Oliver!

Oliver!, the musical adaptation of Charles Dickens’ classic novel Oliver Twist, has remained immensely popular on both sides of the Atlantic since its birth in 1960. Beloved for its colorful depiction of the hardscrabble, often wretched life of orphan children in mid-19th century London, the play follows the story of young Oliver Twist, the irresistibly innocent waif whose optimism carries him through encounters with violence and crime to ultimate triumph over the dark forces surrounding him. Seventy-one children are featured in the Dickensian rogue’s gallery of characters; they are accompanied by a ten-piece live orchestra composed of young musicians from across San Diego County.