‘Les Misérables’ is a testament to the survival of the human spirit
Actress immerses herself in ‘cathartic’ story of ‘Les Misérabl
Victor Hugo’s “Les Misérables” is a timeless testament to the survival of the human spirit.
For more than 30 years, the musical has transported audiences to 19th century France.
It’s a story that Mary Kate Moore enjoys jumping into night after night.
Even if it strips her of emotional energy.
“I’ve been a fan since I was beginning in musical theater,” she says in an interview from Dallas. “It’s one of the most wellknown musicals.”
The action begins in 1815 as Jean Valjean, a man sentenced to 19 years of hard labor for stealing a loaf of bread to feed his family, finds only hatred and suspicion when he is released on parole.
Meeting one man who believes in him, Valjean breaks his parole to begin a new life.
The story begins as Valjean crosses the landscape of early 19th century France, always pursued by the righteous police inspector Javert.
From his adoption and love of the orphan Cosette, to the darkly funny plots of the thieving Thénardiers, from the soaring revolutionary fire of the student rebels who fight on the barricade in the streets of Paris to the final confrontation between Jean Valjean and Javert.
Moore portrays Fantine, who is on her own journey.
Fantine is an impoverished factory worker who loses her job and turns to prostitution to continue paying the Thénardiers to care for her illegitimate daughter, Cosette.
Fantine dies of consumption and appears as a spirit and escorts the dying Valjean to heaven.
Moore had always wanted to portray Fantine.
“What I’ve enjoyed most about this role is finding how relatable she can be, especially in our social and political climate,” Moore says. “Not many people have had to live their entire life in 19 century France selling their hair and being forced into a life of prostitution. A role like this can feel unattainable for many female actresses. Fantine is the catalyst for a lot of the show. I feel very honored to be in this role.”
The English-language version of “Les Misérables” originally opened in London at the Barbican Theatre on October 8, 1985, transferred to the Palace Theatre on December 4, 1985, and moved to its current home at the Queen’s Theatre on April 3, 2004.
The original Broadway production opened at the Broadway Theatre on March 12, 1987, and transferred to the Imperial Theatre on October 17, 1990, running for 6,680 performances.
It has been translated into 21 languages from the original French and been performed in front of more than 70 million people in 45 countries and is the longest-running musical in the world.
The Academy Award-winning film adaptation, starring Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe and Anne Hathaway, was released in December 2012.
It includes the classic songs “I Dreamed a Dream,” “On My Own,” “Stars,” “Bring Him Home,” “Do You Hear the People Sing?,” “One Day More,” “Empty Chairs at Empty Tables” and “Master Of The House.”
Moore says having a great creative team behind the production is important.
The cast is given artistic freedom in each of the roles.
“Because it’s based off of Victor Hugo’s masterpiece, there’s no sparing of details and we’re never without information,” she says. “The show can be emotionally draining, and there are a lot of stages of emotion. It’s still superrejuvenating to tell this story of triumph of the human spirt. We don’t experience intense emotions like this. I’m able to reach the extremes every night, and I love it. There’s something cathartic about it.”