Broadway On The Plaza: 'Les Miz'

(CBS)  All good things must come to an end. After 16 successful years, "Les Miserables" will say goodbye March 16.

And on Friday, performances by cast members Jacquelyn Piro, J. Mark McVey and Diana Kaarina will close The Early Show's Broadway on the Plaza series. They will sing "I Dreamed a Dream," "Bring 'em Home" and "On My Own."

After "Cats," "Les Miz" is the longest-running musical in the history of Broadway. The story centers on Jean Valjean - one man in his lifelong struggle to stay out of prison and help the people he loves.

"Les Misérables" - New York Facts

Theater: The Imperial Theater, 249 West 45th Street

Opened: March 12, 1987, at The Broadway Theater. It moved to The Imperial Theatre on Oct. 17, 1990, to make way for "Miss Saigon."

Description: Based on Victor Hugo's classic novel, "Les Misérables" is an epic saga that sweeps through three turbulent decades of 19th century French history. The show is also the story of one man, the fugitive Jean Valjean, who is pitted against the self-righteous Inspector Javert, in a lifelong struggle to evade capture.

Milestones: The longest-running show currently playing on Broadway, "Les Misérables" recently became the second longest-running show in Broadway history (behind "Cats") when it played performance No. 6,138 on Jan. 25, surpassing the run of "A Chorus Line." It celebrated its 15th Anniversary on March 12. Seen by more than 9 million people, the New York production has grossed more than $390 million. Worldwide, "Les Misérables" has been seen by over 50 million people, with a total gross of over $1.8 billion.

Cast: J. Mark McVey as Jean Valjean, Philip Hernandez as Javert, Jacquelyn Piro as Fantine, Kevin Kern as Marius, Diana Kaarina as Eponine, Sandra Turley as Cosette, Christopher Mark Peterson as Enjolras, Nick Wyman as Thénardier and Aymee Garcia as Mme Thénardier.

Creative Team: Produced by Cameron Mackintosh; By Alain Boublil & Claude-Michel Schönberg; Music by Claude-Michel Schönberg; Lyrics by Herbert Kretzmer; Original French Text by Alain Boublil & Jean-Marc Natel; Additional Material by James Fenton; Directed by Trevor Nunn & John Caird; Designed by John Napier; Lighting by David Hersey; Costumes by Andreane Neofitou; Sound by Andrew Bruce.

Awards: 1987 Tony Awards: Best Musical, Book, Score, Director, Featured Actress in a Musical, Featured Actor in a Musical, Set Design and Lighting Design. Drama Critics Award for Best Musical. Drama Desk Awards: Best Musical, Featured Actor, Orchestrations, Music and Set Design. Grammy Awards: Best Original Cast Recording (Broadway Recording, 1988, and The Complete Symphonic Recording, 1991).