Show Synopsis:
Jean Valjean tries to make amends for his past criminal actions by taking in Cosette, the daughter of a dead prostitute and running a small French town as its mayor. He has to flee with Cosette when the policeman Javert begins pursuing him, pulling her away from her love Marius, who is involved in an upcoming student rebellion against the government for the good of the poor. Javert disguises himself to join the revolutionaries, as does Éponine, who is in love with Marius. The rebels begin to die in battle, and Valjean saves Javert, which causes Javert to question his rights and wrongs. Javert commits suicide, Marius mourns the death of many of his friends, and Valjean has to run away, so he gives Marius his blessing to marry Cosette. Cosette and Marius find Valjean before he dies in a convent and he gives Cosette his written final confession so that she can learn about her mother and Valjean's life.	

Character:
Jean Valjean, a man in his 50s who has spent the second half of his life concealing his past as a prisoner; desperately believes everything he does is for the best and to serve God; loves Cosette as a daughter even though they are not related; constantly trying to be a good man and make the best choices, avoiding bloodshed whenever possible.

Song Context:
Valjean has overheard Marius' fears of dying and his longing for Cosette, and prays to God that he will come home from the war safely. Disregarding any relationship Marius has with his foster daughter, Valjean does not see the need for young boys to be dying at the hands of the Parisian government and wants to protect as many of them as possible.	

Fun Facts:
1. One of the longest running musicals of all time, Les Miserables is originaly based on Victor Hugo's novel of the same name. 
2. Hugh Jackman played the role of Valjean in the 2012 film adaptation of Les Miserables and described the role in an interview with CBS News as "the holy grail for me. I know that it demands everything from me, as a singer, as an actor, to pull it off. It's the role of a lifetime." 
3. Colm Wilkinson originated the role of Valjean on the West End and on Broadway, although the producers had to fight for him to transfer the role to New York, because Actor's Equity Association did not want to hire an un-American actor in the role. He went on to win the Helen Hayes, Outer Critics Circle, and Theatre World Award for his performance.