RALEIGH — Thirty million people have seen "Les Miserables" around the world. Another 2,500 will see it Tuesday night as the Best of Broadway series brings the Victor Hugo story to Raleigh's Memorial Auditorium.

"Les Miserables" has it all -- from a student-led revolution to a love story that includes a wedding. Sandwiched in between is a remarkable journey of good triumphing evil.

One of the lead characters is Fantine, a single mother abandoned by her lover and left to do anything she can to raise her child. She dies, leaving her child in the protection of the lead character, John Valjean.

Thursday Farrar plays "Fantine" in Raleigh's production, something that may surprise people who have seen the musical before.

"It is a big deal to be one of only two African-Americans to play this role, and it truly reflects more of what was going on in Europe," she says.

She believes her heritage gives her a greater understanding of the struggles and pain of her character.

"As an African-American we have a lot of that in us," she says. "We have had to overcome so many obstacles."

"Les Miserables" runs through Sunday at Memorial Auditorium. All performances are sold out.