Latest news with #LesMisérables'
Epoch Times
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Epoch Times
Trump, Vance Attending Opening Night of ‘Les Misérables' at Kennedy Center
President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance will attend the opening night of 'Les Misérables' at the Kennedy Center on June 11, the White House confirmed to The Epoch Times on June 4. Fox News first reported the upcoming appearance.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
President Trump, first lady will attend Kennedy Center's ‘Les Misérables'
WASHINGTON (NewsNation) — President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump are set to attend the opening of the musical 'Les Misérables' at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts next week, a White House official told NewsNation. 'I love the songs, I love the play,' Mr. Trump said in an interview with Fox News. 'I think it's great – we may extend it.' 'Les Misérables' — a stage adaptation based on the French novel by Victor Hugo — is scheduled to run at the Kennedy Center from June 11 to July 13. Hugo's tale dives into the 19th-century Parisian underworld, detailing the struggles of the underclass and a journey of hit song from the 1985 musical, 'Do You Hear People Sing,' is often included in Trump's playlist at political rallies and official events. A rendition of the anthem recently played at the 2025 Governors Ball at the White House. But the president's appearance next Wednesday is not without drama. Gin Blossoms to push for patients' rights in pre-Congressional Baseball Game concert After returning to power for a second term, Trump appointed himself chairman of the Kennedy Center and quickly dismantled the institution's board. 'We will soon announce a new Board, with an amazing Chairman, DONALD J. TRUMP!' the president wrote on Truth Social in February, adding, 'The Kennedy Center featured Drag Shows specifically targeting our youth — THIS WILL STOP. The Kennedy Center is an American Jewel, and must reflect the brightest STARS on its stage from all across our Nation. For the Kennedy Center, THE BEST IS YET TO COME!' Ticket sales in March and April at the Kennedy Center plummeted by about $1.6 million — roughly 36% — compared with the same period in 2024, according to The Washington Post. The Kennedy Center contends those direct comparisons are unfair, citing changes to subscriber packages and marketing, and emphasizing some shows have sold out. 'Our renewal campaign is just kicking off and our hard-copy season brochures have not yet hit homes,' Kim Cooper, the Kennedy Center's senior vice president of marketing, said. 'Our patrons wait for our new season brochures and renewal campaigns to take action.' Now, nearly a dozen cast members of 'Les Misérables' are planning to opt out of performing when the Trumps are in the audience. In a statement shared with NewsNation, Richard Grenell, who Trump designated as the president of the Kennedy Center, said: 'The Kennedy Center will no longer fund intolerance. Any performer who isn't professional enough to perform for patrons of all backgrounds, regardless of political affiliation, won't be welcomed.' 'In fact, we think it would be important to out those vapid and intolerant artists to ensure producers know who they shouldn't hire – and that the public knows which shows have political litmus tests to sit in the audience. The Kennedy Center wants to be a place where people of all political stripes sit next to each other and never ask who someone voted for but instead enjoys a performance together,' Grenell concluded. Vice President JD Vance and second lady Usha Vance are also expected to attend the showing. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Hill
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Hill
Trump, Vance to attend ‘Les Misérables' opening at Kennedy Center
President Trump and Melania Trump, along with Vice President Vance and Usha Vance, are all poised to attend the opening night performance of 'Les Misérables' at the Kennedy Center next week. The musical, based on Victor Hugo's novel, is scheduled to start its month-long run at the Kennedy Center on Wednesday. A White House official confirmed to The Hill on Wednesday a Fox News report that the first family and the Vances would be among the audience members at the show's opening night. 'I love the songs, I love the play,' Trump told Fox News. 'I think it's great — we may extend it,' the president said. 'Les Misérables' is one of the first major productions to be performed on one of the Kennedy Center's stages since Trump overhauled the performing arts institution's board in February and named himself its chairman. The president, who had accused the Kennedy Center of being too 'woke,' appointed his envoy for special missions Richard Grenell as its interim executive director. Trump vowed to 'fix' the Kennedy Center after touring it in March. The president didn't step foot in the Kennedy Center during his first term in office, bucking tradition and declining to attend its annual Honors event after several of the award's recipients criticized him. Vance attended a National Symphony Orchestra performance in March and was met with a chorus of boos from the audience, according to a video posted on social media. On Tuesday, the Kennedy Center denied reports that it allegedly saw a 36-percent decline in sales subscriptions following Trump's takeover of the arts hub. Trump has expressed his fondness for 'Les Misérables' before, often playing 'Do You Hear the People Sing?' during his presidential campaign rallies. –Brett Samuels contributed.
