'Les Miserables' on Stage at the California Theatre

One of the world’s most acclaimed musicals of all time, the award-winning “Les Miserables” is being presented for four performances March 14-16 at the historic California Theatre of the Performing Arts. Set against the backdrop of revolutionary 19th century France, the musical tells the timeless tale of sacrifice, redemption, broken dreams and unrequited love. It is based on the classic historical novel of the same name by French poet and novelist Victor Hugo. "'Les Miserables' is a musical that everyone must see. It's simply a theatrical experience of a lifetime, " said Joseph Henson, producer with Theatrical Arts International. "It is, literally, one of theater's biggest and most-loved shows, and Broadway's longest-running musical in history. "Les Miserables," also called "Les Miz" by its many fans, is a sung-through musical, with all dialogue part of the musical score. With original French lyrics by Alain Boublil and Jean-Marc Natel and an English language libretto by Herbert Kretzmer, the musical has been staged throughout the world. After productions in Paris and London, the musical opened on Broadway in March 1987 and ran for 16 years, closing in May 2003. It returned to Broadway in November 2006 and played until January 2008. By then it had played 7,176 performances on Broadway .Other foreign and Broadway revivals opened as well as international tours. "Les Miserables" is the world's longest running musical and has been seen by more than 65 million people in 42 countries, received more than 100 international awards, including nine Tony Awards. It was made into several films. The latest, released in 2012, won three Academy Awards. It starred Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe, Anne Hathaway (who won the Best Supporting Actress Oscar), Amanda Seyfried, Sacha Baron Cohen and Helena Bonham Carter. "Les Miserables" is part Theatrical Arts International's 2013-2014 season at the California Theatre. Also this season is "Zoot Suit Riot," May 16-18. In addition, the theater is bringing the national touring show "American Idiot" for one performances only on May 19. Theatrical Arts International is the Inland Empire's largest theater company. It is known throughout the nation as one of the top producers in Southern California. For more than 15 years, has been known for producing award-winning musicals, stand-up comedy, plays and concerts throughout the Southland. The company has brought some of the most popular and award-winning Broadway musicals and concerts by top headlining acts to a number of area venues, including the California Theatre, Pechanga Resort & Casino in Temecula and the California Center for the Arts in Escondido Performing Arts Center. The company's latest expansion is its 2013-2014 inaugural season at Gardiner W. Spring Auditorium on the campus of Chaffey High School in Ontario. The season there also includes "Les Miserable's," March 22; and The Queen Experience," May 24. "We bring some of the biggest musicals and plays to the Inland Empire and audiences here appreciate the fact that they can see these popular shows without having to travel to Los Angeles," said Theatrical Arts International producer Allen Evenson.