it was home to the Russian Tsars until Peter the Great moved the capital to St. Petersburg in 1703. The city has survived invasions and sieges from the Mongols, the Tartars, the Poles, Lithuanians and Napoleon but has always persevered. Our Moscow tours will enlighten you on this great history and give you insights into Muscovites and their unique culture. Our Moscow tours show you what the city is like today but also brings to life the past. Moscow never seems to sleep and is bursting with energy. A Moscow tour with Express to Russia is truly the best way of getting to know Russia’s largest and most vibrant city.

Frequently Asked Questions From Our Travelers

What is the best time to visit moscow.

Any time of year is fine depending on what you plan to do. Summertime is pleasantly warm, ideal for exploring the city and its vibrant atmosphere, but Moscow will be much busier and accommodation is more expensive. Winter can be quite cold but beautiful nonetheless, and this is unproblematic if you intend to spend most of your trip in museums and galleries. There are also various festivals and events organised throughout the year. For more information about the best time to visit, read our guide

How many days are enough in Moscow?

If you plan your itinerary strategically and aren’t averse to a packed schedule, you can cover Moscow’s main sights over a long weekend. Most popular attractions are in the city centre, and the Moscow Metro allows you to cover much ground in a small amount of time. Ensure that your accommodation is fairly central and book tickets in advance, so that you can make the most of your days. For an informative and well-organised day out, check out our Moscow day tours with options to suit all interests.

Do they speak English in Moscow?

As Russia’s capital city, tourists are well accommodated in Moscow. There should be English-speaking staff in restaurants, bars, hotels, shops and attractions in tourist hotspots, and there are also English-speaking tourist police. Transport services have English translations on their maps and English announcements via intercom; alternatively, order taxis from the Yandex Taxi app (Russian Uber), though it’s unlikely that your taxi driver will speak English. If you get stuck and cannot communicate, it’s fine to use Google Translate.

Is it safe to travel to Moscow?

It is no less safe to travel to Moscow than to any European city if you exercise common sense and look after your belongings. As with every city some regions can be more unsavoury than others, but no tourist attractions are located there. The traffic in Moscow is notorious, so exercise caution when crossing roads. Do not take unlicensed taxis; book in advance or take public transport, which is widespread and perfectly safe. If you encounter any problems, look for the special tourist police who can help you. For more information, read our guide about staying safe in Russia .

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Review Roundup: LES MISERABLES Launches New National Tour

Read the reviews for Les Miserables here!

The new National Tour of Les Miserables launched earlier this month in Cleveland.

The engagement plays through October 30 before embarking on a multi-city North American Tour.

Celebrated tour alums Nick Cartell and Preston Truman Boyd return to the barricades to portray the fugitive 'Jean Valjean' and 'Inspector Javert,' respectively. They are joined by Matt Crowle as 'Thénardier,' Christina Rose Hall as 'Madame Thénardier,' Haley Dortch as 'Fantine,' Devin Archer as 'Enjolras,' Christine Heesun Hwang as 'Éponine,' Gregory Lee Rodriguez as 'Marius' and Addie Morales as 'Cosette.' Cora Jane Messer and Hazel Vogel alternate in the role of 'Little Cosette/Young Éponine.' Harrison Fox and Gabriel Lafazan alternate in the role of 'Gavroche.'

Read the reviews so far below!

Playhouse Square- KeyBank State Theatre - Cleveland, Oh

Joey Morona, Cleveland.com : "Les Misérables" has always been an intimidating story to immerse yourself in, whether it's the novel or the musical. It's a lot of plot that if your attention is diverted for even a moment, it's easy to get lost. Readers of the book can just turn back a few pages. That's not an option when watching a musical, particularly one where every word is sung. That learning curve is made that much steeper when it's difficult at times to make out every word they're singing, whether it be an issue with the sound mix, the acoustics of the venue or the fact that multiple cast members are often singing, sometimes different lyrics, at the same time.

Roy Berko, BroadwayWorld : Both the solos and choral work is outstanding. Thankfully the cast interpreted the meaning of the lyrics rather than just singing words. This was obvious, for example, in "One Day More," the sure-thing show stopper, which was mesmerizing.

