Story By Page Leggett

From Left, Gregory Lee Rodriguez as Marius, Christine Heesun Hwang as Éponine, Nick Cartell as Jean Valjean, Addie Morales as Cosette in Les Misérables. Photo: Matthew Murphy & Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade.

BRING TISSUES

Addie Morales, who plays Cosette in Les Miz, has that one piece of advice

STORY BY

Page Leggett

It’s likely you’ll shed a tear at some point during Les Misérables—no matter how many times you’ve already seen it.

Addie Morales, 25, who plays the grown-up (actually, teenage) Cosette, the illegitimate daughter of Fantine, knows how you feel. “I’m crying pretty much every single night,” said the New York-based singer and actress.

She finds it easy to cry on command—at least in Sir Cameron Mackintosh’s masterpiece about Jean Valjean, a man on a lifelong run from the law for the crime of stealing a single loaf of bread. “You’re listening to what’s happening in that moment—both the beauty and the tragedy of it—and it sweeps you away.”

After Fantine’s death—which may provide the fodder for your first cry— Cosette is taken in by humble and heroic Valjean, who raises her as his own.

Cosette eventually finds romantic love with Marius, played by Gregory Lee Rodriguez. Valjean develops paternal feelings toward Marius and, late in the show, sings one of show’s most poignant solos. Have Kleenex or a bar napkin handy for “Bring Him Home.”

The young lovers don’t have an easy path. Another woman, Éponine, also loves Marius. Her unrequited love gives Éponine’s character an opportunity to sing one of the production’s most gorgeous and enduring songs—“On My Own.” (Another time to have tissues ready.)

Morales, a native of New Orleans who grew up in Dallas/Fort Worth, is on her first national tour. She’s previously appeared in regional theater: West Side Story (Maria), Evita (Eva), The Sound of Music (Maria). When we spoke by phone in late December, she was in Detroit, preparing to spend Christmas on the road.

“It’s been really fun, and I’m with a great group of people who are helping me navigate through it all,” she said.

The tour kicked off in Cleveland on Nov. 23, and the company has been playing to full houses. “It’s selling like crazy,” Morales said.

WHAT’S COOL

Morales is relishing being on stage again. The pandemic prevented her from performing. “My art was on hold until this year,” she said. “It feels like waking up from a dream. I’m so grateful to be here.”

And emerging from hibernation to perform an iconic role and in an iconic musical makes the return even sweeter.

“You are given a role that’s so beloved and precious to people because they know it so well,” she said. “It’s a big honor and a big responsibility. But what’s cool is this role has belonged to so many people, and there are so many different iterations and interpretations, and it’s fun to get to leave my small stamp on it.”

Some accomplished actresses have already left their mark: Amanda Seyfried played Cosette in the 2012 movie, and Claire Danes played her in the 1998 film.

HER FAVORITE VERSION

Morales took her preparations seriously.

“The first thing for me is always music,” she said. “Luckily, I read music. I studied what it’s originally derived from—the book—and all the versions that have been out there.”

Her favorite iteration of Les Misérables is the 25th anniversary concert version. “I kind of grew up on that one, so I have a soft spot for it,” she said.

It was performed and recorded in 2010 in London and featured Lea Salonga (the original lead in Miss Saigon) as Cosette’s mother, Fantine; Nick Jonas as Marius; and Katie Hall as Cosette. (Hall went on to play Fantine in the 2018 tour in the U.K. and Ireland.)

“One Day More” from Les Misérables. Photo: Matthew Murphy & Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade.

Like Les Miz’s legions of fans, Morales has a few favorite songs and scenes. “In My Life” and “A Heart Full of Love” are her favorite songs she performs. Her favorite song in the musical changes each day, she said. But on the day we spoke, it was “I Dreamed a Dream,” Fantine’s tear-jerker of a solo.

Morales’ favorite “Cosette moment” in the show is “the initial meeting of Cosette and Marius, because it starts the whole rumble of things.”

Morales discussed the relationship that’s central to Les Miz—that of protagonist Valjean and antagonist Javert. Javert is one of the great villains in literature, stage and screen because he’s multidimensional. The audience understands the motives behind his obsessive pursuit of Valjean. Javert lives by a strict moral code and believes his hunt is justified. “You feel so much for him because you understand he’s coming from a moral place,” Morales said.

Is there anything else Morales thinks people should know about the show? Her answer was succinct and on point: “Bring tissues.”

“We are there to give you this show,” she continued. “And it’s a gift to have the audience there and your energy given back to us onstage. The vibes we get from the audience are thrilling. We’re just grateful to have an audience and excited to be in the same room together.”