LES MISÉRABLES THE MUSICAL

Les Misérables covers the span of two decades in 19th century France during which societal norms are presented via character struggles with love, redemption, and justice.

The musical opens in the year 1815 with the release of prisoner Jean Valjeans’s after 19 years incarcerated who decides that he will redeem himself for the theft he committed decades before. But he breaks parole, leading to his pursuit by Inspector Javert.

Several years later, now known as Monsieur Madeleine, a factory owner and mayor of Montreuil-sur-Mer, he encounters a worker of his who has been dismissed from her job due to giving birth to an illegitimate child, Cosette. Upon her death due to tuberculosis, Valjean pledges to care for the young girl as his own.

Skip forward to the 1832 June Rebellion (Paris Uprising) when idealist revolutionaries fight against the monarchial rule. It is during this time that the love triangle between Cosettte, Marius, and Éponine comes to light. It is also during this revolution that Valjean and Javert meet again at the barricades, inner conflict ultimately resulting in the policeman’s suicide.