Sheri Gross, Jewish News : This particular production, with its articulate cast, its beautiful visuals (albeit a little dimly lit), and the near perfect sound balance makes for a show that is much easier to understand. And without the pressure of trying to hear a show, understand a show, and read about a show at the same time, suddenly audience members have the freedom to really digest and appreciate the timelessness and importance of the show's many themes.

Christine Howey, Scene : That's part of the magic of this show. The memories stay with you, along with the full complement of goose bumps. In this production, Preston Truman Boyd almost stops the show as Javert when he nails "Stars," especially when he shifts into a different gear in the last line, "This I swear by the stars." Although not imposing physically, Boyd creates a suitable villain all the way through his climactic plunge.

Providence Performing Arts Center - Providence, RI

Barb Burke, BroadwayWorld : Nick Cartell 's Jean Valjean is phenomenal. He brings great range to Valjean, both theatrically and musically, showing us the many facets of the hero from his early rage and savagery to his selfless dedication to Cosette. Cartell's return to his pre-pandemic role is reason enough to see the show.

Ken Abrams, What's Up Newp : Needless to say, the music is timeless, a level or two above typical Broadway fare. The leads were robust, with Nick Cartell's Valjean and Hayden Tee's Javert standing out. The full ensemble pieces "Do You Hear the People Sing" and "At the End of the Day" were especially memorable.

Benedum Center for the Performing Arts - Pittsburgh, PA

Jordana Rosenfeld, Pittsburgh City Paper: Among the performers, who are all skilled and well-cast, Christine Heesun Hwang stands out as Éponine, one of the play's most tragic characters, in part because her more contemporary vocal style cuts through the sometimes monotonous, florid vibrato of many soloists. Hwang and Dortch deliver masterful and moving renditions of two of musical theater's most dramatic and ambitious ballads "On My Own," and "I Dreamed a Dream," respectively, that are at once lovely and wrenching.

Laura, Pgh Lesbian : Although the musical has as one of its major themes unrequited love, I think one of the main themes is how authoritarian regimes punish their citizen for minor offenses (19 years for stealing a slice of bread!) and keep their citizens in poverty and misery. The musical certainly shows various wealthy characters throughout who abuse and disregard "the lesser citizens." Les Miserables expounds upon how those in poverty feel about their treatment and place in society which invariably leads to a revolution.

Uihlein Hall at Marcus Center For The Performing Arts - Milwaukee, WI

Kelsey Lawler, BroadwayWorld : But avid Les Mis fans stomach the heartache of the story for the beauty of music and text by Boublil & Schönberg. Fans can rest assured that this touring production, like the one before it, fully delivers. How could it not? It's the same stirring songs, the same heart-rending tragedy, the same characters theatergoers have loved and loved to hate for over 35 years and counting. We go to Les Mis to be transported, to marvel at singers and staging, and to have a good cry (just me?).

Aly Prouty, Spectrum News 1 : I do not have enough good things to say about this musical. It's perfectly cast, stunningly set, beautifully sung, provides the perfect combination of emotions and left me wanting to watch it again and again. Yes, even after three hours.

Orpheum Theatre - Minneapolis, MN

Jared Fessler, BroadwayWorld : It was wonderful to see this global phenomen production again. The whole set, production, and costumes, were magnificent. You felt like you were in 1900th century France. The set transitions and the lighting affects were effective in feeling like you were in the battle, on the ship, the scene with Javier was powerful as he is falling into the water.

Fox Theatre - St. Louis, MO

Rob Levy, BroadwayWorld : Leading the show is Nick Cartell as the angst-ridden Jean Valjean. Electrifying on stage, he gives the troubled protagonist a formidable pathos that underscores the tumult of 19th-century France. As a singer his voice is in top form, especially on At the End of the Day and for his solos on Who Am I? and Bring Him Home. Equally powerful is Preston Truman Boyd as Javert. Capturing the inspector's unyielding determination in a mesmeric performance, his dastardly, relentless, and cunning turn make Javert's unsavory and frightening foe.

Mark Bretz, LaDue News : "Les Miserables" is an epic musical based on an epic novel. Yet, at its core, it remains a defining tale of love rising above injustice, handsomely acted, beautifully sung and hauntingly etched in the hearts of its ever-growing legion of fans.

