Olney, MD — September 29, 2026 — Olney Theatre Center, Maryland’s largest regional theatre, produces Boublil and Schönberg’s Les Misérables in the Roberts Mainstage (October 30, 2026 – January 31, 2027) in celebration of the musical’s 40th anniversary. This continues Olney Theatre’s tradition of providing popular musicals with multi-generational appeal to local audiences and visitors over the holiday season. This year, Tony Award-nominated director Stephen Brackett returns to direct the production, having last directed Cinco Paul’s critically acclaimed A.D. 16 at Olney in 2022. Trent Saunders, who garnered critical acclaim for his performance in the Broadway company of Dead Outlaw, stars as Jean Valjean, opposite Kevin S. McAllister, a veteran of multiple Broadway and Olney musicals, who recently directed Ford’s Theater’s heralded production of Come From Away. Christopher Youstra, Olney’s Associate Artistic Director of Music Theatre, again serves as Music Director, and William Carlos Angulo is the choreographer.
Tickets are available to the public from $57 – $118 and can be purchased at olneytheatre.org/lesmiz or by calling the box office at 301-924-3400.
Says Olney Theatre’s Artistic Director Jason Loewith, “It’s not often that Les Misérables becomes available for regional theatres to produce, so I leapt at the opportunity when it arose. Like any great classic, Les Miz feels up-to-the-minute relevant, with vital truths to tell about the struggle for freedom, the lengths we’ll go to for those we love, and the power of mercy and humility when combined with passion. And this production finally gives our region’s best actors their shot at iconic roles: our own Kevin S. McAllister, who tackles one of his bucket-list roles in Javert; Alex De Bard returning for her third holiday musical (Frozen and Hello, Dolly!) as Eponine, and who isn’t excited to see Tracy Lynn Olivera tear it up as Mme. Thenardier?”
The cast also features Stephanie Waters as Fantine. Ms. Waters is returning after almost a decade away from the stage; before raising her three children, she starred as Cosette on Broadway and in the National Tour of Les Misérables. Quynh-My Luu (Beauty and the Beast) steps into the role of Cosette for the Olney production, and Ben Clark stars as the love-struck Marius. Jordan Friend joins Olivera as M. Thenardier, while Tyler Dobies (Frozen) leads the Paris uprising as Enjolras, along with Dylan Arredondo (Fiddler on the Roof) as Grantaire, Matt Acquard as Combeferre, Jonah Gavi Schwartz (Little Miss Perfect) as Joly, Matthew Thomas Provencal as Feuilly, and DeCarlo J. Raspberry (A Gentleman’s Guide) as Courfeyrac. Levi Gerstenblith and Grayson Lewis share duties as Gavroche/Young Eponine; while Sage McClure and Zoey Ottaviano alternate performances as Little Cosette. The ensemble includes Azaria Oglesby, Brigid Wallace Harper (Appropriate), O’Malley Steuerman, Ariel Friendly, and Odette Gutierrez del Arroryo. Alexandra Lopez and Walker Vlahos swing the production. The production stage manager is Karen Currie, along with Assistant Stage Managers Rebecca Talisman and recent Olney Theatre apprentice Sydney Enthoven.
Brackett, Youstra, and Angulo are joined on the creative team by the Tony-nominated set designer Arnulfo Maldonado (Buena Vista Social Club), lighting designer Abby Hoke-Brady (Little Miss Perfect), costume designer Sarah Cubbage (A Gentleman’s Guide), longtime Olney Theatre sound designer Matthew Rowe, wig designer LaShawn Melton, and Fight and Intimacy Consultant Casey Kaleba. Also working on the production are Ricardo Blagrove (Assistant Director), Joe Burt (Assistant Scenic Designer), Cody Von Ruden (Assistant Costume Designer), and Sage Green (Assistant Lighting Designer).
MedStar is the Opening Night Partner and the Trusted Medical Team of Olney Theatre. Roberts Oxygen is the 2026-27 Season Sponsor.