Stage Right's second annual All-County Musical will begin a three-day run Monday at Greensburg's Palace Theatre.

The cast will have 96 members drawn from 14 Westmoreland County school districts as well as Catholic schools and home-schooled students.

The first All-County Musical, a production of "Disney's High School Musical," was so successful, said Stage Right artistic director Anthony Marino, that he knew it was the start of something big.

"And this year's show is twice as big, in every way."

Looking for a show to challenge students he called "the best of the best" of local high school performers, Mr. Marino chose the school edition of "Les Miserables," a story of love and honor set during the French Revolution.

Renata Marino, show choreographer and Stage Right education director, noted that "Les Miz" -- while phenomenally popular -- is not an easy show.

"It's basically opera, where all the dialogue is sung," she noted. "And the music is very difficult, even for adult performers."

But she and Mr. Marino noted the cast has taken the show in stride, a feat all the more remarkable considering it had only three weeks of rehearsal in which to learn it.

"We stick to a professional-style rehearsal schedule," she said, "where a typical high school musical will rehearse for months. But these kids want to be challenged. And when you see them perform, it's like they've been doing it for ages."

Another way this year's show is bigger, said Mr. Marino, is in the way it's funded -- with the help of a $25,000 grant from the Hot Topic foundation. That California-based chain of youth clothing stores operates a foundation that supports young people's involvement in the arts.

"They loved the concept of bringing kids together to create something in a way usually reserved for all-star athletes," Ms. Marino said of the foundation representatives.

Although the musical would have gone on without the grant, said Ms. Marino, the funds have allowed them to rent professional-quality sets and costumes, "which the kids deserve."

As with the Broadway version, "we've got the 20-foot revolving stage, and a giant barricade for the barricade scene," she said, adding that Stage Right was able to hire a large professional orchestra to support the students' performances.

Another addition to this year's musical is the participation of about 20 middle school pupils, from grades 6 through 8. Ms. Marino said "the high schoolers have been mentoring the younger kids, and it's amazing to see how they've blossomed."

Jean Valjean will be played by Saltsburg's Sean Brannon Monday and Tuesday night and Geibel Catholic's David Mahokey on Wednesday.

Cosette will be played by Franklin Regional's Priya Iyer Monday; Connellsville Area's Chelsea Ritenour Tuesday night; and Greensburg Salem's Marissa Auer Wednesday.

Fontine will be played by Hempfield's Eryn Burquist Monday and Wednesday and Greensburg Central Catholic's Mia Parillo Tuesday night.

Eponine will be played by Greensburg Salem's Megan Doran Monday, Penn-Trafford's Kaelynn Labra Tuesday night and Derry Area's Samantha Smithley Wednesday.

Brendan Duffy, of Greensburg Central Catholic, will play Javert in all performances.