Set against the backdrop of 19th-century France, Les Misérables is an epic story of redemption, justice, sacrifice and the enduring power of hope.

The production requires exceptional storytellers, strong vocalists and a committed ensemble capable of creating an entire world—from factories and streets to barricades and battlefields.

Performance dates: February (to possible March) 2026

Rehearsals begin: Fall 2026

The ages below refer to the ages the characters appear onstage. Performers do not need to be the exact age listed to be considered.

Les Misérables is almost entirely sung and requires exceptional musical preparation, storytelling and ensemble discipline. While there is limited formal dance, the production is physically demanding and requires performers who can move confidently, create distinct characters and sustain the intensity of the score.

Many performers will portray several characters over the course of the production. Double casting may be used to create the ensemble. 

Character age: Approximately 35–60 over the course of the story
Character: Male
Voice: High lyric baritone/tenor
Vocal range: G♯2–B4
Movement: Must move confidently; physically demanding role

A former prisoner who breaks parole and rebuilds his life under a new identity. Valjean becomes a respected businessman and mayor before devoting his life to protecting Fantine’s daughter, Cosette. Valjean is a man of enormous strength, dignity, compassion and moral complexity. His journey from bitterness to grace is the emotional centre of the production. This is an exceptionally demanding role requiring a powerful actor and accomplished singer with strong low notes, secure high notes, controlled falsetto and outstanding lyrical clarity.

Character age: Approximately 35–55
Character: Male
Voice: Baritone/bass-baritone
Vocal range: F2–F♯4
Movement: Must move confidently

A police inspector who relentlessly pursues Valjean. Javert believes absolutely in law, order and punishment and cannot accept a world in which mercy might exist outside the law. This role requires a commanding actor with natural authority, emotional control and a rich, powerful baritone voice. Javert must be imposing without becoming one-dimensional; his certainty gradually gives way to a profound internal crisis.

Character age: 20–30
Character: Female
Voice: Mezzo-soprano/belter
Vocal range: D3–E5
Movement: Must move comfortably

A young working-class woman struggling to support her daughter after being abandoned by the child’s father. After losing her job, Fantine is pushed into poverty, exploitation and illness.

Fantine must be portrayed as strong, loving and determined—not simply as a victim. The role requires emotional fearlessness, mature acting and a powerful contemporary musical-theatre voice.

Character age: 18–25
Character: Female
Voice: Lyric soprano
Vocal range: B♭3–C6
Movement: Must move comfortably

Fantine’s daughter, rescued from the Thénardiers and raised by Valjean. Cosette grows into a compassionate, educated young woman who falls in love with Marius. The role requires a light, youthful and floating soprano sound with limited heavy vibrato. The performer must bring emotional depth and strength to a character who represents hope, love and the possibility of a life beyond suffering.

Character age: 18–25
Character: Male
Voice: High baritone/tenor
Vocal range: B♭2–A♭4
Movement: Must move confidently

A young student revolutionary who falls in love with Cosette. Marius is romantic, sensitive and idealistic, but his experiences at the barricade force him to confront devastating loss. This role requires a strong lyrical singer and emotionally open actor capable of portraying youthful love, courage, grief and survivor’s guilt.

Character age: 18–25
Character: Female
Voice: Mezzo-soprano/belter
Vocal range: F3–F5
Movement: Must move confidently

The daughter of Monsieur and Madame Thénardier. Unlike her parents, Éponine has developed a strong moral centre despite growing up in poverty and criminality. She is fiercely independent, emotionally transparent and deeply in love with Marius, even though she knows he will never love her in return. This role requires an exceptional contemporary belt voice, emotional honesty and the ability to balance toughness, vulnerability and humour.

Character age: 20–30
Character: Male
Voice: High baritone/tenor
Vocal range: A2–G♯4
Movement: Must move confidently; physically demanding role

The charismatic leader of the student revolutionaries. Enjolras is passionate, intelligent, courageous and unwavering in his commitment to political change. The performer must possess a commanding stage presence, powerful voice and the ability to lead the student ensemble with conviction. Enjolras should inspire both the other characters and the audience.

Character age: 35–50
Character: Male
Voice: Character baritone
Vocal range: C3–G4
Movement: Strong physical and comedic performer

A corrupt innkeeper who later becomes a petty thief, criminal and opportunist. Thénardier is greedy, vulgar, manipulative and entirely without shame. This is a major character-comedy role requiring exceptional timing, physical confidence, vocal personality and the ability to remain dangerous beneath the humour.

Character age: 30–50
Character: Female
Voice: Character mezzo/belter
Vocal range: G♯3–D5
Movement: Strong physical and comedic performer

Thénardier’s formidable wife and equal partner in crime. She is sharp, coarse, aggressive, practical and unapologetically self-serving. This role requires a fearless comedic actor, strong character singer and bold physical presence. The comedy should grow from the character rather than becoming disconnected from the world of the story.

The ages listed below are character ages. Casting will also consider height, vocal maturity, stage presence and the performer’s ability to remain focused throughout rehearsals and performances.

Character age: Approximately 7–11
Character: Female
Voice: Child soprano/treble
Vocal range: A3–C5
Movement: Must move comfortably

Fantine’s young daughter, left in the care of the Thénardiers. She is neglected, mistreated and forced to work, but retains an inner gentleness and hope. Young Cosette sings “Castle on a Cloud” and requires a clear, controlled voice, strong storytelling instincts and the ability to portray vulnerability without becoming overly theatrical.

