Lea Salonga photo by Raymond Isaac; 'Les Miserables' photo by Danny Kaan
MANILA — Lea Salonga will return to "Les Misérables" in a new role when the musical's "World Tour Spectacular" opens in Manila on January 20, 2026. The Filipino Broadway star, who previously played both Éponine and Fantine in various productions and anniversary concerts, will take on Madame Thénardier for the tour’s strictly limited run at The Theatre at Solaire.
Producers Cameron Mackintosh, Nick Grace Management and GMG Productions on Friday announced initial casting for the international tour, which features a company of West End and Broadway performers.
Gerónimo Rauch ("Les Misérables," "Jesus Christ Superstar") will star as Jean Valjean, with Jeremy Secomb ("Les Misérables," "The Phantom of the Opera") as Javert.
Joining Salonga in representing Filipino talent are Rachelle Ann Go as Fantine, Red Concepcion as Thénardier and Emily Bautista as Éponine. Additional Filipino performers will appear in the company following local auditions for the role of Little Cosette.
The international cast also includes Will Callan as Marius, Lulu-Mae Pears as Cosette, Harry Chandler as Enjolras and Earl Carpenter as the Bishop of Digne.
Producers said the Manila production will feature a large ensemble of musicians performing Claude-Michel Schönberg’s score live onstage, including Filipino artists John Gerald Calma, Dino Decena, Mary Anne Espina, Fransisco Llorin, Mhaze Lim, Jonathan Livioco, Dondon Lucena, Luke Manuel, Kier Manimtim, Marloe Maruyama, Gabriel Mendoza, Paul Ramos, Coi Reyes, Steve Retallick, Raymond Sarreal, Jordan San Jose and Miko Villena.
“We’re incredibly honored to bring 'Les Misérables: The World Tour Spectacular' to Manila, and we’re equally delighted to see Filipino talent represented both on stage and among the musicians,” GMG Productions CEO Carlos Candal said in a statement.
The "World Tour Spectacular" expands on "Les Misérables: The Staged Concert," which played more than 200 performances in London’s West End. The production features new set and lighting designs and a company and crew of more than 110 artists and technicians. The tour has played 30 cities worldwide, selling over 1 million tickets and breaking box-office records in Australia and Japan. It is currently running a sold-out engagement in Shanghai.
The Manila season runs from January 20 to March 1, 2026. Final tickets are available through TicketWorld.
"Les Misérables: The World Tour Spectacular" is produced by Cameron Mackintosh and Nick Grace Management. The Manila run is presented by GMG Productions, with UnionBank of the Philippines as the official 2025 season bank sponsor.