Motherhood, music, and meaning: Why Fantine hits deeper for Rachelle Ann Go today.
“Les Misérables” will always resonate with Filipinos because of the central, tragic character, which Victor Hugo created, named Fantine. She is popularly identified with the song I Dreamed a Dream. Apart from that, Filipinos could easily refer to the role of two Filipinas who assumed one of the tragic characters in the story, namely Lea Salonga and Rachelle Ann Go.
In the Manila run for “Les Misérables: The World Tour Spectacular,” Rachelle will reprise the role.
Fantine: A story of hope and love
For multiple times that Rachelle has breathed into the role of Fantine, she pointed out, “She (Fantine) has changed as I’ve changed.
“When I first played her, I understood her from an actress’ perspective: a tragic character, a broken woman, as someone whose life had been cruel to her. But now, as a mother, I understand her choices. I no longer see her as weak. I see her as unbelievably strong.
“Fantine is not a victim. She is a fighter. Every decision she makes, even the painful ones, comes from love. She endures humiliation, illness, and loss because she believes Cosette will have a better future.
“And I think my biggest discovery is that Fantine’s story is not really about despair. It’s about hope and love.”
Rachelle is a mother of two with her husband, Martin Spies. They have a son, Lukas Judah Spies (born March 2021), and a daughter, Sela Teruah Spies (born March 2023).
Click arrows or swipe to see more photos
Performing for the Filipino audience, again
Before she was included in the cast for the “Les Misérables: World Tour Spectacular” (2026) at The Theatre at Solaire, she was with the production’s The Arena World Tour (40th anniversary) from 2024 to 2025.
“I performed this role here in Manila 10 years ago, so it’s very special and deeply personal. I think performing Fantine anywhere in the world is emotional, but performing her for a Filipino audience hits differently because I am one of them.
“I grew up here. I dreamed here. This is my home. So when I step onstage, I don’t feel like I’m just portraying a character. I feel like I’m sharing a story with my own people.”
It was a dream come true for her—a full circle moment.
Rachelle noted her observation about the growing theater audiences locally, “It is honestly amazing.
“When I was starting out, theater felt very niche. We had very talented artists and dedicated audiences, but it was still something we had to introduce to people. Now, audiences are actively seeking it.”
The many times she appears as Fantine
Representing the suffering of the working class and the consequences of societal abandonment, Go assumed the young and naive woman working in a factory owned by Jean Valjean. She’s a devoted single mother to her daughter, Cosette, who is being cared for by the cruel Thénardiers (Lea Salonga in the Manila run 2026).
She assumed the role of Fantine multiple times across various productions spanning over a decade, starting from 2015. She first played Fantine in the 30th-anniversary staging at the Queen’s Theatre (now Sondheim Theatre) in London; then in Manila in 2016. She did it again on West End (2020–2021). She returned to doing the role at “Les Misérables: The Staged Concert” at the Sondheim Theatre, including a return in 2021 after a break due to pregnancy. She also performed at the UK and Ireland Tour in 2022.
Apart from Salonga and Go, numerous actresses took on the role, including Patti LuPone in the original West End production and Anne Hathaway in the 2012 film adaptation.
“Les Misérables: The World Tour Spectacular” will close on March 1.
When I first played her, I understood her from an actress’ perspective: a tragic character, a broken woman, as someone whose life had been cruel to her. But now, as a mother, I understand her choices. I no longer see her as weak. I see her as unbelievably strong.
Rachelle Ann Go-Spies
READ:
Lea Salonga on loving a trans child: “Do not have children if…”
Kiko Escuadro
January 22, 2026
Lea Salonga returns to “Les Misérables” with Rachelle Ann Go and Red Concepción in epic Manila run
Jude Cartalaba
December 9, 2025
From side characters to stars: Meet the ‘Ermats’ of ‘Bagets The Musical’
Jude Cartalaba
February 12, 2026
