Spring Awakening star Lea Michele has revealed that she will play Eponine in the Hollywood Bowl's Les Miserables in Concert series on August 8, 9 and 10. Michele made the announcement during her solo concert at Feinstein's at the Regency on February 25. She plans to depart Spring Awakening on May 18, which will also be the final performance for Tony nominee Jonathan Groff. Groff will headline the Public Theater's production of Hair in Central Park this summer.
Michele, who began her career as Young Cosette in the original Broadway production of Les Miserables, had signed on to play Eponine in the 2006 Broadway revival of the show, but was released from that commitment when Spring Awakening transferred to Broadway from the Atlantic Theatre Company. As Michele told Broadway.com in a recent Q&A interview, "Les Miz is so close to my heart; I sing 'On My Own' any chance I get." The actress performed Eponine's signature number as her encore at Feinstein's.
The 21-year-old actress attracted a full house at her nightclub debut on February 25, including Frankie Valli, who applauded as Michele's boyfriend, Landon Beard an occasional backup singer for Valli, joined her in a duet of "Somewhere" from West Side Story. Backed by four musicians, Michele performed many of her favorite musical theater songs during the show, including "The Wizard and I" from Wicked, "I Don't Know How to Love Him" from Jesus Christ Superstar, "Once Upon a Dream" and "Someone Like You" from Jekyll & Hyde and a solo version of "Touch Me" from Spring Awakening. She dedicated "Not While I'm Around" from Sweeney Todd to Groff. Michele will return to Feinstein's for another concert on April 7.
