Intro | Why? | Disclaimer | Technical Info | Thanks and Credits | Note

Intro

Welcome to version 2.0 of Les Misérables- the unofficial Broadway production website which is now at its very own domain, www.broadwaylesmis.com! Les Mis has had a profound impact on my life in many ways (some of them tangential) and it is my hope that this site can be a way of giving something back. I fully intend to maintain this site even after the Broadway production closes, though obviously, certain sections may need to be changed/ removed.

Why?

The short answer is that it was a more thrilling alternative than solitaire. ;) (yes, I know I am paraphrasing from the wrong musical) Well, there was also the fact that I'd already gotten so bored of solitaire that I'd even programmed my own version in Visual Basic and grown tired with that as well. At any rate, I'm always up for a challenge and I thought it would be cool to apply some things I've learned about VB, SQL and MS Access to create a searchable database. The Les Mis Broadway cast, past and present, would certainly provide more than enough data to make things interesting. I had been kicking around the idea of doing something like this for awhile, and the combination of my enhanced database skills plus boredom put it all into motion.

After getting the programming for the cast/alumni database out of the way, I decided I ought to have a little more to the site- though I figure the database will be the cornerstone. I mean, I don't think there are any really comprehensive sites for the Broadway Les Mis production, though there are some great ones for the US tour and London productions. Since I enjoy working on sites, it's never a problem if I think of something to add (and as one might expect, I kept thinking of more and more things as I worked on this)- I am sure this site will grow further.

Obviously, Les Mis is special to me or I wouldn't have put forth this effort. Moreover, I greatly respect the work done by various Les Mis casts since I first saw the show on Broadway in August 1988. (though I am not one to make myself known to them; i.e. if you happen by chance to be a cast member reading this, you probably would not recognize me) But first and foremost, I have enjoyed and been challenged by the process of putting this whole thing together. I simply hope that my efforts will be rewarded by this site finding its niche in the world of theatre-related websites- I'll be very happy if I know that it is be of some interest to someone out there.

Disclaimer

This site is in no way affiliated with Les Misérables, Cameron Mackintosh, or anyone at all connected with the show. It follows that any opinions expressed on the site- especially on the message board- do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Cameron Mackintosh et al. The webmaster has done her best to provide reliable information but in no way guarantees its accuracy or its completeness. (in fact, she is well aware that it is NOT complete and some aspects- such as the lists of credits for various actors- will never be complete and are not desired to be complete anyway) Please email Faith, grantaire@LOAFOFBREADbroadwaylesmis.com, with any corrections, additions, complaints, compliments etc. (remove the "LOAFOFBREAD" to Email)

Technical Info

For optimal viewing of the site, you should have a browser capable of css- any recent version of Netscape or IE will do. Clue: if you seeing pages that have a background color other than a dark blue, then your browser probably is not capable of css. JavaScript will also enhance your experience visiting this site. Also, the site is optimally viewed at a resolution of 800 x 600 or greater.

All programming on the site was done completely by the webmaster- this includes ASP, VB Script, SQL, JavaScript etc and it includes as a full-fledged area in which she- or a guest- can administer the site from any computer hooked up to the 'Net. (i.e. even if I am on vacation, I- or someone else- will still be monitoring the board etc. to ensure that things are running smoothly) The webmaster also designed the cast database (which holds the bulk of the information contained on this site) in MS Access 2000 and developed an original program using Visual Basic to initially enter data. All text on the site, unless otherwise credited, is property of the webmaster and cannot be duplicated without permission. The visual design of the site, including any custom graphics, is also exclusively the product of the webmaster. Images related to Les Mis are of course not the property of the webmaster, but she hopes The Powers That Be realize they are being given free publicity from their usage.

The information presented on this site was not gathered by any scientific method- I simply utilized old playbills as well as any other source I could find. And yes, I looked through every one of my old playbills (which take up most of a linen closet- seriously) to generate a list of actor credits that will be interesting enough to use as a starting point for opening the site. I am relying on the accuracy of submissions of strangers and acquaintances for any additions after the site opens- and I hope I've made it as unintimidating as possible to help out that way! In any event, there will surely be errors and omissions. If there is no headshot displayed for an actor, that means I simply could not find one in any resource I had at my disposal- I thought I did pretty well to get as many as I did. I apologize in advance for any omissions or errors- please know they were not intentional and I would be more than happy to correct them if you contact me!

Just one final note- for the purposes of this site, I am not counting the 3rd National touring company's stint on Broadway in early 1997, while the 10th anniversary company was rehearsing. This site is for the Broadway production and I consider the tour to be a completely separate company, albeit one that occupied the Broadway company's home for a few weeks. I mean, they were still considered the tour company- they were just in another venue. Anyone is more than welcome to create their own, similar site for past tour casts and they should be included there. Also, I did not count 1 week fill-ins by understudies (though I did count when a former cast member came back for a brief time, if it was known).

Thanks and credits

Big Ass Thanks go to Heather for her help and opinions as well as for listening to me ramble about each new and thrilling-to-me thing going on with the site. ;) Big thanks to Chiara, Gina and mom for their input before the site officially opened. Thanks to everyone who has added information since the site was opened. Names are too numerous to mention, but they are all greatly appreciated. Thanks also to Sharon Taylor for her work from 1992-2000 in publishing The Barricade, which was a helpful resource for the cast database. And obviously, thanks to the casts of Les Mis for their work over the years- and hopefully for tolerating the existance of this site. Thanks to the webmasters of all sites I've listed, especially those whose sites proved to be valuable resources. A special note of appreciation to California Musical Theatre in Sacramento for having a site such a nifty database, which proved useful in adding actor credits. Thanks to my class for providing me with enough down time that I had to think of some kind of constructive project so that I would not be so bored that I wanted to jump off a bridge. ;) (is anyone actually reading this far?)

Note

I encourage people to add information, headshots etc to the site. I've provided ways to do so anonymously- however, I strongly urge you to supply an email address in case I have questions. I will not use it for any other purpose, nor will I give out that information to anyone else. If I do not have a way to contact you and I have questions about your submission, it will not be included on the site. I also ask for a name so I can thank you on the site- but if you'd prefer not to have your name listed, then just let me know! All submissions must be OKed by me before the information is live on the site- this is mainly so I can ensure that everything is in the proper format, and that it is not glaringly inaccurate or inappropriate. (in other words, no one can spam the site with stupid stuff- well, they can, but no one but me will see it so it's rather pointless- and I will take down all submission forms if they get abused too frequently. I'm hoping that anyone who may actually go there will be courteous and polite, and that things can therefore stay relaxed. But I mean business so don't test me...) Please feel free to contact me any time at grantaire@LOAFOFBREADbroadwaylesmis.com (Remove the "LOAFOFBREAD" to Email).