Davis, Harada, Von Essen and Bruno to Join Les Miserables

Four new principals have been announced for the Broadway company of Les Miserables and will join the show on April 24 at the Broadhurst Theatre. Assuming the role of Javert replacing Norm Lewis, who is headed for The Little Mermaid is Ben Davis. Taking over the role of Madame Thenardier replacing Jenny Galloway is Ann Harada. Stepping into the role of Eponine replacing Celia Keenan-Bolger is Mandy Bruno, and assuming the role of Enjolras replacing Aaron Lazar is Max von Essen.

Continuing in the cast are Tony winner Lea Salonga Fantine, Alexander Gemignani Valjean, Tony winner Gary Beach Thenardier, Ali Ewoldt Cosette, and Adam Jacobs Marius. The new production of Les Miserables opened November 9 as a six-month limited engagement. Due to popular demand, the show recently extended its run through at least Labor Day. The original Broadway production opened on March 12, 1987, at the Broadway Theatre, winning eight Tony Awards including Best Musical. It went on to play a total of 6,680 performances and now ranks as the third longest running musical in Broadway history.

Davis' Broadway credits include Baz Luhrmann's La Bohéme Marcello, Thoroughly Modern Millie Trevor Graydon and Les Misérables Enjolras, a show he also toured with for four years. Regional credits include La Bohéme, 110 in the Shade, Mame and Bernstein's Mass at the Hollywood Bowl. He recently appeared as Papageno in Kenneth Branagh's film version of Mozart's opera The Magic Flute.

Harada originated the role of Christmas Eve in the Broadway and West End productions of Avenue Q and won the Broadway.com Audience Award for Featured Actress in a Musical. Other Broadway credits include Seussical and M. Butterfly, as well as Broadway concerts of Chess and Hair. Off-Broadway credits include Fasettoland, The Moment When and 1,2,3,4,5. Regional credits include Working, Golden Child, Scapin and Das Barbecü.

Von Essen last appeared on Broadway as Jean Prouvaire in Les Misérables. Other Broadway credits include Dance of the Vampires and Jesus Christ Superstar. Tours include Chicago, West Side Story and Liza Minnelli in Concert. Off-Broadway credits include Desperate Measures, Finian's Rainbow, John and Paul and The Fantasticks. Regional credits include West Side Story, Mame, Pirates of Penzance, The Baker's Wife, Cabaret and Jesus Christ Superstar.

Bruno received a 2006 Daytime Emmy Award nomination for playing Marina Cooper on Guiding Light. Theater credits include NYMF's The Man Who Would Be King opposite Guiding Light co-star Paul Anthony Stewart, Vanity Fair, Kindertransport; Anne of Green Gables, Little Shop of Horrors and I Ought to be in Pictures.