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Trump and Melania to headline power-player packed Kennedy Center opening night
EXCLUSIVE: President Donald Trump, first lady Melania Trump, Vice President JD Vance and second lady Usha Vance will attend the opening night of the musical "Les Misérables" at the Kennedy Center next week, Fox News Digital has learned. "Les Misérables," one of the longest-running shows in Broadway and West End history, will have its opening night at the Kennedy Center on June 11. Grenell Developing 'Common Sense' Plan To Turn Kennedy Center Financials Around "I love the songs, I love the play," Trump told Fox News Digital Tuesday. "I think it's great — we may extend it." The president has famously played songs from "Les Misérables" at his rallies and events. "The Kennedy Center is coming back," the president told Fox News Digital. "It was not properly taken care of and we are taking it back and we are going to turn it back into something great." Read On The Fox News App Kennedy Center President Richard Grennell told Fox News Digital that "'Les Misérables' is proving to be a huge hit." "Opening night is going to be electric," Grennell told Fox News Digital. Kennedy Center Director Encourages Republican Attendance, Says 'Everyone Is Welcome' Kennedy Center officials told Fox News Digital that there will be a red carpet for opening night and that select members of the media will be invited to attend. Officials also said that attendees of the opening-night performance will be encouraged to walk the red carpet. Meanwhile, Kennedy Center officials told Fox News Digital that the first two weeks of the performance are nearly sold out, exceeding $3 million in ticket sales at the box office and exceeding the typical sales timeline. "We expect sales to exceed all expectations, surpassing the previously defined goals," a Kennedy Center spokesperson told Fox News Digital. Meanwhile, sources told Fox News Digital that the president is committed to revitalizing the Kennedy Center, with some suggesting it should eventually be renamed "the Trump–Kennedy Center." The Kennedy Center has two affiliates — the National Symphony Orchestra and the Washington National Opera. The new leadership team is currently working on business plans with its affiliates to ensure the Kennedy Center has larger endowments and "greater sustainability."Original article source: Trump and Melania to headline power-player packed Kennedy Center opening night
Perth Now
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Matt Lucas pulls out of Les Mis show due to health issues
Matt Lucas had to pull out of 'Les Misérables' mid-performance after suffering health issues. The 51-year-old actor and comedian has been starring as Monsieur Thénardier in the touring production of the musical in Australia but was replaced by his co-star Connor Jones after taking ill on stage. He wrote on Instagram: 'I've been having a magical time in Les Misérables in arenas in Sydney and Melbourne. 'In over 30 years I've never had to bow out during a performance but tonight, as I was singing 'Master Of The House', I could feel my voice deserting me, 'So if Thenardier looked very different in Act 2, that was because the amazing Connor Jones took over. 'I'm now in bed resting up, and hope to be back on stage soon.' 'Les Misérables: The Arena Spectacular' began in Sydney last month and continues in Melbourne until May 25, before moving to Brisbane for five shows. The Australian leg is a limited five-week run celebrating the 40th anniversary of the original London production. Meanwhile, Matt recently issued an apology to actress Millie Bobby Brown after he used a catchphrase from a 'Little Britain' character to mock her appearance. Matt wrote 'no but yeah but', the famous phrase from delinquent teenager Vicky Pollard in the popular sketch comedy series, above pictures of the young actress. However, after Millie, 21, hit out at those mocking her appearance, he wrote: 'Dear Millie, I just saw your post and wanted to respond, and provide some context. Nearly 25 years ago I co-wrote and appeared in a sketch show called Little Britain. 'There was a character in it called Vicky Pollard, who had blonde hair and always wore a pink top, and in the photo you had blonde hair and wore a pink top so I pointed out the similarity by posting one of her catchphrases. 'I thought you looked terrific and I was mortified when the press wrote that I 'slammed' you, firstly because that's not my style, and secondly, because I think you're brilliant. 'I would not have posted it if I had thought it would have upset you but I realise it has and for that, I apologise.'
