Classic Masterpiece ‘Les Miserables” at the Fabulous Fox Week

Post author:independentnws
Post published:November 19, 2025
Post category:Entertainment / Travel / Events / Music / Theater

“Les Miserables” is an Epic Masterpiece,

On Stage at the Fabulous Fox ‘til Nov. 23

by Pat Lindsey

“Les Miserables” is one of the greatest musicals of all time. It is brilliant storytelling with a magnificent score. The current production at The Fabulous Fox Theatre, presented locally by STAGES St. Louis, is a triumph.

This gripping story of love and justice and is based on the classic 1862 Victor Hugo novel about Jean Valjean, a young man imprisoned for 19 years for stealing a loaf of bread to feed his nephew. To experience “Les Mis” is to travel on an emotional journey from a French prison through the streets and sewers of Paris and into the throes of the French Revolution.

Almost from the moment Jean Valjean (Nick Cartell) is released from prison, his parole officer, Javert (Preston Truman Boyd), is determined to imprison him again. Jean Valjean has no choice but to become a fugitive and begin his lifelong escape from incarceration. His new life on the run could have resulted in a serious life of crime had it not been for a wise bishop who challenged him to follow a different path.

Early in the story we meet Fantine (Lindsay Heather Pearce), a struggling single mother who is desperately trying to keep her young daughter, Cosette (Lillian Castner) alive. Life is especially difficult for Fantine as she resorts to prostitution to earn enough money for her daughter’s medication. Fantine eventually falls deathly ill and Jean Valjean is present at her deathbed to promise to raise her daughter for her. Before he can keep that promise, Valjean has to rescue Cosette from the cruel and goofy caregivers, M. Thenardier (Matt Crowle) and Madame Thenardier (Victoria Huston-Elem). These two characters initiate much needed comic relief and the audience rewards them for that during the curtain calls.

What also turns this otherwise depressing plot into a glorious theatrical experience is the stirring music and the well-developed main characters whose voices soar over a packed house. The voices of Jean Valjean and Javert are the windows to their souls as they continue their cat and mouse chase through several decades of 19th century France. Nick Cartell as Jean Valjean conveys warmth and tenderness with his beautiful tenor rendition of “Bring Him Home.” And Preston Truman Boyd’s deep rich tones are filled with passion when he delivers his “Soliloquy” in Act Two.

The three outstanding sopranos are Lindsay Heather Pearce, who plays the distressed Fantine; Alexa Lopez, sweet and lovely Cosette; and Jaedynn Latter, the dejected Eponine. All three give rave performances, but Latter’s solo of “On My Own” is exceptionally moving. There are many memorable songs in this score. My favorites are “I Dreamed a Dream” sung by Fantine (Pearce); “One Day More (sung by the Company);” “On My Own” sung by Eponine (Latter); and “Empty Chairs at Empty Tables” sung by Marius (Peter Neureuther). The music and stellar voices are like shining beams radiating from the darkness.

At the beginning of Act Two, a large barricade of wooden planks and old chairs has been built across the stage. In spite of its enormity, it’s not strong enough to protect the young students who are fighting against social injustice in an effort to create social reform for the poor and working classes. An older Jean Valjean has joined the fight. While he’s taking cover behind the barricade, he again faces Javert. He has the opportunity to shoot him, but he decides to let him go. Valjean also learns that a young insurrectionist named Marius (Peter Neureuther) is in love with his daughter, Cosette. A bloody, dramatic battle ensues. The French army kills most of the students, including a young high-spirited boy named Gavroche played by 9 year-old Cree-Silver Corley. Valjean and Marius are both wounded in battle, but Valjean anonymously saves Marius by carrying him through the sewers and away from the gunfire.

From phenomenal set design to casting to wig design and every kind of design in between, this production is perfection. Those elements combined with expert direction by Laurence Connor and James Powell make “Les Mis” an epic musical that continues to captivate audiences with its tale of love, justice, and the fight for freedom. It’s the play for the people.

“Les Miserables” is being presented at The Fabulous Fox Theatre through Sun., Nov. 23. Tickets are available through Metrotix at 314-534-1111 or visit The Fox box office. For more information, go to fabulousfox.com.

n Latter, the dejected Eponine. All three give rave performances, but Latter’s solo of “On My Own” is exceptionally moving. There are many memorable songs in this score. My favorites are “I Dreamed a Dream” sung by Fantine (Pearce); “One Day More (sung by the Company);” “On My Own” sung by Eponine (Latter); and “Empty Chairs at Empty Tables” sung by Marius (Peter Neureuther). The music and stellar voices are like shining beams radiating from the darkness.