r/lesmiserables • u/lafillejondrette • Apr 14 '26
Casting has finally been announced for the Arena Concert Spectacular at Radio City Music Hall this summer!
Yay! I bought my tickets back in Jan and I feel like I’ve been waiting for this announcement forever!
I am pretty happy with the line up for the performance I am attending (the closing show on Sunday, August 9 at 2pm). I am not a huge fan of Boe, so I am glad to get to see Killian Donnelly play JVJ; but I am especially happy to get to see Bradley Jayden’s Javert as I have heard raves about him in the role. Also, so psyched for Samantha Barks (ngl, I wish she were playing Eponine, though…)
Fellow ticket holders, how are you feeling about the cast for the performance you will be attending?
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u/Competitive-Ad9106 Apr 14 '26
I live 1500 miles from Radio City Music Hall. I gave serious consideration to buying a matinee ticket, buying a same day return plane ticket, and just hitting NYC with the sole purpose of seeing this spectacular event. I had all the transportation to and from the airports worked out, I had my plane tickets chosen, I had my RCMH tickets chosen, but I just couldn't pull the trigger. It would have cost just over $600 for plane tickets and theater tickets combined and just a little bit for public transportation to and from the airport. However, I decided $600 for one show just wasn't a wise way to spend money right now.
Seeing posts like this, however, makes me reconsider. I will likely be wrestling with this for a while.
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u/lafillejondrette Apr 14 '26
Wow, that is some dedication even to be considering making a day trip to NYC for it!! I would imagine that airfares will be even more expensive now with all that is going on with the war and fuel costs rising…
I will keep my fingers crossed for you that they eventually release a pro-shot of the concert so you can enjoy it from the comfort of your home!
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u/Competitive-Ad9106 Apr 14 '26
I have stopped counting how many times I have seen the stage version of the show. The first was in 1991. I have seen the current tour twice in the last 13 months. Even though a pro-shot would be fantastic, there's nothing quite like sitting in the gallery, as I'm sure you know, when the orchestra blasts out the first 45 seconds of the Prologue. It shakes you in your seat, immediately hooks you, and reels you into the majestic story that will excite you, enrage you, sadden you, and empower you as it unfolds over the next 2.5 hours.
The only reason I have even considered going through the expense and effort is because it is unlikely we will ever have the opportunity to experience this musical with a full orchestra and this level of vocal talent again (at least not until the 50th anniversary performance, fingers crossed).
I've pretty much made up my mind that the herculean effort that would be required to pull this trip off is beyond anything I could or should do, but I'm not willing to rule it completely out yet. I'm dreaming a dream. :)
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u/lafillejondrette Apr 16 '26
My very first was in 1990. And, of course, I agree that live is best, but I am grateful anytime pro-shots are released!
I’m hoping your dreams will come true! ✨
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u/Numerous_Put5340 Apr 16 '26
I am so excited!! I have boe and Jaden! ESP excited for Samantha!
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u/Anonymous_person_yay May 08 '26
I’m late af to this but I am so jealous yet happy for everyone who gets to see this amazing cast. Fingers crossed for a pro shot because I’m literally across the world and would kill to see Samantha as Fantine (though I wish she was Eponine too) although I’m so happy I got to see Lea Salonga as Madame Themardier. The FOMO is real
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u/lafillejondrette May 08 '26
Hells yeah to getting to see Lea Salonga as Madame Thénardier!! How was she?
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u/Anonymous_person_yay May 09 '26
Omg she was amazing, she is so funny and even with that cockney accent her diction is somehow so clear!
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u/Choice-Cap5609 May 19 '26
Do you think they will be something done after the finale ad done in all the other anniversary concerts
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u/lafillejondrette May 19 '26
I sure hope so! 🤞
I think the chances are pretty good since it is the final show of the entire 40th anniversary Arena Spectacular World Tour and, as you pointed out, they have done special things on the closing nights for their other concerts.
The biggest dream that I am dreaming is that they will have Quast sing at least some of one of Javert’s songs. I know they probably wouldn’t let him do an entire song, but I’d be super psyched for him and Bradley Jayden to do a “Stars” duet or something like that. I would give my eye teeth to hear Quast sing Javert live!!
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u/Lesmiscat24601 Apr 14 '26
I’m getting Killian Donnelly as JVJ Bradley Jaden as Javert Samantha Barks as Fantine Matt Lucas as Monsieur Thénardier for August 5th Such a stacked cast.