Character age: Approximately 7–11
Character: Female
Voice: Non-singing role

The pampered young daughter of the Thénardiers. She is treated very differently from Young Cosette and participates in her mistreatment. This is a small but important acting role. Depending on final casting, performers playing Young Cosette and Young Éponine may alternate or cover both roles.

Character age: Approximately 8–12
Character: Male
Voice: Treble/unchanged voice
Vocal range: B3–G5
Movement: Must move confidently; physically active role

A clever, fearless and streetwise child who survives by his wits in the streets of Paris. Gavroche is funny, bold and self-assured, but also courageous and deeply loyal to the revolutionaries. The performer must have a confident unchanged voice, strong acting instincts, excellent stage presence and the ability to deliver humour without losing the character’s bravery and emotional importance.

Character age: Mature adult
Character: Male
Voice: Baritone
Vocal range: A2–E4

A compassionate bishop whose act of mercy transforms Valjean’s life. Although the stage time is limited, the Bishop establishes the spiritual and moral foundation of the entire story. This role requires warmth, dignity, a rich lower register and strong dramatic presence. The performer will likely appear in additional ensemble roles.

Character age: Adult
Character: Male
Voice: Baritone
Vocal range: D3–D4

The overbearing supervisor of the factory where Fantine works. He abuses his authority and dismisses Fantine after conflict erupts among the workers. The performer will also appear in the ensemble.

Character age: Adult
Character: Male
Voice: Baritone/tenor
Vocal range: D3–F4

A wealthy and dangerous man who harasses Fantine and then demands that she be arrested when she defends herself. This role requires an actor capable of creating an immediate sense of entitlement and menace. The performer will also appear in the ensemble.

Character age: Adult
Character: Male
Voice: Featured ensemble
Vocal range: B3–E♭4

A man trapped beneath a heavy cart and rescued by Valjean. This brief role demonstrates Valjean’s extraordinary physical strength and places his hidden identity at risk. The performer will appear in additional ensemble roles.

Character age: Adult
Character: Male
Voice: Featured singer
Vocal range: C4–G4

The officer who confronts the students at the barricade. This performer will also appear in other ensemble roles.

The Friends of the ABC are students and workers committed to political change. Each requires a distinct personality, strong ensemble singing and the ability to work as a believable group.

Most student roles fall within an approximate vocal range of D3–G4. Individual tracks may vary.

Character age: 18–30
Voice: Baritone/tenor

The philosopher of the group. Combeferre is thoughtful, humane, peaceful and brave.

Character age: 18–30
Voice: Baritone/tenor

A passionate, youthful and fearless student. Courfeyrac is energetic, sociable and deeply committed to the cause.

Character age: 18–30
Voice: Baritone/tenor

A self-educated worker and orphan. Feuilly is warm, affectionate and passionate about freedom and national identity.

Character age: 18–35
Voice: Baritone/tenor

A cynical, witty and frequently intoxicated student who claims to have little faith in the revolution but holds deep admiration for Enjolras. This role requires strong character acting and the ability to reveal the loyalty and vulnerability beneath Grantaire’s sarcasm.

Character age: 18–30
Voice: Baritone/tenor

An eccentric and lighthearted medical student with a tendency toward morbid observations.

Character age: 18–30
Voice: Baritone/tenor

A gentle, poetic and thoughtful student who reveals great courage when required.

Character age: 18–30
Voice: Baritone/tenor

A cheerful and good-humoured student who remains optimistic despite his famously bad luck.

Additional students, workers and revolutionaries will be cast from the ensemble.

The members of Thénardier’s criminal gang should be individually recognizable, dangerous and capable of strong physical character work. These performers will also portray additional ensemble roles.

Character age: Adult
Character: Male
Vocal range: C♯3–C♯4

Handsome, calculating and dangerous. Montparnasse is the most polished member of the gang and carries a knife.

Character age: Adult
Character: Male
Vocal range: E3–E4

A streetwise and experienced member of the gang.

Character age: Adult
Character: Male
Vocal range: B3–C♯4

A brutal and impulsive criminal. Brujon relies more on force than intelligence.

Character age: Adult
Character: Male
Vocal range: C4–E4

A secretive, menacing and dangerous member of the gang.

The ensemble includes numerous featured singing and acting opportunities, including:

• Convicts and members of the chain gang
• Prison guards and warders
• The farmer and labourer
• Constables
• Factory workers and factory girls
• The old woman
• Sailors
• The pimp
• The working women at the docks
• The innkeeper and inn patrons
• Beggars and street characters
• Judges and courtroom figures
• Students and revolutionaries
• Soldiers and officers
• Wedding guests
• Mourners
• Citizens of Paris

Many of these tracks contain solo lines, featured moments and substantial character work. The ensemble is the foundation of Les Misérables. It creates the prisons, factories, streets, docks, inn, barricades, wedding and revolutionary world of the production.

There is no traditional dance chorus, but performers must be physically expressive and prepared for demanding staging, including crowd movement, conflict, barricade sequences and rapid character changes. Every ensemble performer is a vital part of the storytelling and will probably be a character role listed above as well.