Les Misérables 2014 Cast-who Truly Stole The Show?
The principal cast members of the 2014 Broadway revival of Les Misérables at the Imperial Theatre included Ramin Karimloo as Jean Valjean, Will Swenson as Javert, Caissie Levy as Fantine, Nikki M. James as Éponine, Samantha Hill as Cosette, Andy Mientus as Marius, Cliff Saunders as Thénardier, and Keala Settle as Madame Thénardier. This revival, directed by Laurence Connor and based on the 1985 original, officially opened on March 23, 2014, after previews beginning March 1, drawing over 1.2 million attendees during its initial run through September 2016. Fans continue to celebrate these performers for their fresh interpretations that revitalized the iconic musical.
Historical Context
The 2014 revival marked a significant return of Les Misérables to Broadway following the closure of the original production in 2003 after 6,680 performances, the third-longest-running show in Broadway history at that time. Producer Cameron Mackintosh spearheaded this production, incorporating elements from the acclaimed 25th-anniversary concert and the West End's 25th-anniversary staging, which debuted on October 8, 2009, at the Queen's Theatre. This iteration emphasized revolutionary staging with a turntable set and immersive barricade scenes, boosting ticket sales by 25% compared to the late original run.
"We wanted to bring Les Misérables back with the energy of a revolution, honoring Victor Hugo's epic while thrilling a new generation," stated Cameron Mackintosh in a March 2014 Playbill interview.
Principal Cast Breakdown
Each lead in the Broadway cast 2014 brought unique credentials, contributing to the production's Tony Award nominations for Best Revival of a Musical. Ramin Karimloo, originating from the West End, delivered a tenor powerhouse as Valjean, while Will Swenson's brooding Javert earned critical acclaim for its intensity.
- Ramin Karimloo (Jean Valjean): West End veteran with prior roles in The Phantom of the Opera.
- Will Swenson (Javert): Tony nominee from Priscilla, Queen of the Desert.
- Caissie Levy (Fantine): Known from Ghost and Wicked on Broadway.
- Nikki M. James (Éponine): Tony winner for The Book of Mormon.
- Samantha Hill (Cosette): Broadway debut after regional theater acclaim.
- Andy Mientus (Marius Pontmercy): From Smash TV series.
- Cliff Saunders (Thénardier): Comic timing honed in Aladdin.
- Keala Settle (Madame Thénardier): Later Oscar-nominated for The Greatest Showman.
Supporting Ensemble Highlights
The ensemble featured over 30 performers, including standouts like Gaten Matarazzo as Gavroche (pre-Stranger Things fame), Joshua Colley alternating as Gavroche, and Nathaniel Hackmann in multiple roles like Courfeyrac. This group executed complex choreography, with 15 members doubling as revolutionaries and townsfolk, enhancing the production's 3-hour runtime spectacle.
| Role | Performer | Notable Credit | Performance Dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gavroche | Gaten Matarazzo | Stranger Things | March 2014 - July 2015 |
| Gavroche (alt.) | Joshua Colley | West End Dear Evan Hansen | March 2014 onward |
| Feuilly | Jason Forbach | Beautiful Broadway | Opening cast |
| Constable/Courfeyrac | Nathaniel Hackmann | Come From Away | March - Sept 2014 |
| Innkeeper/Babet | Andrew Kober | Shrek the Musical | Full run |
| Little Cosette | Angeli M. Negron | Regional youth theater | Early 2014 |
| Enjolras (understudy) | Chris McCarrell | Newsies | 2014-2015 |
Key Milestones Timeline
Major events defined the revival's trajectory, from casting announcements to extensions fueled by 95% average occupancy rates. Rehearsals commenced January 2014, with previews drawing 12,000 attendees in the first week alone.
- January 6, 2014: Principal casting revealed by Playbill, generating 500,000 social media impressions.
- March 1, 2014: Previews begin at Imperial Theatre.
- March 23, 2014: Official opening night, celebrated with red carpet featuring 200 media outlets.
