BOUNTIFUL ó If you shoot for the stars, even the stuff that doesnít quite make it ends up somewhere in the heavens. When a high school decides to take on a weighty Broadway classic like ìLes Miserables,î some might find themselves skeptical as to whether they can pull it off. But in Bountiful Highís current production, which runs tonight (Sept. 30) as well as several dates Oct. 2-13, there are plenty of on-the-spot elements and even some heart-stirring moments. ##M:MORE##

First, though, a note before going in. This is the high school edition of the play, with certain connective scenes taken out for the sake of time. The cuts do nothing to interrupt the story, but some fans of the Broadway version may notice the scenes that are missing.

Still, all of the classic elements are very much in place. The set is perfectly minimal, allowing the focus to remain completely on the characters. A color screen in the back changes color according to the sceneís mood, highlighting the emotion of a given moment.

And, like any good production of ìLes Miserablesîí thereís an entire sea of emotion to follow. Javert, the police inspector who spends the entire production chasing the hero Jean Valjean, is played by Alma Smoot with exactly the right amount of hard-edged adherence to the rules. Itís clear from the first time he speaks, with every word sounding like the official pronouncement he believes it to be.

On the other side is Fantine, who is doomed to die young but affects the rest of Valjeanís life. Played by Bretleigh Sandorf, this Fantine has a still-hopeful fragility that makes the loss of her dreams seem all the more heartbreaking.

Itís heartbreak that adds beauty to another moment later in the production, this one solely in the hands of Jaclyn Griffinís Eponine. When she sings ìOn My Own,î the loneliness is almost palpable, and the stage vanishes as the audience gets swept away in her sorrow.

Tickets are $5 in advance ($8 at the door) and can be purchased either at Top Hat Video and DVD or at the BHS main office. For more information, please call 402-3900.