While the novel it was based on was written in 1862, it took 118 years for anyone to adapt Les Misérables to be adapted into any sort of production. Since the first musical production of the story took place in 1980, Les Miséserables has been one of the most popular musicals of all time. Since its English revival in 1985, it has been the longest-running musical in the world and the third longest in Broadway history, selling out tickets everywhere the musical goes. 26 years later,Les Misérables is continuing to delight audiences around the world, with 2011 tour dates in the US, London, and Spain. Les Misérables is based upon the Victor Huge novel of the same name, written in 1862. It originally premiered in Paris as a French-language production in 1980. It was adapted by Cameron Mackintosh (producer of Cats) for British audiences and premiered at the Barbian Centre in 1985. Despite condemnation by critics and literary scholars, audiences loved a musical version of Les Misérables and it is the fans and ticket buyers that have made it one of the most successful shows in theatrical history. The story of Les Misérables revolves around fictional and non-fictional events leading up to the Paris Uprising of 1832 (or June Rebellion). The musical follows recently paroled prisoner Jean Valjean, who spent nineteen years in prison for stealing bread for his family. After breaking parole, Jean adopts an alias and becomes a successful factory owner and the mayor of a small town in Northern France. Jean promises a worker, Fantine, on her deathbed to look after her daughter, Cosette, who has been living with an abusive couple, the Thénardiers and their spoiled daughter Éponine. Flash forward to nine years later and Paris is on the verge of erupting over the imminent death of non-fictional General Lamarque, who is the only government official to support the poor. Cosette and a revolutionary student named Marius experience love at first sight, even though Éponine pines for Marius. After the death of General Lamarque, Valjean and Cosette prepare to flee while Marius and the revolutionaries prepare for battle. It looks as though many will die, while few will find the freedom they've searched their entire lives for. It's a timeless story that has sold trillions of tickets as a sung through musical. In the wake of Les Misérables' 25th anniversary performances last year, there will be plenty tour dates in 2011. The West End production has scheduled tour dates until April 2012, so theatre goers have plenty of time to buy tickets. In the US, a national tour is providing major American cities with 2011 tour dates, beginning on May 10 in Madison, Wisconsin. While tour dates will last for over a year, the production won't be in one city for very long, so people should plan on buying their tickets for Les Misérables relatively soon. Don't miss tour dates in 2011 for one of the most beloved musicals and epic stories to ever grace the stage!

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