A dream came true for Select Choir students at Watertown High School last year when it was announced this spring's musical production would be "Les Misérables."

Jump forward to a week ago. Vaughn Butler, as Fantine, stood at rehearsal on the WHS stage singing one of the play's signature songs, "I Dreamed a Dream." Its words could capture the youthful spirit at any high school:

"Then I was young and unafraid/

And dreams were made and used/

and wasted"

At the end there was applause from the small rehearsal crowd.

"Nice job," director Russell J. Faunce said quietly from behind the piano.

The students involved in the production realize they have been handed an opportunity to stage perhaps the most famous show in Broadway history. The tale of love, courage and redemption is demanding, but they are determined not to waste this particular dream.

"I think this is the most difficult production I've ever done," said Mr. Faunce. "The story is interwoven through the music. I wasn't abundantly familiar with it. When I first started, I was overwhelmed. It's so dark and heavy."

The director is used to more dancing and revelry in his shows. "It really isn't a Russ Faunce show," he said.

"Les Misérables" became the world's longest-running musical in 2006. It's based on the 1862 Victor Hugo novel with music by Claude-Michel Schonberg and lyrics by Herbert Kretzmer. It opened in London in 1985 and on Broadway in 1987. The latest Broadway revival closed on Jan. 6. Total Broadway performances were 7,176 shows, according to broadway.com. It continues to be performed at London's Queen's Theatre.

The licensing agency Music Theatre International made a school edition available in 2003.

It opens with a chain gang in Toulon, France, in 1815, with focus on Jean Valjean, who was imprisoned for stealing a loaf of bread. His parole is about to begin but inspector Javert tells him to watch his step in the future.

Years pass, with Valjean taking on a new identity and promising to care for Fantine's daughter, Cosette. Scenes switch to the streets of Paris of 1832, where students launch a revolt against the Orleanist Monarchy. Mixed in with all of this is a love triangle involving the idealistic student, Marius, played by senior Gregory W. Kaskan, and Eponine, played by senior Kate E. Comet, and Cosette, played by senior Theresa R. Ashford.

Miss Comet said hers is a "dream role," something that was evident when it was announced "Les Misérables" would be presented at the school.

"Oh my God, I shouted!" Miss Comet said. "They probably heard me down in the science wing."

"We've spent too much time on this musical to have it less than anything but the best you can make it," Mr. Faunce told the cast at the beginning of a recent rehearsal. "It's details that's going to make it happen."

If this rehearsal night was any indication, those details are falling into place. Mr. Faunce had few complaints besides such things as missing hats, props not taken away properly and absent rope-pulling actors who power the production's revolving 20-foot-diameter staging platform.

"The kids, from the day I announced I was going to put the show on, have been really into it," Mr. Faunce said earlier.

He said they've been buying the music, watching the movie versions and reading the book.

Three students from Harold T. Wiley Elementary School have parts in the production: fifth grader David VanEenenaam plays Gavroche; sixth-grader Kathryn J. Harrienger plays the young Cosette; and fifth-grader Livia G. Harrienger is the young Eponine.

"I was really excited when they announced it," said sophomore Mark P. Harrienger, who plays Javert, the inspector and antagonist against the play's hero, Jean Valjean.

Mr. Harrienger said he's inspired by a message of the show.

"It's a Godly musical," Mr. Harrienger said. "The person who saves Valjean is the bishop. No matter what he did, God is always there for him."

"It's the whole French struggle against tyranny," said junior José E. Itara, who plays Grantaire, a student.

But besides the story line, it's the singing that powers the story along.

"It's an especially good show for singers," said Mr. Kaskan. "There's a lot of high-intensity singing parts. It gives a lot of people a chance to shine."

"It's the most challenging role I've ever done vocally," said junior Stephen Hirst, who plays Valjean. "But it's a part I really wanted and worked hard for."

Mr. Hirst thinks audiences will appreciate the students' efforts.

"I want people to come out on the first night and say, 'Wow, that was amazing! I have to tell people about this and get people to come.'"