Les Misérables — Broadway at Cadillac Palace
- Cameron Mackintosh’s touring Les Misérables opened at Chicago’s Cadillac Palace Theatre on May 12 and is scheduled to play a limited run through May 24. (broadwayinchicago.com) - The Chicago stop lists 14 performances, a 2-hour-55-minute runtime, and $49 day-of-show rush tickets sold at the box office. (broadwayinchicago.com) - That matters because this is billed as the production’s final Chicago engagement before the North American tour moves on to New Haven in June. (us-tour.lesmis.com)
Les Misérables is back in downtown Chicago, and the useful part of the news is simple — this is a short run, not an open-ended sit-down. The current Broadway In Chicago engagement opened at the Cadillac Palace Theatre on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, and it is scheduled to close on Sunday, May 24. (broadwayinchicago.com) That gives theatergoers less than two weeks to catch one of the biggest touring musicals still on the road. ### When is it actually playing? The official performance calendar lists evening shows on May 13, 14, 15, 19, 20, 21, and 22, plus double-performance weekends on May 16 and May 23, and Sunday performances on May 17 and May 24. (us-tour.lesmis.com) In other words, there are multiple chances this week, but not many total once you zoom out. Chicago’s stop is capped at 14 performances. ### How long is the show? Plan for a real night out. The listed runtime is 2 hours and 55 minutes, including intermission. That matters more than people think at the Cadillac Palace — if you are stacking dinner, parking, Metra timing, or babysitting around it, this is not a quick in-and-out event. (broadwayinchicago.com) ### What version is this? This is Cameron Mackintosh’s touring production — the modern staging that has been marketed as a refreshed version of the classic musical rather than a museum piece. It is still the same giant Victor Hugo story: Jean Valjean, Javert, Fantine, Cosette, the barricades, and the score everybody already knows, from “I Dreamed a Dream” to “One Day More.” (broadwayinchicago.com) ### Why does the Chicago stop feel time-sensitive? Because it is being framed as the final Chicago run for this production, and the official tour schedule already points to the next city. After Cadillac Palace, the North American tour moves to New Haven, where performances begin June 2, 2026. (broadwayinchicago.com) So this is not one of those shows where “I’ll catch it later” is a safe bet locally. ### What’s the cheapest legitimate way in? Broadway In Chicago says a limited number of $49 day-of-show rush tickets are available for every performance. The catch is that they are sold only at the theater box office on the day of the show, limited to two per valid ID, and availability is not guaranteed. (broadwayinchicago.com) Seats can also be single seats or limited-view seats. Basically — great if you are flexible, risky if you are planning around one exact performance. ### Is it family-friendly? Broadway In Chicago lists the show as suitable for ages 12 and up, and it also notes that every person entering the theater needs a ticket regardless of age. (us-tour.lesmis.com) That is a pretty standard touring-Broadway setup, but it is worth knowing before you assume a younger child can tag along. ### Why does this show still travel so well? Because Les Mis sits in the tiny category of musicals that work as both spectacle and shorthand. Even people who have never seen it usually know the songs, the logo, or the basic emotional shape. Broadway In Chicago also leans on the scale here — more than 130 million people have seen the musical worldwide across 53 countries, 438 cities, and 22 languages. (broadwayinchicago.com) ### Bottom line If you want to see Les Mis in Chicago, the window is open now and closes May 24. The practical move is simple — pick a date soon, or gamble on rush if you can be spontaneous. (broadwayinchicago.com)