Blumenthal Performing Arts Center - Charlotte, NC

Amanda Harry, Livin' Charlotte : It was action-packed. The story takes place against the backdrop of 19th-century France as a rebellion builds. It follows a decades-long rivalry between the protagonist and antagonist, so there's a great deal of action throughout the play. The onstage battles are tense, well-choreographed, and even brutal at some points.

Hippodrome Theatre - Baltimore, MD

Sue Tilberry, MD Theatre Guide : The vocals are extraordinary. The solos by Valjean (Nick Cartell); Javert (Preston Truman Boyd); Cosette's mother, Fantine (Haley Dortch); the Thénardiers' daughter, Eponine (Christine Heesun Hwang); and the young student, Marius (Gregory Lee Rodriguez), with whom Cosette falls in love, are spine tingling and nearly perfect. The entire cast is equally talented in the ensemble numbers.

Orpheum Theater - Omaha, NE

Courtney Brummer-Clark, Omaha World-Herald : In the touring company production now at the Orpheum, actor Nick Cartell has this monumental task, and to say that he is successful at it is a vast understatement. From his first song in the "Prologue" to his final notes in the "Finale," Cartell has total ownership of who Valjean is supposed to be - a hero who never considers himself a hero. He is merely a man doing what he believes he is supposed to, even when it isn't easy to do so.

Clowes Hall - Indianapolis, IN

The Marriage Matinee, BroadwayWorld : Let's be honest. LES MISÉRABLES as a production will not succeed without a superb Jean Valjean. Everything hinges on him, and the wrong casting will set everything akimbo. So I was a little disheartened to hear we'd have an understudy. But I need to learn my lesson: understudies can bring it , and that was exactly the case with Randy Jeter . You could tell he brought a hunger to this role that gave it an extra boost of vitality and passion. He found a wonderful foil in his counterpart, Javert, played by Preston Truman Boyd . Boyd also brought hunger but reined in and compressed so it was cold and hard, just like his character.

Kennedy Center - Washington, D.C.

Olivia Murray, BroadwayWorld : Les Miz veteran, Nick Cartell, continues his reign as Jean Valjean and, as always, stuns everyone in the theater. Having seen Cartell in other runs of Les Miz, I was very excited to see his performance again. This time, he brought a deeper sense of maturity to the role that was very enjoyable to watch. You watch Jean Valjean's life unfurl with Cartell's storytelling as he shows how much he has endured as the years continue on in the story. Continuously having a stellar vocal performance, we do see Valjean age as he tires from avoiding his past, which indicates how much Cartell has been able to grow with this character and embody Jean Valjean to his fullest potential.

Jeannette Mulherin, MD Theatre Guide : The much-loved musical score demands vocal and dramatic gifts, which the cast has in spades. Jean Valjean (Nick Cartell) delivers unforgettable renditions of "Who am I?" and "Bring Him Home" and Fantine (Haley Dortch) sings a haunting "I Dreamed a Dream." Christine Heesun Hwang (Eponine) performs a mesmerizing "On My Own" and Javert (Preston Truman Boyd), Jean Valjean's uncompromising nemesis, reveals his true character in a searing "Stars." Thénardier (Matt Crowle) and Madame Thénardier (Christina Rose Hall) provide the story's comic relief with wit, charm, and superb renditions of "Master of the House," and "Beggars at the Feast." The company sings "Do You Hear the People Sing" and "One Day More" with commitment and power.

Kansas City Music Hall - Kansas City, MO

Ivy Anderegg, The Pitch : Nick Cartell (playing Jean Valjean) was perfectly cast as the driving force of the show, bringing power to the role with impressive tenor belts and an especially heart-melting performance of "Bring Him Home" that, despite the devastating scene at hand, was met with a roaring crowd in the middle of Act Two. Furthermore, Cartell's integrity with the character affirmed the humanity of each character, even the militant Javert (Preston Truman Boyd), embodying the theme of kindness and compassion for all.

The 5th Avenue Theatre - Seattle, WA

Jay Irwin, BroadwayWorld : With music by Claude-Michel Schönberg and lyrics by  Herbert Kretzmer , from the original French text by  Alain Boublil  and  Jean-Marc Natel , this is not your standard fare of Musical Theater as people do not burst into song when the emotions are too high.  On the contrary, they start off singing and never cease, making it more of an Opera.  So don’t expect rousing dance numbers or dialog, instead just hang on for some of the most glorious voices, belting their emotions to the high heavens.  And that’s what makes this production so good, all that emotion.  I’ve seen uninspired productions where the talented singers come out and sing the pretty words well, but this show is more than just the pretty words.  It’s a complex story of love and loss and deserves to be told and that’s what this talented cast does, they tell the story. 

