One of the most epic nights for New York theater fans happened this week at the gala opening of Les Miserables: The Arena Concert Spectacular at Radio City Music Hall.
The beloved musical is celebrating its 40th anniversary with a concert production that has been traveling the world since 2024, with New York City serving as the final stop.
A rotating cast of actors are playing Jean Valjean and Javert during the three-week run at Radio City Music Hall and the roles were played by Killian Donnelly and Bradley Jaden during the gala performance on Tuesday (July 28). Also starring are Samantha Barks as Fantine, Shan Ako as Eponine, Jac Yarrow as Marius, Beatrice Penny-Toure as Cosette, Christian Mark Gibbs as Enjolras, Matt Lucas as Thenardier, and Marina Prior as Madame Thenardier. You can catch the Arena Concert Spectacular at Radio City Music Hall through August 9. Get tickets now!
The concert itself is “spectacular” as it is and is enough to leave audiences thrilled, but the crowd at the gala performance was treated to something incredibly special during the curtain call.
Producer Cameron Mackintosh came on stage after the bows and revealed that the show’s writers Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg were both in the audience, which led to a standing ovation for the iconic duo.
It was then time for all of the surprise performances.
Patti LuPone
“I Dreamed a Dream” / “On My Own”
Patti LuPone brought the crowd to their feet when she walked on stage and began singing “I Dreamed a Dream,” the song she originated while playing Fantine in the original West End production of Les Miserables.
She was then joined on stage by former Eponines and Fantines for a mash-up of “Dream” and “On My Own.”
Patti sang alongside Samantha Barks and Shan Ako, who are both in the Arena Concert Spectacular, as well as Debbie Gibson, Katie Hall and Emily Bautista.
@justjared Patti LuPone surprises the crowd at “Les Miserables: The Arena Concert Spectacular” at Radio City Music Hall for an encore performance of “I Dreamed a Dream” and “On My Own” alongside Samantha Barks, Shan Ako, Debbie Gibson, Katie Hall, and Emily Bautista. An incredible moment during the opening night curtain call! There are two more weeks of performances remaining in the run. #PattiLuPone #LesMiserables #LesMis ? original sound – Just JaredJeremy Secomb, Philip Quast, Bradley Jaden, Jordan Donica
“Stars” with Javert actors
Philip Quast, who originated the role of Javert in the Australian production of Les Miserables and went on to play the role for years, is currently playing the Bishop in the Arena Concert Spectacular.
Philip came on stage to lead an encore performance of Javert’s song “Stars.” He was joined by the concert’s rotating actors Bradley Jaden and Jeremy Secomb, as well as Broadway star Jordan Donica, who played the role at The Muny.
@justjared Philip Quast, one of the most well-known actors to ever play Javert in “Les Miserables,” performs an encore of “Stars” with Arena Spectacular actors Bradley Jaden and Jeremy Secomb, plus special guest Jordan Donica. You can catch this special version of the classic musical at Radio City Music Hall through August 9. #PhilipQuast #BradleyJaden #JeremySecomb #JordanDonica #LesMiserables ? original sound – Just JaredPeter Lockyer, Geronimo Rauch, Alfie Boe, Killian Donnelly, Aaron Tveit
“Bring Him Home” with Aaron Tveit and Valjean actors
Aaron Tveit appeared in the movie version of Les Miserables as Enjorlas, though he hasn’t appeared in a stage version of the musical yet.
Aaron joined the Arena Spectacular‘s three Valjean actors – Geronimo Rauch, Alfie Boe, Killian Donnelly – as well as the recent U.S. tour’s lead Peter Lockyear for an encore performance of “Bring Him Home.”
Killian also was in the movie version, appearing as a student alongside Aaron!
@justjared It’s time for Aaron Tveit to play Jean Valjean! The Tony winner, who played Enjorlas in the movie adaptation, joined four other actors (Killian Donnelly, Geronimo Rauch, Peter Lockyer, and Alfie Boe) for a surprise encore performance of “Bring Him Home” during the opening night curtain call of Radio City Music Hall’s “Les Miserables: The Arena Concert Spectacular.” You have until August 9 to see the concert! #AaronTveit #LesMiserables ? original sound – Just JaredEmily Bautista, Debbie Gibson, Samantha Barks, Patti LuPone, Cameron Mackintosh, Aaron Tveit
“One Day More” finale
All of the special guests and the Arena Concert Spectacular‘s concert united for an encore of “One Day More” to end the night.
Also joining in on this performance were Hugh Panaro kicking the song off with Aaron, recent U.S. tour stars Peter Neureuther and Alexa Lopez returning as Marius and Cosette, plus Helen Walsh and Red Concepcion returning as the Thenardiers.
You can catch the Arena Concert Spectacular at Radio City Music Hall through August 9. Get tickets now!
@justjared Aaron Tveit leads an all-star version of “One Day More” with Patti LuPone and dozens of surprise guests during the curtain call for opening night of “Les Miserables: The Arena Concert Spectacular” at Radio City Music Hall. The show is running now through August 9 with an incredible cast. #AaronTveit #PattiLuPone #LesMiserables ? original sound – Just Jared
There were also plenty of celebs in the audience!
Bernadette Peters Christopher Sieber Debbie Gibson Ginna Claire Mason Ginna Claire Mason with Hallmark executive Samantha DiPippo Pasquarella Aaron Tveit
Check out more photos from the show below!
Aaron Tveit Bradley Jaden Bradley Jaden Bradley Jaden Cameron Mackintosh Cameron Mackintosh and Patti LuPone Christian Mark Gibbs, Aaron Tveit, Harry Chandler Christian Mark Gibbs, Aaron Tveit, Harry Chandler Debbie Gibson, Emily Bautista, Shan Ako Debbie Gibson, Samantha Barks, Patti LuPone, Katie Hall, Shan Ako, Emily Bautista Geronimo Rauch Geronimo Rauch, Killian Donnelly, Aaron Tveit Hugh Panaro, Geronimo Rauch, Aaron Tveit Jac Yarrow, Beatrice Penny-Toure Jeremy Secomb, Philip Quast, Bradley Jaden Killian Donnelly Killian Donnelly and Bradley Jaden Marina Prior and Matt Lucas Peter Lockyer, Geronimo Rauch, Alfie Boe, Killian Donnelly Peter Neureuther, Alexa Lopez Philip Quast Samantha Barks Samantha Barks, Jac Yarrow, Beatrice Penny-Toure, Killian Donnelly, Bradley Jaden, Christian Mark Gibbs, Shan Ako, Matt Lucas, Marina Prior Samantha Barks, Shan Ako
The post Patti LuPone, Aaron Tveit, & More Make Surprise Appearance at ‘Les Mis’ Concert Event for Epic Curtain Call Performances appeared first on Just Jared - Celebrity News and Gossip | Entertainment.