[ENTERTAINMENT]'Les Mis' to sing 'Happy Birthday' salute to Hugo

The local musical scene has not come to a halt quite yet. Just when you thought the Phantom's exit, this coming Sunday, would end singing on the stage in Seoul, "Les Miserables" -- known to Koreans as "Jean Valjean" -- is coming to town.

The musical "Les Miserables" is based on Victor Hugo's novel, and like "Phantom of the Opera," it is one of the most recognizable shows on the world's stage. The musical is back in Seoul for the second time since 1996.

This time around, the Broadway cast of "Les Miserables" will perform 200 years after the birth of Victor Hugo, the French writer who created the story as well as the author of "The Hunchback of Notre-Dame."

In 19th century France, Jean Valjean is sentenced to jail for 19 years for stealing a piece of bread. After his release, he runs for mayor under a new name. Police inspector Javert is obsessed with capturing him, but ironically Jean Valjean saves his life. The story is told during the French Revolution, when the country was fighting for equality.

The cast includes Randal Keith as Valjean, Joseph Mahowlad as Javert and Ma-Anne Dionidio as Eponine.

The music of "Les Miserables" was composed by the renowned Claude Michel Schonberg and the lyrics were written by Alan Boublil.

As a musical, "Les Miserables" has been performed more than 34,000 times in more than 20 languages, and has played for more than 50 million people.

There will be one performance on weeknights from July 12 to Aug. 4 at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts, and two performances each day on Saturdays and Sundays.

There are no performances on July 18, 24, and 31.

Tickets can be reserved by caling Sejong Center at 02-399-1111.

by Jenny Yoon