George S. and Dolores Dore Eccles Theatre - Salt Lake City, UT

Tyler Hinton, BroadwayWorld :  Nick Cartell  is an absolutely phenomenal Jean Valjean, heading up the strong cast with a gorgeous clear tenor voice and heartrending character performance.   Devin Archer  as Enjolras brings a similar powerful singing voice and acting chops, as does  Christine Heesun Hwang  as Eponine.

Nancy Van Valkenburg, Gephardt Daily : Haley Dortch gives her role as Fantine a beautiful, soulful voice and a quiet dignity despite her worsening circumstances, and Addie Morales brings a beautiful lyricism and joy to adult Cosette, who falls for Marius, a young man with enough honor and vision to impress Valjean. Gregory Lee Rodriguez is perfect in the role.

Ryan Painter, KUTV : Last night’s performance at the George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Theater was a sublime experience. Culled from a pool of the world’s best actors, the touring cast is every bit as good as what you’d see in London or New York. They’ve updated some of the visual effects, stage design, and blocking. Javert’s fall worked particularly well. I liked Nick Cartell as Jean Valjean and Preston Truman Boyd is a strong Javert. I tend to favor Fantine and Eponine over the other characters. Haley Dortch’s Fantine was quite good. I miss the intimacy of Anne Hathaway’s performance in the film adaptation, but I’m happy to see Dortch give the character a different kind of flare. Christine Heesun Hwang’s Eponine provided the highlight of the night. Her version of “On My Own” was jaw-dropping amazing. Had it been appropriate, I would have given her a standing ovation immediately.

Orpheum Theatre - San Francisco, CA

Steve Murray, BroadwayWorld :  Les Miserables  remains a crowd favorite as it delivers a multitude of satisfying theatre elements: new and unrequited love, obsessions with duty at any cost, justice, rebirth, the effects of battle, greed, and mercy. Combined with the 19th century period setting and its stunning costumes ( Andreane Neofitou , additional costume designs by  Christine Rowland  and  Paul Wills ) and the famous barricade set design ( Matt Kinley ),  Les Mis  is the total package.

Saroyan Theatre - Fresno, CA

James Ward, Visalia Times Delta : While the version of “Les Miserables” that landed at the Saroyan has jettisoned the massive rotating stage in favor of nifty projected images and a scaled-down, if still impressive on-stage barricade, it features some “oh wow” stagecraft moments.

Pantages Theatre - Los Angeles, CA

Tracey Paleo, BroadwayWorld : While the new orchestrations by  Stephen Metcalfe ,  Christopher Jahnke  and Stephen Booker, were stunning, the vocal interpretations were breathy rather than full bodied, often nearly spoken instead of sung, and far more percussive and violent than one might remember this now modern classic musical to be.  The singers seemed to be singing far ahead of the notes, creating a frantic delivery that did not begin to ease until Jean Valjean’s second act number, “Bring Him Home.”

Katcy Stephan, Variety : Valjean’s scenes with Javert, expertly played by Preston Truman Boyd, are among the most compelling moments in the production, with aching desperation from both men driving each confrontation further until the rivalry hits its boiling point in a devastating finale.

Victoria Munck, Daily Bruin : However, the   solo numbers are what truly carry the drama’s impassioned beauty. In the tragic “I Dreamed a Dream,” the hopeless Fantine (Haley Dortch) commands attention with her smooth vocals and divinely held notes, leaving listeners broken-hearted while only four songs into the show. Cartell also brings an unrelenting power to Valjean’s numerous ballads, with the hard-hitting “Bring Him Home” serving as a clear standout. The prayerful song he sings to implore that he dies in place of Marius (Gregory Lee Rodriguez)   after the musical’s climatic battle features an enchanting falsetto that pushes his desperation further. Even Cosette (Addie Morales) – whose soprano occasionally suggests a whine – effectively conveys her immense feelings for Marius in an elegant rendition of “In My Life.”

