BRUNSWICK — A cast of 28 actors portray 70 characters in The Theater Project’s adaptation of “Les Miserables,” opening March 15.

The Theater Project’s version, adapted by director Al Miller, “is a rendering of Victor Hugo’s novel without music, although the story itself still sings, 151 years after it was first published,” notes a news release.

“In adapting the novel, which runs over 1,200 pages, I wanted to include the major characters and their evolution as the story progresses. Hugo, like Dickens, starts with a few characters, adds more in other locations, and by the time the story ends, manages to connect them all,” Miller said.

Miller added that the production will have music, but is not a musical. Long time music and sound collaborator, Jim Hall, will support the action with a sound design that will include music linking events and supporting the mood.

“There is a singer,” Miller added. “A wonderful young character named Gavroche who sings improvised lyrics at the barricades.”

Playing lead roles are Jesse Leighton, Carrie Bell-Hoerth and Seth Berner from Portland (Bell-Hoerth grew up in Bath and attended Morse High School); Kevin Calderwood and Bethany Joy Burrill, Theater Project alumni; Meghan McGuire and Liz Washington from the theater’s Young Company, and Shawn Bayrd, all students at Brunswick High School; and Maggie Adolf, a student at Harriet Beecher Stowe School.

“Everyone is on stage a lot of the time,” Miller said, “and most play more than one part.”

“Les Miserables” is an exciting story — a love story, a story of revolution, abuse of power and redemption. Miller summed up his thoughts: “I am impressed by how topical the story is and yet how universal. The abuse of power, youthful and familial love, urge for political change and the effects of poverty, all major motifs in Hugo’s novel about 19th century France, are still with us. However, more than anything, this is an exciting story that stands on its own. One need not be a historian or sociologist to be attracted to it.”

The production runs Fridays and Saturdays, March 15, 16, 22 and 23, at 7:30 p.m., and Sundays, March 17 and 24 at 2 p.m.

The Theater Project is located at 14 School St. All tickets are pay-what-youwant, and are available online at www.theaterproject.com, or by calling the box office at 729-8584.