We can't take any more reservations via the hotline, so to avoid disappointment, get your tickets in advance from Champion’s Sporting Goods, 53 Leonard St. in Belmont Center, and Ooh La La Fudge, 495 Trapelo Road in Waverley Square.

Originally adapted from Victor Hugo’s timeless novel, and adapted from Broadway’s legendary musical, Les Misérables, School Edition introduces a new generation to the grand and inspirational story of ex-convict Jean Valjean, as he seeks to redeem himself from his past. Specially adapted to meet the needs of student performers, it has been abridged to a running time of just over two hours, while carefully maintaining the integrity of one the greatest musicals ever written. The Belmont High School Performing Arts Company, under the direction of Liz Smith, presents Les Misérables, School Edition on Thursday, March 12, Friday, March 13 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, March 14 at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. in the Belmont High School Auditorium, 221 Concord Avenue. The story of Valjean, imprisoned for stealing a loaf of bread, and released from his 19-year term to become an honest man, presents a social commentary on the nature of good, evil, and the law. The play examines the impact of his actions, as he becomes the mayor of a prosperous town and a loving adoptive father— violating his parole in the process. The relentless Inspector Javert, who makes a decent life for Valjean impossible, consequently pursues him. Only years later, after Valjean proves his mettle during a bloody student uprising and saves the life of a young man hopelessly in love with his adopted daughter, does the ex-convict finally feel fully redeemed. The role of Jean Valjean has been double cast as it is a vocally demanding role for a high school student. Director Smith also felt there were two exceptional actors, Seth Ripman and Jack Lowrie, for the role. Both will have an opportunity to perform the role twice, on alternate performances, and rest their voices on their night off. Over the course of rehearsals “the cast have now become quite used to ‘seeing double!’ ” says Smith. Les Misérables, School Edition is performed and run completely by the students. “We have a wonderfully talented cast, almost 50 in number, the largest in many years,” says director Smith, “and Sean Landers, the choral director at the High School has worked with them to produce the most amazing music.” In addition, Arto Asadoorian, Band Director at BHS, has assembled a pit orchestra of 20 students to perform the very challenging score. “The total number involved is nearly 100 students”, says Smith, “they have no adult helpers once we go into the dress rehearsal. With the exception of the orchestra conductor, we all step back into the audience and allow them to run the entire production.” The actors have distinct challenges as many ensemble members have multiple roles and need to switch, not just costume, but character multiple times, up to as many as twelve times in the case of one actor. The 25 member technical crew has also faced some unique challenges including building the famous barricade. The make up crew have the task of making everyone look poor and dirty, giving thieves and beggars scars and sores, and working out how to create the wounds suffered by students on the barricades. “They are especially excited about the teeth blackening products they will be using!” which, Smith noted, will not adversely affect braces and are completely washable. The Performing Arts Company provides opportunities for all students at Belmont High School to participate in the many facets of theatre including acting, directing, costuming, set design and construction, lighting, and sound design. The play has been given a PG rating based on some characters and words in one of the songs.