Segerstrom Center for the Arts - Costa Mesa, CA

Christopher Smith, The Orange County Register : Jean Valjean, of course, is the show’s compass, events tilting around his choices. It’s up to the actor to make his incredible journey seem credible and Cartell’s performance steers us well. As for the singing, his beautiful tenor clarity and its staggering staying power through his 11 o’clock number “Bring Him Home” is stunning.

Michael Quintos, BroadwayWorld : Whether you're a long-time or brand new fan of the show's memorable songs or the show's arresting stagecraft, this rather impressive, high-quality sung-through musical offers both dedicated fans and casual theatergoers something to love about it. There's an implied high-brow, intellectual quality about it that somehow also positions it as populist entertainment. 

Civic Theatre - San Diego, CA

Pam Kragen, The San Diego Union Tribune : Nick Cartell leads the 32-member cast as Jean Valjean. He’s a sensitive song interpreter and passionate actor, and he has an angelic singing voice that’s perfect for the role. Preston Truman Boyd impresses with his vocal power and sheer menace as Javert, the policeman who doggedly pursues Valjean for decades due to his parole violation.

SAFE Credit Union Performing Arts Center - Sacramento , CA

Courtney Symes, BroadwayWorld : Jean Valjean translates well to modern audiences, except his nineteen-year prison sentence for stealing a loaf of bread would equate to, at the most, a sideways glance in today’s court. His compassion for the downtrodden and his redemptive transformation from beggar to savior sits well with a populace that has seen massive strides in acceptance and inclusion in the past several years. Songs like “Look Down” seem particularly timely, especially in California, as homeless rates soar. I encountered a man lying on the sidewalk just tonight, so the words carried a unique poignancy. 

First Interstate Center for the Arts - Spokane, WA

Amanda Sullender, The Spokesman-Review : The standout member of the production’s cast is Preston Truman Boyd as the dogged Inspector Javert – who was able to menace the audience as well as Prisoner 24601 with his low baritone. As Javert’s mental state unravels near the end of the show, Boyd’s preening that had intimidated before melts into a shadow of a man realizing his life’s mission was a lie.

ASU Gammage - Tempe, AZ

Herbert Paine, BroadwayWorld : The flagship 1980s British import mega-musical has docked at Tempe’s Gammage Auditorium with a one-weekend run of its North American Tour. This production of  LES MISÉRABLES,  affectionately called  LES MIZ  by many, is a solid rendition of the epic musical and a talent showcase for performers and designers.

Music Hall at Fair Park - Dallas, TX

Abbey Bowling, CW33 : Nick Cartell plays Valjean with strength and touching vulnerability, showing the character’s progression from a hardened convict to a reformed man — a transformation that is most evident in “Bring Him Home,” a moving ballad in which Valjean prays for Marius’ safety after the massacre at the barricade. Preston Truman Boyd commands the stage in the role of Javert. From his staunch loyalty of the law to a man haunted by an act of mercy, Boyd portrays the complexities of the character with surprising delicacy — most notably in “Soliloquy.”

Lied Center for Performing Arts - Lincoln, NE

Zach Hammack, Journal Star : All the theatrical fireworks aside, it's the sublimely beautiful vocal solos of love, longing and, at times, despair, that stick with a person long after the curtain drops.

Civic Center Music Hall - Oklahoma City, OK

Brett Fieldcamp, Oklahoma City Free Press

Hobby Center for the Performing Arts - Houston, TX

Sara Davidson, The Rice Thresher : Overall, the performance of “Les Misérables” proved to be one of the most spectacular shows the Hobby Center has seen in a while. The singers were amazing, complementing each other while still proving to be individual vocal powerhouses. From start to finish, they captivated the audience, even the large percent who snuck in after the opening number with their phone flashlights glaring for the world to see. Each number proved to be a dramatic affair, and the show received a standing ovation at the end. 

