Lea Salonga, Rachelle Ann Go lead 'Les Miserables' concert company

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December 6, 2025 | 10:43am

MANILA, Philippines — Filipino theater stars Lea Salonga and Rachelle Ann Go highlight the company of the upcoming "Les Misérables: World Tour Spectacular" arriving in the Philippines early next year.

The production is an expansion of the "Les Misérables: The Staged Concert," based on the popular musical by Claude-Michel Schönberg and Alain Boublil. The musical itself is an adaptation of Victor Hugo's 1862 novel of the same.

The book and musical follow the life of convict Jean Valjean and police inspector Javert who chases him set during France's revolutionary period in the 19th century.

The original West End and Broadway runs of "Les Misérables" were well-received, particularly the latter, as it won eight of its 12 Tony nominations, including Best Musical and Best Book of a Musical for Boublil and Schönberg.

After "Les Misérables" marked its 40th anniversary this year in London, the "World Tour Spectacular" expands the over 200 record-breaking performances that "The Staged Concert" achieved on the West End.

Lea, who has played Éponine and Fantine on Broadway and in London, will take on the role of Madame Thénardier.

Rachelle will reprise Fantine, having performed the character on the West End, a UK and Ireland tour, and right here in the Philippines back in 2016 at the Theater at Solaire.

Coincidentally, "Les Misérables: World Tour Spectacular" will run at the same venue this January. Rachelle's last musical theater performance in Manila was also at the Theater at Solaire when "Hamilton" held an international run.

West End stars Gerónimo Rauch and Jeremy Secom will reprise their roles as Valjean and Javert, respectively. Both actors have performed "Phantom of the Opera" on the West End, and Jeremy starred with Lea in "Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends" on both the West End and Broadway.

Filipino actors Red Concepción and Emily Bautista, meanwhile, will reprise their roles of Thénardier and Eponine. Red played Thénardier at The Muny, St. Louis Municipal Opera Theatre while Emily played Éponine in the North American Tour of "Les Misérables."

Also playing major characters are Will Callan as Marius, Lulu-Mae Pears as Cosette, Harry Chandler as Enjolras and Earl Carpenter as the Bishop of Digne.

Completing the cast are Jonathon Bentley, Georgina Blessitt, Amelia Broadway, Michael Burgen, Mary Jean Caldwell, Rosy Church, Gabrielle Cummins, Beth Curnock, Shaun Dalton, Jade Davies, Jonathan David Dudley, Harry Dunnett, Louis Emmanuel, Charlie Geoghegan, Connor Jones, Abel Law, Adam Robert Lewis, Andrew Maxwell, Jill Nalder, Lisa Peace, Emma Ralston, Ciaran Rodger, James Sillman, Harry Grant Smith, Jo Stephenson, Geddy Stringer, Helen Walsh and Owain Williams.

Among the musicians performing Claude-Michel Schönberg's music live are Filipinos: John Gerald Calma, Dino Decena, Mary Anne Espina, Fransisco Llorin, Mhaze Lim, Jonathan Livioco, Dondon Lucena, Luke Manuel, Kier Manimtim, Marloe Maruyama, Gabriel Mendoza, Paul Ramos, Coi Reyes, Steve Retallick, Raymond Sarreal, Jordan San Jose, and Miko Villena.

"We're incredibly honored to bring 'Les Misérables: World Tour Spectaculart' to Manila, and we're equally delighted to see Filipino talent represented both on stage and among the musicians," said Carlos Candal, chief of GMG Productions which is staging the show, in a statement.

He added that the production is "a celebration of world-class artistry" and is thrilled for Filipino audiences to experience it.

"Les Misérables: World Tour Spectacular" will run at the Theatre at Solaire from January 20 to March 1, 2026 following a final extension.

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