BRUNSWICK – Maine State Music Theatre will round out its 50th anniversary season with the epic musical “Les Misérables.” The acclaimed production, composed by Claude-Michel Schönberg with a libretto by Alain Boublil, will be presented Aug. 6-24 at Pickard Theater on the Bowdoin College campus.

Based on the 1862 Victor Hugo novel of the same name, “Les Misérables” recounts the life of Jean Valjean, a fugitive who is pitted against the tenacious Inspector Javert in a lifelong struggle to evade capture. This deeply personal tale, which follows the change in a man from sinner to saint, plays out against a historical backdrop of unparalleled scale as French students fight to free the oppressed lower class. Love for another and for one’s country, battle hatred and injustice result in both triumph and tragedy for those who wage the war.

The soundtrack is as noteworthy and spectacular as the story itself. The score, which has inspired 31 cast recordings and received two Grammy Awards, features such notable songs as “Bring Him Home,” “I Dreamed a Dream,” “Who Am I?,” “Master of the House,” “On My Own,” “Do You Hear the People Sing?,” and “One Day More.”

The double-hitter of story and score has made “Les Misérables” one of the most critically acclaimed and frequently performed musicals of all time. The musical has won more than 50 major theater awards and has been performed in 38 countries around the world.

Responding to the increased interest in the show, MSMT has added an extra performance – at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 17.

The production, directed by MSMT Artistic Director Charles Abbott, stars Dennis St. Pierre as Jean Valjean and Todd Alan Johnson as Javert. Both men have graced the MSMT stage in the past, with St. Pierre acting in this season’s “Jesus Christ Superstar” and “The Desert Song” and Johnson playing the title pair in 2003’s “Jekyll & Hyde.” MSMT newcomer Daniel Bogart, who played Marius in the national tour of “Les Misérables,” reprises the role this season on the Pickard Theater stage and is also assistant directing the musical.

Rounding out the principal cast are Amy Bodnar as Fantine, Caitlin Kelty-Huber as Cosette, Veronica J. Kuehn as Eponine, Ritter Hanz as Enjolras, and the duo of Stuart Marland and Charis Leos as the Thénardiers.

Tickets range from $29 to $51 and may be purchased by calling the box office at 725-8769 or by visiting www.msmt.org.