Orpheum Theatre Memphis - Memphis, TN

AniKatrina Fageol, BroadwayWorld :  Nick Cartell  is no stranger to the role of Valjean and it certainly shows. The musical notes flow efortlessly and I heard more than one sniffle during the iconic ballad "Bring Him Home". The same can be said for  Haley Dortch , whose Fantine captivates the audience and manages to belt out "I Dreamed a Dream" (one of the most iconic songs in musical theatre history) with poise and fierceness before Fantine ultimately turns to her own demise in order to save her young child.  Matt Crowle  and  Victoria Huston-Elem  manage to bring comedy to the stage in moments where it is desprately needed! Their portrayal of the Thenardiers, a couple who perfect at swindling and thieving, brings refreshing laughter to the story. My other call outs are Delayney Guyer and  Jake  David Smith , who bring a fresh new side to Cosette and Marius and actually play them as love-struck teenagers, something I have not seen done many times in the past. "A Heart Full of Love" is not just a lovely ballad but a painfully awkward love-confession, which makes the song comedic as well as wholesome. I loved seeing these characters as socially inept at times, as we often ony see the ingenue and nothing else. Kudos to these two for bringing them to life in such a fun way and providing some well-needed comedy (it can't all fall to the Thenardiers, after all) 

Overture Center - Madison, WI

Anna Kleibner, The Daily Cardinal : Having seen this same tour in December 2022 in Milwaukee, it’s always thrilling to see what different performers will bring to these well-known roles. While Cartell remained impressive in both performances and was my personal favorite portrayal of Valjean to date, Preston Truman Boyd’s performance as Javert was unlike any other, standing out from prior actors I have seen in the same role. 

Allison Garfield, The Cap Times : Filled with powerhouse performances across the board from the leading actors, the show delivers on the songs audiences have come to love while offering modern twists through intricate lighting sequences and high-tech visual backdrops. 

Fox Cities Performing Arts Center - Appleton, WI

Jarrod Michael, BroadwayWorld :   The current touring production features an incredible company of performers, masterfully crafted scenic design, and flawless transitions that all work collaboratively to unite every soul in the theatre. The ensemble is the best in the business, and enhanced the production with every interaction and microstoryline. Projections can often distract the audience, but with a watercolor painting effect, they enhanced the design of this show in a way that is not often seen. 

 Kelli Arseneau, Post Crescent : It's no shock to learn Cartell has numerous years under his belt playing Valjean in "Les Misérables." The musical is a bit of a vocal marathon for the lead, and Cartell absolutely succeeded. His voice has impressive control, and he could switch on a dime from a booming, operatic tenor to a powerful rock-like, straight-tone, to unwaveringly powerful yet impossibly quiet held notes, like in the ballad "Bring Him Home."

Civic Center Of Greater Des Moines - Des Moines, IA

DC Felton, BroadwayWorld : Now, if you are expecting the original production, this is different. The show was reimagined in London in 2009 for its 25th anniversary. This is the version that now tours the United States and played a two-and-a-half-year run on Broadway. Having seen this production the last time the tour came through, I could appreciate it in a new way.  

Shea's Performing Arts Center - Buffalo, NY

Peter Hall,  Buffalo Rising:  This touring production comes closest to what the great Ring Cycle opera composer Wagner described as his goal: a  Gesamtkunstwerk , or “total work of art,” combining all the elements of art in one theatrical offering.  This includes the beautiful music and the powerful singing, the realistic sets and fascinating projections (Matt Kinley), the costumes (Andreane Neofitou, Christine Rowland, and Paul Wills), and the lighting which was almost a character itself (Paule Constable). 

Proctor's Theatre - Schenectady, NY

Bill Kellert, Nippertown : From a design standpoint, the production has taken the best of the past several iterations. The sets are stunning and have been combined with some beautiful rear projections that bring 1800' Paris to life. Will Curry's musical direction is outstanding, the 17 piece orchestra with the musicians playing in excess of two dozen instruments is lush, exciting and captivating.

Princess of Wales Theatre - Toronto, CA

Samantha Wu, BroadwayWorld : The leading cast includes a few new faces taking on the titular roles and yet they fit into these roles like a glove. Boyd as Inspector Javert is phenomenal - his commanding presence and booming baritone immediately capture's the audience's attention and leaves the crowd stunned.  Haley Dortch  takes on the much beloved yet short-lived role of Fantine. The emotional pinnacle for her lies in the song "I Dreamed a Dream" and Dortch's voice soars to the rafters and brings the audience along with her. Enjolras has always been a personal favorite character and here he is played by  Devin Archer , who embodies the rock star nature of the character seamlessly.

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