Tony Winner Lea Salonga to Join Les Miz as Fantine

Lea Salonga, the Tony Award-winning star of Miss Saigon, will return to Broadway as Fantine in Cameron Mackintosh's new production of LES MISÉRABLES beginning March 6 at The Broadhurst Theatre (235 West 44th Street). This will mark Salonga's second appearance on Broadway in LES MISÉRABLES, first having received critical acclaim for her portrayal of Eponine in 1993 in the original Broadway production.

Due to strong box-office and enthusiastic audiences, LES MISÉRABLES recently announced an extension through at least the summer of 2007, and Salonga will stay with the production through the entire period. As previously announced, the production's current Fantine, Daphne Rubin-Vega, will depart LES MISÉRABLES on February 18 to star in Jack Goes Boating with Philip Seymour Hoffman. Ensemble member Nikki Renée Daniels will perform the role of Fantine from February 20 through March 4.

Lea Salonga catapulted to international stage stardom when she was chosen to star as Kim in the 1989 London world premiere of Boublil and Schonberg's Miss Saigon, produced by Cameron Mackintosh. Only 17 at the time, the Philippines native Salonga received critical acclaim and went on to win the Olivier Award as Best Actress in a Musical. In 1991, she reprised her performance on Broadway, again earning rave reviews and winning the Tony Award as Best Actress in a Musical, along with Best Actress honors from the Drama Desk and the Outer Critics' Circle. Salonga returned to Miss Saigon twice during the show's near decade long run, each time bringing in sold-out houses. Salonga became the first Asian actress ever to play Eponine on Broadway in LES MISÉRABLES in 1993, reprising that performance in the London production, in Hawaii, and in the legendary 10th Anniversary Concert at London's Royal Albert Hall.

Salonga returned to Broadway in 2002, starring in the revival of Rodgers & Hammerstein's Flower Drum Song. In 2005, she played her first U.S concert tour, culminating with a sold-out evening at Carnegie Hall. She has released several albums, which have sold millions of copies worldwide. Salonga was also the singing voice of Mulan in Disney's "Mulan" and as "Jasmine" in Disney's "Aladdin."

Her U.S television appearances include "Redwood Curtain" with Jeff Daniels, a guest-starring role on "ER" and a recurring role on "As the World Turns" in 2002-03.

For tickets and performance information, please call telecharge.com at (212) 239-6200 or on-line at www.telecharge.com, or www.lesmiserables.com

Related Links Drew Sarich is New Valjean in Les Miserables, July 23 Drew Sarich will assume the role of 'Jean Valjean' in the new Broadway production of Les Miserables at the Broadhurst Theatre, beginning Monday, July 23, succeeding Alexander Gemignani. BWW TV: Broadway Beat - Lea Salonga, Talk Radio and Angels This week on Broadway Beat catch up with Lea Salonga who has returned to Broadway in Les Miserables; meet the cast and creative at Opening Night of Talk Radio and catch a glimpse of a new show called Angels. The show finishes out with a Lea performing a rousing rendition of "Defying Gravity" from her concert at Carnegie Hall! Photo Coverage: Les Miz 20th Anniversary Party The cast of Les Miserables recently celebrated the 20th Broadway anniversary of the musical, as well as the recent addition of Tony Award-winner Lea Salonga to the cast. Les Miserables Extends Through Summer 2007 Producer Cameron Mackintosh announced today that his new production of LES MISÉRABLES will continue to call the Broadhurst Theatre home at least through the summer of 2007 Purchase Tickets Click Here to Purchase Tickets to Les Misérables On BWW.TV

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