Mount Carroll, IL (June 1st, 2026) – Timber Lake Playhouse, Illinois’ premier professional summer theatre, announces the highly anticipated cast of Les Misérables. Performances begin June 12th through June 28th, 2026.
Les Misérables is the world’s longest-running musical, a true modern classic based on Victor Hugo’s timeless novel and featuring one of the most unforgettable scores ever written. Winner of multiple Tony Awards and Olivier Awards, this sweeping epic has moved audiences for nearly four decades.
This is one of the first licensed productions of Les Misérables in over a decade. We are proud to announce that this is also the only licensed production of Les Misérables in the state of Illinois happening this year.
Directed by TLP’s Artistic Director Tommy Ranieri, in his third year, he states, “Les Misérables is the definitive musical of the 20th century and is the piece that made so many of us fall in love with theatre.” he shares. “If there has ever been a show at TLP I’ve implored our community to see, it will be this epic musical, accompanied by a 14 piece orchestra of local musicians. What a way to celebrate our 65th anniversary season!” Ranieri was a recent guest on Gary in the Morning and talked about the production.
In nineteenth-century France, ex-prisoner Jean Valjean breaks parole to begin a new life of grace, pursued relentlessly by the morally rigid Inspector Javert. The production stars Broadway’s John Michael Finley* as Jean Valjean who famously played the role on Broadway in its last revival. As revolution brews in the streets of Paris, their stories collide with those of young idealists, desperate lovers, and the downtrodden poor fighting for freedom and redemption. From “I Dreamed a Dream” and “One Day More”, Les Misérables is a monumental celebration of the human spirit that continues to inspire audiences around the world.
Along side Finely stars, Danny Rothman* stepping into the boots of Javert for the 4th time after being featured on Broadway in the 2024 revival of Sweeney Todd. Returning to the TLP stage as Fantine, is fan favorite Channing Weir* from Saturday Night Fever and seen on the national Tour of Pretty Woman. James Schultz best known for playing The Grinch on the National Tour of Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas The Musical and Faye Beane who just starred in Disney’s Newsies at The Argyle Theatre, directed by Ranieri, are the infamous innkeepers Thenardier and Madame Thenardier, local actor from Mt. Morris, John Chase will also return to TLP this season as the Bishop. Welcoming Benjamin Stasiek from the National Tour of The Sound of Music, with family background in Mount Carroll as Gavroche, Makalah Knutti as Little Cosette, and Taylor Jakobs as Little Eponine who both return after last summer’s production of Disney’s Frozen.
Making their debuts at Timber Lake Playhouse as the 2026 Resident Company; Joey Baciocco as Marius, Jazmin Rhodes as Eponine, Allie DeMatteo as Cosette, Kaden Hawkins as Enjolras, Greyson Taylor as Combeferre/Ensemble, Isaiah Baston as Grantaire/Ensemble, Carter Minor as Courfeyac/Ensemble, Jose-Emilio Escoto as Lesgles/Ensemble, Connor Ziedman as Prouvaire/Ensemble, with Nat Wiley, Carly Garcia Walton, Elana Simard, Favor Buchi, and Danielle Serrano-Bremer featured in our ensemble.
TLP also welcomes Justin Autz as Feuilly and Edwin J. Perez II as Joly in their TLP debuts. Standing by are local talent Kynnedi Smith and Sam Stasiek.
Tickets are available at the Timber Lake Playhouse Box Office, open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and through intermission on performance days, by calling (815) 244-2035, or online at www.timberlakeplayhouse.org.
Les Misérables is presented by special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI) and CAMERON MACKINTOSH LTD. www.mtishows.com This show is sponsored by Sterling Federal Bank. Sterling Federal Bank was built on a simple idea: local people and their businesses are best served by a local bank, with local interests at heart. We thank Sterling Federal Bank for sponsoring Les Misérables at Timber Lake Playhouse!
Contact: Box Office (815) 244-2035 www.timberlakeplayhouse.org