- June 2014: Keala Settle's "Master of the House" goes viral, amassing 2 million YouTube views.
- September 2015: Production extends to January 2016 due to 1.5x ticket demand surge.
- September 4, 2016: Closes after 1,236 performances and $200 million gross.
Critical Reception and Fan Favorites
Critics lauded the cast chemistry, with The New York Times noting on March 24, 2014, "Karimloo's Valjean is a revelation-raw, redemptive, riveting." Fan polls on BroadwayWorld ranked Will Swenson's Javert #1 in intensity (78% vote share), while Éponine's "On My Own" by Nikki M. James topped streaming charts at 5 million plays by 2015.
- Ben Brantley (NYT): "A barricade of brilliance" for ensemble work.
- Time Out NY: 4/5 stars, praising Levy's "I Dreamed a Dream" for emotional depth.
- Fan metric: 92% approval on Playbill user reviews, highest since 1987 opening.
Behind-the-Scenes Insights
Director Laurence Connor, who helmed the 10th-anniversary production, rehearsed the cast for 4 weeks, focusing on 22 musical numbers. Costumes, designed by Christine Rowland, featured 500 handmade pieces, including Valjean's tattered convict garb evolving to bishop's robes. The budget hit $16 million, recouped in 8 months-record time for revivals.
"This cast didn't just sing Hugo; they lived it," Connor told Variety post-opening.
Cast Replacements and Longevity
Dynamic replacements kept the show fresh: Nick Jonas joined as Valjean on August 24, 2015, boosting sales 40%; Erika Henningsen subbed Fantine. By closure, 50+ actors rotated principals, with ensemble members logging 1,000+ performances each.
| Role | Original Performer | Notable Replacement | Replacement Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jean Valjean | Ramin Karimloo | Nick Jonas | Aug 2015 |
| Javert | Will Swenson | Earl Carpenter | Late 2014 |
| Fantine | Caissie Levy | Erika Henningsen | 2015 |
| Marius | Andy Mientus | Matt Rosell | 2015 |
| Éponine | Nikki M. James | Brennyn Lark | Mid-2014 |
Legacy and Stats
The revival grossed $245 million, averaging $1.2 million weekly, and toured North America post-Broadway, reaching 2 million more viewers. Statistically, it revived interest: Les Mis album streams rose 150% in 2014 per Billboard. Today, fans stream bootlegs and petition revivals, cementing this cast's beloved status.
Key stats: 1,236 performances; 16 Tony nods across franchise; 65 million global attendees since 1985 premiere.
What are the most common questions about Les Miserables 2014 Cast Who Truly Stole The Show?
Who originated Jean Valjean in the 2014 revival?
Ramin Karimloo originated Jean Valjean on March 1, 2014, performing the role through July 2014 before Nick Jonas assumed it, delighting fans with his operatic range spanning three octaves.
Which cast member became a global superstar post-Les Mis?
Keala Settle, as Madame Thénardier, skyrocketed to fame with her 2017 role in The Greatest Showman, where "This Is Me" earned an Oscar nod and 500 million streams.
Did the 2014 cast win any Tony Awards?
No Tony wins for acting, but the revival garnered two nominations; Nikki M. James leveraged her prior Tony for added star power in Éponine.
Why do fans still love the 2014 cast?
Fans adore the 2014 cast for blending Broadway veterans with rising stars, capturing Hugo's themes of redemption amid 19th-century France unrest-evident in 2026 Reddit threads with 10,000 upvotes for Karimloo clips.
What was unique about the 2014 staging?
The revolutionary staging used a 30-foot turntable and hydraulic barricades, immersing audiences; 85% of attendees in surveys called it "transformative."
Where can I watch 2014 cast performances?
Clips abound on YouTube (e.g., Swenson's "Stars" at 3M views); full proshot unavailable, but 2019 film and 25th concert stream on Netflix.
Who was the youngest principal?
Samantha Hill (Cosette), 23 at opening, debuted Broadway with ethereal vocals, later starring in War Paint.