Pat McRoberts Stars in LES MISERABLES at ZACH Theatre, Beg. Tonight

ZACH Theatre will present Austin's first professional theatre staging of international musical theatre sensation LES MISERABLES as the opening production of the 2013-14 season, the second season in the new Topfer Theatre, tonight, Sept. 25. The world's longest running musical, LES MISERABLES has been seen by more than 65 million people in 42 countries.

ZACH's production of LES MISERABLES will feature an all-star cast of 33 artists, including: Broadway stars Pat McRoberts as Jean Valjean and Nicholas Rodriguez as Inspector Javert, with acclaimed Austin actors JILL BLACKWOOD as Fantine, Felicia Dinwiddie as Mme. Thenardier, Roberto Araujo as M. Thenardier, ANDREW CANNATA as Marius, JOSHUA DENNING as Enjolras, and JENNIFER YOUNG as Cosette. LES MISERABLES is directed by Matt Lenz, who previously directed ZACH productions including GOD OF CARNAGE and AIDA, and was associate director of CATCH ME IF YOU CAN and HAIRSPRAY on Broadway.

"ZACH will reinvent LES MISERABLES by revisiting the heart of a piece that audiences continue to clamor to see on the stage," says Dave Steakley, producing artistic director. "With big soaring music, an epic-scale production, and the hallmark intimacy of the Topfer Theatre, ZACH's second season on the Karen Kuykendall stage will begin with a musical that will add to the legacy begun with RAGTIME last fall."

LES MISERABLES is based on the novel of the same name by French poet and playwright Victor Hugo. Set in early 19th-century France, it is the story of Jean Valjean, a French peasant of abnormal strength and potentially violent nature, and his quest for redemption after serving 19 years in jail for having stolen a loaf of bread for his starving sister's child. Valjean breaks his parole and starts life anew after a kindly bishop inspires him, but he is hunted relentlessly by the policeman Javert for breaking his parole, and must leave his past behind and keep his vow to raise the young orphaned Cosette. Along the way, Valjean and a slew of characters are swept into a revolutionary period in France, where a group of young idealists make their last stand at a street barricade.

The musical was originally conceived and produced in France, before its English-language adaptation, which opened at the Barbican Centre in London in 1985, launching what has become a global phenomenon.

Musical Direction by ALLEN ROBERTSON · Choreography by Greg Graham · Sound Design by CRAIG BROCK · Scenic Design by Cliff Simon · Costume Design by WHITNEY ADAMS · Lighting Design by MATT WEBB · Properties Design by SCOTT GROH · Stage Management by CATE TUCKER

The show will play ZACH's new Topfer Theatre, 202 South Lamar Blvd. (corner of Riverside Drive and South Lamar Blvd.), September 25, 2013- November 3, 2013. Champagne Opening and Press Night is Thursday, Oct. 3, followed by a reception with the stars of the show. Performances: Wednesday-Saturday at 7:30 p.m., Sunday at 2:30 p.m. GLBT Wilde Party with pre-show mixer is Thursday, Sept. 26.

To order tickets call 512-476-0541 ext. 1 or visit www.zachtheatre.org. Tickets range from $25-$105 (with ZACH's new dynamic ticket pricing, ticket prices for premium seats may vary based on demand). Student Rush Tickets: $18 one hour before showtime (with valid ID). ZACH's full bar opens one hour before showtime and remains open for one hour post-show.

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About ZACH Theatre: ZACH Theatre is Austin's leading professional producing theatre, employing more than 600 actors, musicians, and designers annually. Founded in 1932, ZACH is the longest running theatre company in Texas, and serves 95,000 adults and youth every year. ZACH creates its own nationally recognized plays and musicals that ignite the imagination, lift the spirit, and engage the community under the leadership of Producing Artistic Director Dave Steakley and Managing Director Elisbeth Challener. Now in its 80th year, ZACH continues to expand and engage with Austin, adding the new 420-seat, 32,000-square-foot Topfer Theatre to its performing arts campus, nearly doubling ZACH's capacity while retaining its hallmark intimate theatre-going experience. Visit www.zachtheatre.org for more information.