Two Principals Replaced at Les Miserables; Zien to Sub for Beach
Two recent additions to the cast of the Broadway company of Les Miserables departed abruptly this past weekend. According to a production announcement, Megan McGinnis will assume the role of Eponine on June 18, replacing Mandy Bruno, and Robert Hunt will assume the role of Javert on July 6, replacing Ben Davis. Bruno and Davis had joined the production on April 24. Prior to July 6, the role of Javert will be alternated by Drew Sarich and Ben Crawford.
In other Les Miz news, Broadway veteran Chip Zien will take over the role of Thenardier on June 29 while Gary Beach takes a 10-week leave of absence from the show. Zien will appear alongside Ann Harada, who joined the show on April 24 as Madame Thenardier. The cast of Les Miserables also includes Alexander Gemignani Jean Valjean, Tony winner Lea Salonga Fantine, Max von Essen Enjolras, Ali Ewoldt Cosette and Adam Jacobs Marius.
Hunt played Javert in the national tour of Les Miserables. Other theater credits include Jekyll & Hyde, Falsettos, Damn Yankees, the U.S. premiere of Dracula and the off-Broadway productions of Boobs and Have a Nice Day
Zien played the Baker in the original Broadway production of Into the Woods. Other Broadway credits include Falsettos, Grand Hotel, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, The Boys from Syracuse, The Suicide and Ride the Winds. In addition to Falsettos, Zien has also worked with William Finn in New Brain, Falsettoland, March of the Falsettos and In Trousers. He was recently seen in the movie United 93.
The current new production of Les Miz opened at the Broadhurst Theatre on November 9, 2006. The original Broadway production opened on March 12, 1987, at the Broadway Theatre, winning eight Tony Awards, including Best Musical. The show went on to play a total of 6,680 performances.
