TONY AWARD-WINNER LEA SALONGA TO JOIN THE CAST OF CAMERON MACKINTOSH'S LES MISERABLES IN THE ROLE OF EPONINE BEGINNING TUESDAY EVENING, JANUARY 5TH THROUGH MARCH 28TH

September 9, 1992- Lea Salonga, Tony Award-winning star of Miss Saigon, will join the cast of Cameron Mackintosh's Les Misérables beginning Tuesday evening, January 5th, 1993 through Sunday March 28th, 1993. Ms. Salonga will play the role of Eponine in the musical, now in its sixth year on Broadway at The Imperial Theatre (249 West 45th Street).

"I've always wanted to play Eponine," said Ms. Salonga. "From the moment I first saw Les Misérables I fell in love with the role -- and the show. As a matter of fact, when I auditioned for the role of Kim in Miss Saigon, I sang 'On My Own,' which is the ballad Eponine sings in Les Misérables," she said.

Lea Salonga received the Laurence Olivier Award for her portrayal of Kim in the London production of Miss Saigon, and has received the 1991 Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical, as well as the Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle and Theatre World Awards for her performance of Kim on Broadway. She has recently performed for President and Mrs. Bush at the Victory Awards at the Kennedy Center for Performing Arts in Washington D.C. and for Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, at the Royal Variety Performance in London, as well as appearing on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson.

This year Lea recorded the role of Tuptim for the soon-to-be-released Rodgers and Hammerstein recording of The King and I, also starring Julie Andrews, Ben Kingsley and Peabo Bryson. Lea also recorded the singing voice of Jasmine for the upcoming Disney film, Aladdin. She recently performed at the Pacific Rim Forum in San Diego, The Songwriter's Hall of Fame Awards in New York, the Opening Ceremonies of the 30th Chess Olympiad in Manila, the Exposition '92 in Seville, Spain, and at the Hollywood Bowl during its Summer Festival 92 concert series, along with Peabo Bryson and the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, conducted by John Mauceri. Lea is presently at work on her Atlantic Records debut album.

The Broadway production of Les Misérables also currently features Mark McKerracher as Jean Valjean, Richard Kinsey as Javert, Rachel York as Fantine, Eric Kunze as Marius, Melissa Anne Davis as Cosette, Drew Eshelman as Thenardier, Evalyn Baron as Madame Thenardier and Lawrence Anderson as Enjolras. For tickets and information call Telcharge at (212) 239-6200.