In “Les Miserables,” Jean Valjean finds that out the hard way. Even after he finds his footing and begins doing good in the world, he is pursued relentlessly by a hard-nosed cop named Javert who doesn’t believe Valjean is capable of being a good citizen.

The story of Valjean, Javert and various others they encounter will play out on a local stage as Fort Dodge Senior High School presents “Les Miserables” as its spring musical.

The musical will be performed Thursday through Saturday at Fort Dodge Middle School, 800 N. 32nd St.

“Last spring after ‘Footloose ‘ closed, I looked at Mr. Drees and said “You know what we should do next year? “Les Miserables,” said Lindey Krug, the musical theatrical director at the senior high.

She and Matt Drees, the school’s choir director, are the two lead faculty members working on the musical.

“We discussed it off and on over the summer and into the fall, looking at other options as well,” Krug said. “In the end, we kept coming back to this show. We knew we had the right kids to pull this off.”

There are 48 students in the cast, with some playing multiple roles.

Aaron Amhof plays Valjean with Mikeal Campbell as his nemesis, Javert.

Grace Casciato plays Fantine, while Owen Hamlow portrays the bishop of Digne who spares Valjean from arrest and sets him on the path of doing good.

“Les Miserables” is based on an 1862 novel of the same name by Victor Hugo.

If You Go

What: Fort Dodge Senior High Spring Musical

“Les Miserables”

When: 7 p.m. Thursday

7 p.m. Friday and

2 p.m. Saturday

Where: Fort Dodge Middle School

800 N. 32nd St.

The main cast of ‘Les Miserables’

Aaron Amhof as Jean Valjean

Mikeal Campbell as Javert

Grace Casciato as Fantine

Reese Pederson as Cosette

Ryan Madden as Marius

Abby Meyer as Eponine

Braydon Schmieder as Thenardier

Gabby Schumacher as Madm. Thenardier

Michael Wagner as Enjolras

Corban McHone as Gavroche

Owen Hamlow as the Bishop of Digne

Gretta Pratt as young Cosette

Harper Lampe as young Eponine