For a show that centers around a bloody revolution and features a thief, prostitute and an obsessed police officer as main characters, the success of Wharton Center’s next big  musical is nothing short of phenomenal.

“Les Misérables,” the second longest-running play in Broadway history, recently entered its 16th year of performing in the United States and has enjoyed high ticket sales in scores of major cities.

The show’s East Lansing stop is no exception. “Les Misérables” is part of Wharton’s 20th Anniversary Encore Season and nearly all houses have sold out.

“Basically, we’re bringing back the best of the best,” said Wharton spokesman Bob Hoffman. “‘Les Misérables’ is one of the most popular shows we’ve ever had here.”

“Les Misérables” (pronounced lay mihz-eh-rahb) visited East Lansing for the 1988-89, ’91-92 and ’94-95 seasons.

“Les Mis,” the show’s shortened title, was born in 1980 in Paris, the combined work of Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Sch