“Les Misérables, School Edition” opens tonight at Emmaus High School.

Performances start 7 p.m. through March 17 with a matinee performance 2 p.m. March 17.

Based on the epic novel “Les Misérables” by French author Victor Hugo, the musical has won numerous accolades from Oscars to Tonys, has its own website, lesmis.com and has been seen in 44 countries and performed in 22 languages.

Set in 19th-century France, at the center of "Les Miz," as it is affectionately known to its diehard fans, is the plight of Jean Valjean, an escaped convict and his pursuit by the relentless Inspector Javert. Valjean’s original offense for which he was imprisoned was stealing a loaf of bread to feed his sister’s children.

The character is based on Eugène-François Vidocq, a real person and former convict whose second act included the founding of a detective agency, believed to be the first in the world.

A story of redemption, second chances, revolution, poverty and more, the work qualifies for many as a cultural touchstone, sparking various versions as movies, stage dramas and a television miniseries in addition to the celebrated musical.

The London production of “Les Misérables” has run continuously since October 1985. The first edition of the book sold out the first day of its release in 1862, according to the website dramaticpublishing.com.

The Emmaus High School production features Sebastian Mora as Jean Valjean, Trevor Warren as Javert, Ryan Murphy as Marius and Alena Slak as Cosette. Danielle Potts plays Eponine Thénardier, Analise Edwards plays Fantine, Thomas Murgitroyde is Thénardier and Gabrielle Mull plays Madame Thénardier, his wife. Fantine leaves her daughter Cosette with the Thénardiers to look for work.

Lorenzo Antigua will appear as Enjolras and Jack McElhenney will play the Bishop whose kindness gives Valjean another chance after his escape from prison. Sajan Patel is Grantaire. Anwill Martinez is Feuilly.

Robert Pierno plays Joly, Lucas Nowak plays Courfeyrac, Eddie Coleman plays Combeferre, Ian Morrin plays Prouvaire and Caleb Hill is Lesgles.

Aiden Panko and Sebastian Steltz are Gavroche, a young boy who lives on the streets of Paris.

Allison Hurley, Arianna Lutz and Natalie Traweek will share the role of Young Cosette and Eva Glover, Allison Hurley and Natalie Traweek will take turns as the character Young Eponine.

The ensemble includes Kyle Barkis, Hersh Budhwar, Joey Draper, Lauren Garcia, Aimee Groller, Jonas Hausman, Giavanna Ingato, Rachel Knappenberger, Maya Kita, Maddie Kohler, Alec Liu, Kayleigh McNellis, Julia Perose, Emma Rotman, Maya Schlesinger, Zach Shapiro, Téa van Linde and Jada Witkowski.

In her director’s notes for the production, Jill Kuebler writes this 2019 production is the second time EHS has presented the school edition of “Les Misérables.”

“We are proud to bring the renowned Les Misérables School Edition to the Emmaus High School stage for the second time - 11 years after our first production,” Kuebler said. “The grand scope of this production has challenged all of us involved to approach it with the utmost focus and dedication.”