COEUR d’ALENE — Half a lifetime behind bars, just for stealing bread. 

This is when audiences meet a downtrodden Jean Valjean, the lead male role in “Les Misérables.” 

“I remember hearing my dad talk about what an iconic musical it was with my older brother and then discussing the story about a guy who steals a loaf of bread and goes to prison for life," Coeur d'Alene High School senior Nathan Ringger said before rehearsal Monday.

"It’s never not existed in my life as this iconic story that touches all corners of the human experience," he said. "It’s so legendary."

The Coeur d'Alene High School Theater Department's production of "Les Misérables" opens at 7 p.m. tonight.

Presented through a special arrangement with Musical Theatre International, the school edition of this beloved musical based on Victor Hugo's 1862 novel takes place in early 19th-century France — a time of upheaval, rebellion and hopelessness for the working class.

The story follows Nathan's Valjean after he is released from prison. He meets a host of characters along the way, including desperate mother Fantine, played by senior Mihret Washington.

"Les Mis" is celebrated for its soundtrack, with songs including "Do You Hear the People Sing" and "I Dreamed a Dream." The music spoke to Mihret when she saw a live production in Spokane a few years ago.

"Just listening to the soundtrack and seeing it at the INB (Performing Arts Center), I just knew I wanted to be a part of it,” she said. "It was fantastic."

"Les Misérables" translates to "the miserable ones" or "the poor ones" in French, a fitting description of the cast of characters that range from criminals and working girls to soldiers in the Napoleonic War. Its themes of poverty, struggle, heartache and never giving up hope can be understood by audiences of all ages.

"I do think it’s cool how these age-old stories continue to be relevant, over and over again, depending on what era,” Nathan said.

Mihret referred to the absurdist play “Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead."

“One of the lines they say is art is a mirror to life," she said. "I think that is just a fantastic way of this show.”

Both actors are looking forward to performing this timeless tale with their theater peers, many of whom they have worked with since early in their high school careers.

"Singing with each other and those really good harmonies, those three-parts, it’s just so moving in a different way," Mihret said. "Not only as your friendship, but it’s one more huzzah. It’s my senior year and I get to do it one more time with my friends.”

"What I find most exciting is ‘Les Mis’ has so many great parts," Nathan said. "To do that with my friends who I’ve worked with in a major way for so long, that’s really fantastic.”  

The show runs through May 3. Tickets begin at $14.82 online and can be purchased at chstheater.org.

Coeur d'Alene High is at 5530 N. Fourth St., Coeur d'Alene.

    Senior Liam Fitzgerald performs in one of two roles Monday during rehearsal for the Coeur d'Alene High School Theater Department's production of "Les Misérables." The show opens tonight and runs through May 3.
  

    Ensemble cast members perform during rehearsal Monday in preparation for the Coeur d'Alene High School production of "Les Misérables," opening at 7 tonight.