LES MISÉRABLES' Toronto Opening Likely to be Delayed

Though an official announcement was made just under a month ago that the classic muscial LES MISÉRABLES would be opening in Toronto in July 2012, Cameron Mackintosh tells Toronto.com today that it's "highly unlikely" that the show will make that deadline.

According to the famed producer, it's a matter of getting it right rather than opening early: "We have more work to do," Mackintosh says. "[There are] more talented people to find. This city and this country are full of amazing individuals, but we just have to take the time to find them. The show has such a reputation for the stars it made the first time that we have to take care that we do our best to match them this time around."

The original Canadian production of Les Misérables opened on March 15, 1989 at the Royal Alexandra Theatre and ran for 63 weeks, winning rave reviews and captivating audiences. Subsequent Toronto engagements in 1991, 1992, 1998 and 2005 were sold-out successes.

As for the talk that the delays were, in part, due to the creative team insisting on a younger cast than usual, Mackintosh said that he does "want the trio [of Marius, Cosette, Eponine] to be very young. After all, they’re students, not pensioners. But it’s never really been an old show, and Ramin Karimloo, who’s about to start playing Valjean in London is just 33."

Based on Victor Hugo's classic novel, Les Misérables is an epic and uplifting story about the survival of the human spirit. The magnificent score of Les Misérables includes the classic songs; I Dreamed a Dream, On My Own, Stars, Bring Him Home, Do You Hear the People Sing?, One Day More, Empty Chairs at Empty Tables, Master Of The House and many more.

Mackintosh's new production of Boublil and Schönberg's Les Misérables has music by Claude-Michel Schönberg, lyrics by Herbert Kretzmer from the original French text by Alain Boublil and Jean-Marc Natel and additional material by James Fenton. The production is directed by Laurence Connor and James Powell, designed by Matt Kinley inspired by the paintings of Victor Hugo with costumes by Andreane Neofitou and additional costumes by Christine Rowlands, lighting by Paule Constable and sound by Mick Potter.

No delay has officially been announced. Read the Toronto.com article here.