Les Miserables Newbie Alex Finke on How Alfie Boe Makes Her Feel & the Challenges of Playing Cosette

Age: 25

Hometown: Centerville, OH

Current Role: A Broadway debut as Cosette, loyal adoptive daughter of Jean Valjean (Alfie Boe) and object of Marius’ affection, in Les Miserables.

Stage Cred: Since graduating from the University of Michigan’s musical theater program, Finke has landed two juicy ingenue roles: Hope Harcourt in the national tour of Anything Goes and now lovestruck Cosette on Broadway.

"There’s a sign in my hometown that says 'Welcome to warm and cheerful Centerville,' and it’s so true—it was a fantastic place to grow up. When I said I wanted be a performer, everyone in the community responded, 'How can we help?'"

"I grew up saying I want to be on Broadway before I really knew what Broadway was. I came to New York for the first time when I was 16 and saw The Wedding Singer and Wicked and just loved it. I always knew I would move here."

"I had never seen Les Miz onstage until my first week of rehearsal. Obviously I had sung the greatest hits in my bedroom, but when I saw the audience’s reaction to ‘One Day More,’ tears were streaming down my face. It’s such a special show."

"There are challenges in playing Cosette because so much of her growth happens offstage, but it’s thrilling to enter a show as a character that has so much in front of her. She’s feeling love for the first time and is at a huge awakening point."

"I love working with Alfie Boe. In rehearsal, I had this dumbfounded look of awe on my face listening to him sing. I had to remind myself, ‘Sing back, Alex!’ He is so kind and lovely and puts everyone at ease."

"It’s important to stay grounded and find things that make you happy as you’re trying to get that big break. I’m very fortunate to have a wonderful family and friends who’ve supported me every step of the way."