Olney Theatre Stages Major Les Misérables Production With Broadway Stars and Regional Talent

Olney Theatre Center is mounting a production of Les Misérables featuring a cast of Broadway performers and regional actors, marking the first major regional staging of the musical in a decade. Tony-nominated director Stephen Brackett leads the production, which runs from October through January at the Roberts Mainstage. The ensemble includes Trent Saunders as Valjean and Kevin S. McAllister as Javert, alongside returning Broadway performer Stephanie Waters in her first stage role in nearly a decade.

Olney Theatre's production arrives at a significant moment for the beloved musical, coinciding with Les Misérables' 40th anniversary. The show marks a noteworthy gap in regional theater programming—the last major staging of this scale occurred a decade ago, suggesting the licensing limitations that typically restrict availability of this mega-musical. The creative leadership brings considerable Broadway pedigree, with Tony-nominated director Stephen Brackett and set designer Arnulfo Maldonado anchoring a production that extends through the holiday season, a traditional draw for family audiences seeking multigenerational entertainment.

The casting strategy deliberately bridges Broadway talent with established regional performers, creating what the artistic director characterizes as an opportunity for local actors to claim roles typically reserved for touring companies. Waters' return after nearly a decade of raising children represents a notable comeback narrative, while ensemble members draw from recent productions at regional theaters including Olney itself, suggesting the production functions partly as a showcase for the broader East Coast theater ecosystem.