Toulon: We begin at the beginning of the 19th century in a prison in France (hence the French name). The convicts are working hard and sing the opening song, The Work Song. There we meet a certain convict named Jean Valjean, who has reached the end of his 19 year sentence, which he received for stealing a loaf of bread for his starving niece. The police officer in the prison, Javert, gives Valjean his yellow ticket, showing that he is on parole for a hideous crime, and sends him on his way. Valjean leaves and finds that he cannot receive work or lodging because everywhere he goes people see his ticket and turn him away. Eventually a kindly bishop gives him a room and serves him dinner on the finest silver. Valjean wakes up in the night, steals as much silver as he can lay his hands on and runs, only to be caught by two police officers who bring him back, despite his story that the bishop had given him the silver as a present. The bishop confirms Valjean's story, much to the surprise of the officers. As soon as they are alone, the bishop gives Valjean the silver and the silver candlesticks which he had left behind and tells him to run away and start a new life, Valean arrested/Valjean Forgiven, Valjean's Soliloquy
8 years later, Montreuil-sur-mer: Our next scene is set in a factory in the picturesque town of Montreuil-sur-mer. At the end of the Day, is sung by the workers at pay day. One of the workers is called Fantine, and she is having trouble with the foreman. She receives a letter from the keepers of her daughter, Cosette, telling her that she needs to send more money. The foreman automatically assumes the worst and a row ensues. The owner of the factory, Jean Valjean, who has in the meantime changed his identity and started anew, stands by and watches as Fantine is fired and is turned to the street. Penniless, Fantine wanders, I Dreamed a Dream, selling her most precious belongings in order to raise food for Cosette, and eventually must resort to becoming a prostitute to pay her expenses, Lovely Ladies. She gets in a fight with a customer, Bamtabois (can't spell, help!) and ends up being arrested by Javert, who just HAPPENS to have been transfered, Fantine's Arrest. Valjean, as mayor of the city, orders Javert to release Fantine, as she is ill and needs to go to hospital. Javert has no choice but to release Fantine, and life goes on. Soon after, a cart breaks down and a man, Fauchlevent, is trapped under it, Runaway Cart. Valjean sees the crisis, and singlehandedly lifts the cart and saves Fauchlevent. Javert sees the scene and his suspicions are roused as he remembers that the only person he knew who could perform such a feat of strenth was Jean Valjean. He tells Valjean of this, unaware of his identity and unsuspicious as he believes that the "real" Valjean was caught and is about to be put to trial. When Valjean hears of this he is faced with a dilemma over whether to confess, Who am I. He rushes to the courtroom, as the judges are about to give their verdict and reveals himself. Then he runs back to the hospital, where Fantine is dying. He promises to take care of Cosette and Fantine dies in his arms, Fantine's Death. He turns from the bed only to find Javert looming over him, having followed him from the courtroom. They confront each other, Confrontation, Valjean breaks a chair over his head and knocks him out and subsequently runs away.
Montfermeil: The scene changes and we see the inn belonging to the Thenardiers. Thenardier and his wife, Madame Thenardier, have been keeping Cosette with them while Fantine was out earning money. During this time they treated her appalingly and the scene begins with Cosette sweeping and singing of her misery, Castle on a Cloud. Madame Thenardier enters and sends her to the woods to get water from the well. The customers of the inn enter and we learn of all the Thenardiers' misdeeds, Master of the House. On the way from the woods, big bucket in hand, Cosette encounters Valjean, who has come to save her. After a bargain is struck with the Thenardiers,The Bargin/The Waltz of Treachery , Valjean takes Cosette wih him to Paris
Paris, 10 years later: The poor are have gotten poorer, Look Down, and there is civil unrest. The Amis ABC, a political society bent on revolution, run by Enjolras, is waiting for the moment to attack, Cafe ABC. Marius, one of the Amis, rushes in to the meeting, late, after having bumped into Older Cosette in the streets and having fallen instantly in love. Enjolras explains that this is no time for love, Red and Black and that the only thing he loves is his country, Do You Hear the People Sing. Marius pays no attention and asks his friend, Eponine, who is secretely in love with him, to find out where Cosette lives. Cosette is sitting in her garden, singing of her love, In My Life, when Marius finds her, and they sing a duet together, A Heart Full of Love, while Eponine watches from the gate, knowing that there is no hope of her ever being with Marius
Meanwhile, the death of General Lamarque begins the uprising and revolution and the Amis ABC want to build a barricade in the streets of Paris. Valjean, sensing trouble, is afraid of the consequences and thinks that Javert may find him, so he decides that him and Cosette should leave at once for England. Marius is torn between his love for Cosette and his duty at the barricade and eventually goes with the Amis ABC. Javert is going to disguise himself and spy on the barricade while pretending to be a rebel. The first act ends with the entire cast voicing their worries, anticipations and faiths, in One Day More.
