Pictured are students rehearsing for Jamestown High School’s production of “Les Miserables: School Edition.” The show will be presented March 13-15 in the Merton P. Corwin Auditorium inside Jamestown High School, 350 E. Second St., Jamestown.

Jamestown High School will present “Les Miserables: School Edition” on Thursday, March 13, and Friday, March 14, at 7 p.m. and Saturday, March 15, at 2 and 7 p.m. in the Merton P. Corwin Auditorium of Jamestown High School, 350 E. Second St..

Based on the novel by Victor Hugo, the musical, with music by Claude-Michel Schonberg and lyrics by Herbert Kretzmer is under the direction of Lauren Scharf, with vocal direction by Melissa Beichner, choreography created by Jennie Caruso, and pit orchestra direction by Meghan Murray.

“When selecting a show for this spring, Melissa (Beichner) and I were immediately drawn to Les Miserables,” Scharf said. “We felt we had the students and the support necessary to pull off a show of this magnitude. Our students have been working incredibly hard to be able to successfully present this show to our community this March.”

In nineteenth-century France, Jean Valjean is released from years of unjust imprisonment but finds nothing in store for him but mistrust and mistreatment. He breaks his parole in hopes of starting a new life, initiating a lifelong struggle for redemption as he is relentlessly pursued by police inspector Javert, who refuses to believe Valjean can change his ways. Finally, during the Paris student uprising of 1832, Javert must confront his ideals after Valjean spares his life and saves that of the student revolutionary who has captured the heart of Valjean’s adopted daughter.

Epic, grand, and uplifting, Les Miserables School Edition packs an emotional wallop that has thrilled audiences worldwide. This author-approved edition has been abridged to a running time of just over two hours while beautifully maintaining the integrity of this musical masterpiece.

Jamestown High School’s musical program has also been nominated again for the Shea’s Wonder Awards. The program, which JHS participated in last year, is designed to “celebrate and support the arts in high schools, foster excellence in musical theatre, and provide valuable educational opportunities for students.”

If nominated, the students would be able to perform selections from the show on stage at Shea’s Performing Arts Center in Buffalo in May.

The production includes nearly 100 students in the cast, pit orchestra, and production crew, led by student stage managers Lilly Johnson and Zoe Haskins and assistant stage managers Jaylynn Carlson and John Johnston

General admission is $10 and can be purchased at the door or online at our.show/jhslesmis with an additional service fee.

The production is presented through an arrangement with Music Theatre International.