Les Mis dims its lights on Broadway

Long-running musical Les Miserables bade an emotional “au revoir” to Broadway today after 16 years and over 6,500 performances.

Producer Cameron Mackintosh fought back tears as he joined the cast to take their final bow on the Manhattan stage.

Directors Trevor Nunn and John Caird also received a standing ovation as a flurry of red, white and blue balloons, streamers and confetti brought the show to a spectacular finale.

“It’s been an emotional evening, but one of jubilation not misery” Mackintosh said afterwards.

“We went out while it was still on a high. There’s no sadness about the end. To have a successful Broadway show for 16 years is a miracle.”

The musical of Victor Hugo’s epic novel was the second longest running show in Broadway history after Cats.

It took £260m (€262m) in ticket sales and was seen by more than nine million people.

They included Bill Polen, who today enjoyed his 500th performance of the show.

“I’m very sad to see it go,” said the 40-year old from Norristown, Pennsylvania, who wore a specially made Les Miserables jacket and T-shirt.

“It makes you feel refreshed and good about yourself every time you see it.”

But despite its continued popularity, Les Miserables, like all Broadway productions, suffered from a drop in audiences following the September 11 attacks.

The announcement that it was closing provided a last minute boost in attendances.

One pair of tickets for the final performance sold on an internet auction site for £13,000 (€18,116).

The mystery buyers were treated to a special ending, with children who had appeared in school productions of the show giving mini-reprises of its top numbers before being joined on stage by members of the original Broadway cast.

The English-language version of Les Miserables premiered in London’s Barbican Theatre in October 1985 and is still playing at the Palace Theatre in the West End.

Mr Polen said he is planning a transatlantic trip to see the UK production.

“This show will never die,” he said. “It will be performed for as long as there are musicals. It’s timeless.”