MELBA MOORE RETURNS TO BROADWAY AFTER A LONG ABSENCE AS 'FANTINE' IN LES MISÉRABLES BEGINNING JANUARY 9th AT THE IMPERIAL THEATER

March, 1995- Tony Award winning actress Melba Moore, who rose to fame with such milestone musicals as Hair and Purlie and subsequently moved on to a hugely successful career encompassing music, stage and television, will return to Broadway for the first time in 17 years when she takes over the role of the ill-fated 'Fantine' Tuesday, January 9 in Cameron Mackintosh's production of Les Misérables at the Imperial Theater.

Melba Moore made her Broadway debut in 1968's Hair, then coined "the tribal love rock musical." Following Hair, Moore starred in Purlie, as 'Lutiebelle,' stopping the show nightly with "I Got Love," and winning the 1970 Tony Award as Best Featured Actress in a Musical. That same year, Moore made an instant splash in the recording industry with her debut album, for which she received a Grammy nomination as best new artist. The years that followed brought Moore great success on stage; in the music business; and on television, with various guest appearances, as well as her own summer series on CBS. At the height of her career, Moore had sold over 10 million albums and made over $15 million. But by the early 90's, Moore, who was raising a daughter alone, found herself penniless, and was forced to go on welfare. It was not long before she found her story splashed across the tabloids.

Since then, Melba Moore has been working her way back. In South Florida, she recently tried-out a one woman show based on her life. Richard Jay-Alexander, executive producer and associate director of Les Misérables and a part-time resident of Miami, heard about Moore's s how and decided to take a look. "I didn't know what to expect," said Jay-Alexander "I remembered Purlie and Hair, but I had completely forgotten the incredible four-octave plus range she has. She had me in tears by the end of the first act; her story is really quite amazing and moving." Shortly thereafter, Jay-Alexander offered Moore the role of 'Fantine.'

Melba Moore will perform in Les Misérables through March 31. Les Misérables, now in its 9th year in New York, is the fourth longest-running show in Broadway history. For tickets and information, call Telecharge at (212) 239-6200.