Marius spots a boy wondering around the Barricade and discovers that it is none other the Eponine. Fearing for her safety he sends her with a letter to Cosette.
At Rue Plumet Eponine meets Valjean who intercepts the letter and gives Eponine his word that it will reach Cosette. Eponine leaves Valjean by the gate and he reads the letter, which reveals Marius's love for Cosette and visa versa. Eponine over hears the contents of the letter and takes to wondering the streets alone and dreaming of what life might of been like with Marius in On My Own. Knowing all hope is lost she return to the Barricades.
The Barricade is built, Building the Barricade, and the students prepare for the battle ahead. Javert returns, Javerts arrival, and reports back the plans of the government. Gavroche interupts Javerts account of what he saw, revealing him to be a spy, Little People, Enjolras orders that Javert should be tied up and dealt with later so they can concentrate on the battle in hand.
Gunshots ring out and a boy climbs over the barricade, it's Eponine, Marius rushes to her demanding to know why she has returned and if she has delivered the letter to Cosette. She collapses in his arms and he discovers that she has in fact been shot. She lays in his arms and tell him that she loves him, A Little Fall Of Rain, and then she dies.
Valjean arrives at the Barricade claiming he would like to fight,Night of Anguish, Enjolras agrees to let him help but warns him if he turns on them he will end up like their other prisoner, Javert. The First Attack takes place and the students win. Enjolras is in debt to Valjean as he saved his life, he asks Valjean how he can repay him and Valjean replys by asking for the duty of "taking care" of Javert. Much to Javerts disgust, Valjean lets him go and tells Javert that once the battle is over he is to come and find him and arrest him. Javert tells Valjean that he must want a bargin of some kind but Valjean tells him he is just letting Javert do his duty.
The Students settle down for the night ans recall old times in Drink With Me. As Marius sleeps Valjeans prays that the boy will be safe from harm for Cosettes sake in Bring Him Home.
The Dawn Of Anguish comes and Enjolras realizes that no one is going to help them to fight so he decides that all the woman and fathers of children must go in order not to waste lives.
A Second Attack takes place but the group are low on ammunition so, to Valjeans horror, Marius volunteers to go into the street and steal it from the dead bodies, Valjean then offers to find ammunition in Marius's place, Gavroche tells them they are both too slow and rushes over the top of the Barricade where he is shot and killed. The Final Battle begins. All of the students are killed except Marius who is wounded. Javert follows them into The Sewers. Valjean collapses with exhaustion and is found by Thenardier, who is picking the pockets of the dead, Dog Eat Dog, and steals a ring off of Marius. Valjean regains his strength and carrys on through te sewers where he meets Javert. Valjean pleads for one more hour of freedom in order to get Marius to safety. Javert agrees then lets Valjean go.
Disgusted with himself for feeling compassion and not doing his duty, Javert feels his world of control falling apart and commits suicide.(Javert's Suicide) The Women of the revoloution tell of how they are left to pick up the pieces in Turning.
Marius is recovering from his wound and mourns the death of his friends in Empty Chairs and Empty Tables. Cosette tells him how pleased she is with his progress, Everyday, but Marius still wonders who saved him from the Barricade she tells him not to worry about it for they are together. Valjean gives Marius Cosette's hand in marriage. Cosette leaves Marius and Valjean alone and Valjean tells Marius who he really is and that he must go away, Valjean's Confession. Marius and Cosette gets married in The Wedding Chorale, and the Thenardiers turn up, Thenardier tells Marius that he saw Valjean in the sewers the night the Barricade fell and shows Marius works out the truth, that Valjean saved himfrom certain death, he punches Thenardier for trying to twist the truth and con him, then he and Cosette leave to find Valjean. The Thenardiers sing of how they manage to come out on top even in situations like this in Beggers at The Feast.
Valjean is alone in his room, he is old and dying and waiting to be taking from the earth, Valjean's Death, Fantines Ghost appears and she thanks Valjean for caring for Cosette. Cosette and Marius rush in and Marius tells Cosette how Valjean saved him, Valjean tells Cosette that he has wrote the story of his life and she should read it when he dies. Fantine reappears along with Eponine who take Valjean to Heaven. All the ghosts from the Barricade appear and along with Marius and Cosette, sing of the new world they will see when tomorrow comes in the Epilogue.
The End!