After several weeks of tryouts and callbacks between applicants and directors, the role of Jean Valjean, the central character in "Les Misérables," has been cast.

Peter Lockyer, the director with Broadway acting credits, will portray the petty thief imprisoned for stealing a loaf of bread, in the highly-touted musical based on the Victor Hugo novel, opening Sept. 26 at DHT. He previously portrayed the romantic hero Marius in "Les Miz" for six years on Broadway and also played Chris in "Miss Saigon" and the Phantom and Raoul in "The Phantom of the Opera," so Honolulu audiences will see a certified Broadway performer.

Lockyer's wife, Melanie Tojio Lockyer, will co-direct and choreograph with him.

"It was a tough role to fill," said Kymber-Lee Char, DHT marketing director of cornering a Valjean. "Ideally, Melanie and Peter wanted to cast with local talent."

Several actors were part of the rigorous audition process, with Lockyer even considering New Yorkers for the demanding role. With the clock ticking and ther rest of the cast already in rehearsals, artistic director John Rampage and executive director Deena Dray asked Lockyer to step in and share his Broadway pedigree.

Other principal roles players will be Thomas Johnson as Javert, Tricia Marciel as Fantine, Layton "Elika" Santos as Enjolras, Shawna Masuda as Eponine, Elitei Tatafu Jr. as Marius, Martina Cacciaroni as Cosette, Douglas Scheer as Thenardier, and Cathy Foy-Mahi as Madame Thenardier.

The pair of key children's roles will be double-cast: Lauren Nagamine, Chelsea Lynne Michel and Ava Williams will alternate as Little Cosette and Little Eponine; and Jackson Brians and Tommy Olson will share the role of Gavroche.

Male ensemble members will be George Benavente, Jack Galliano, Thomas McCurdy, Jay Flores, Michael Dupre, Beaumont Brians, Chris Villasenor, Troy Manandic, Kyle Malis, Jose Ver, Charles Mukaida, Cameron Olson, Daren Kimura, Joshua Duhaylonsod, Daniel Kunkel, and Gary Masuoka. The female ensemble will feature Megan Mount, Kirsten Dixon, Jennifer Harris, U'i Kapuaakuni Giskra, Briana Pratt, Vanessa Benavente, Alison Aldcroft, Michelle Boudreau, and Nanilisa Pascua.

"Les Miz," as most folks know it, requires a barricade and a turntable stage as part of the staging requirements. However, the rights to do the show do not come with the blueprint of reproducing that look, so designer Willie Sabel is challenged to capture the flavor of the show without the kind of budget to replicate the turntable element.

The creative team also includes costume designer Karen Wolfe, lighting designer Stephen Clear, sound designer Mikel Humerickhouse, make-up and hair designer Jess Aki, props designer Willie Sabel, and production stage manager Meagan Olson.

Performances will be at 8 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays and at 4 p.m. Sundays, through Oct. 12, with additional 3 p.m. matinees on Sept. 29 and Oct. 6.

Single seats are $12 to$42, with student, senior and active duty military discounts available.

Charge by phone: 733-0274, www.diamondheadtheatre.com.