Cast of Les Miserables. (Photo by Brennen Russell)
Winner of eight Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Les Misérables tells a timeless story of courage, love, and sacrifice, set against the backdrop of 19th-century France. Each character has an arc of their own, but without the talented actors’ hard work and dedication those emotional journeys would fall flat. We sat down with Monet Sabel* (Fantine), Ethan Rogers* (Jean Valjean), and Geoffrey F. Belliston* (Javert) to ask about their process for preparing to take on these beloved characters.
Haven’t seen Les Misérables yet? Join us before the fight is over on October 18. Get your tickets now!
Cast of Les Miserables. (Photo by Brennen Russell)
Monet Sabel* as Fantine
Q: How does stepping into the role of Fantine challenge you as a performer?
Monet: Fantine has a pretty tragic journey, and it all happens so quickly within the first hour of the show. There is no time to warm up into the emotional arc I have to go on; in fact, I have to get ahead of it as much as I can, and mentally prepare for what’s coming, while also still keeping it spontaneous for our audiences. It’s been an honor, and so fulfilling, to breathe life into this role!
Q: Is there a moment in Fantine’s journey that changed for you once you got it on its feet in rehearsal?
Monet: “I Dreamed a Dream” is such an iconic song, and I had a lot of preconceived notions about how I might try to make it my own and do justice to this excellent piece. Once we got into rehearsal, however, we found that the song is so much more effective if I ground myself and let the music flow through me. I don’t have to put anything on top, really. It’s hard sometimes as an actor to trust that I am enough, and I don’t need to push, but this song is teaching me there is so much power in stillness.
Q: What do you want the audience to understand about Fantine beyond the tragedy of her story?
Monet: I think it’s so easy to think of her as a helpless woman who has misfortune and hopelessness thrust upon her, when in reality she fights to her death to save her daughter — every choice she makes is for the safety of Cosette. The only time Fantine asks for anything is on her deathbed, when she asks Valjean to take her hand before she passes. I hope people leave really feeling how strong and selfless Fantine is. And I hope you get a glimpse of who Fantine once was, in “I Dreamed a Dream”. She lived life to the fullest for as long as she could.
Q: How do you protect your voice while singing music this emotionally and vocally demanding?
Monet: My 2 biggest needs are sleep and water. Especially during this Phoenix summer heat! I have several specific vocal and physical warmups I like to do before the show, and I take anti-inflammatory supplements like turmeric, and bromelain (a pineapple enzyme!), and lots of electrolytes. 8 shows a week is no joke!
Q: You’ve performed everywhere from national tours to Off-Broadway to Japan. What has made this production feel especially meaningful to you?
Monet: I do travel around so much, so getting to be in one city for almost 5 months has felt like a dream! I’m so lucky to have been welcomed into the Phoenix community with open arms. Our director, Brendan Stackhouse, and I have worked together previously, but this is by far our greatest collaboration — it’s been so special to do this with him, here. This theater is so fantastic in every way, and the audiences have been spectacular. It’s so moving for me to see how much Les Mis means to everyone. It’s a special one!
Ethan Rogers* as Jean Valjean. (Photo by Brennen Russell)
Ethan Rogers* as Jean Valjean
Q: What have you discovered about Valjean after playing him night after night?
Ethan: Discovering Valjean’s journey of redemption every night is always a gift. His life is such a clear reminder of the Gospel message and our need for God’s grace and forgiveness.
Q: What’s it like playing this dream role in your favorite musical?
Ethan: Performing Jean Valjean has been one of the great joys of my life. From my first performance at 24 years old at the Orpheum Theater in Omaha, NE to playing the role every night here in Phoenix, the role meets me where I am in life and offers a richer perspective as I continue to grow as an actor, husband, and person.
Q: How do you portray Valjean’s transformation across so many years?
Ethan: The role is written so well that his journey feels so natural. You get on the train and the text and score takes you along for the ride!
Q: What challenges you more: Valjean’s big vocal moments or his quieter scenes?
Ethan: It changes night to night because both bring unique challenges. You have to get fired up for the intense numbers like “Soliloquy” and “Who Am I?”, but drastically shift gears to find Valjean’s tenderness for “Bring Him Home.”
Q: What past role best prepared you to play Jean Valjean?
Ethan: I think being on tour with Les Misérables was what best prepared me to step into the role full time in Phoenix. Immersing myself in the show really helped me understand the style and the grit of the piece; I learned how much of you is required to portray this role honestly and to deliver the caliber of performance that the audience deserves.
Geoffrey F. Belliston* as Javert. (Photo by Brennen Russell)
Geoffrey F. Belliston* as Javert
Q: What makes Javert different from roles you’ve played before?
Geoffrey: Javert, as odd as it seems, hits quite close to home for me. Being raised LDS, serving a two-year mission for the church, I found myself around quite a few “Javerts,” often. He is the letter of the law versus the spirit of the law. He is more tightly wound and stoic than a lot of roles I’ve gotten to play over the years.
Q: What did you need to understand about Javert to make his choices feel truthful?
Geoffrey: I needed to understand his truths, humanities and views of the world. He is so black and white, and I’ve found the actual world has so many more shades of gray than Javert could ever see. In the book, his only connection to humanity, his treat at the end of a good, hard days work, (open to interpretation to what that means) was one hit of snuff. I’m sure he says his prayers, eats his bread and water for dinner, reads his bible, shines his shoes, prays again and dreams of arresting people all night long, with a side smirk and raised lip shake at times.
Q: How do you find the humanity in a character often seen as the villain?
Geoffrey: I love this question because I really don’t see him as the villain. The Antagonist? ABSOLUTELY. The foil to Valjean, absolutely, but the villain I think more is Thernardier. Javert is a JERK, don’t get me wrong, an absolute narcissist etc. but I feel he is more misguided than evil. He was born inside a jail to two questionably moral people, and he went the exact opposite way, but over the years the unrighteous dominion, and ego just escalated more and more. We see it over and over again throughout the histories.
Q: What does “Stars” reveal about Javert that we don’t see elsewhere?
Geoffrey: I think “Stars” reveals a bit of that humanity that he does have in there but is so tightly wound that doesn’t allow himself to “feel” anything. We talked about this in rehearsals… why would he have a ballad?? Why does the mean cop have a ballad? Because we are all Javert. We are all humans. Together in this crazy game of life. We set our standards and try to live by them, different for everyone. Not one better than the next but our own. Javert’s are just misguided. Complete fixation on a guy who is a GOOD GUY who just got caught up in some bad stuff for a sec, and when he finally realizes that a “convict” a number, 24601 that’s all he is to him, lets him live when he should’ve killed him? He goes through an entire faith crisis and existential breakdown in minutes with not a great ending…
Q: What is your favorite moment in the show?
Geoffrey: Tough, tough, tough question! Every quip, dance or laugh we have backstage. It is such an incredible team we get to be surrounded by every day, and I am in CONSTANT awe of the music I get to hear sung every night by a STACKED vocal cast, orchestra, crews, etc. It truly takes a village and ours is pretty darn awesome, Javert is one of, if not the hardest things I’ve done professionally, and I am beyond grateful for every moment.
Details
Dates: July 15 – October 18, 2026
Location: The Phoenix Theatre Company, Dr. Stacie J. and Richard J Stephenson Theatre
Tickets: phoenixtheatre.com | (602) 254-2151
Audio Description and American Sign Language interpretation are available for this production. Performance dates and details can be found at phoenixtheatre.com.
*Courtesy of Actors Equity Association
Click here for a PDF of the full article.
