The Playhouse Merced Conservatory is proud to present Oliver! Jr. a lively, family-friendly musical adaptation of the beloved Charles Dickens classic.
Featuring a talented cast of young performers, this production opening May 1 marks a meaningful return for the Conservatory, which is thrilled to bring the show to audiences after it was placed on hiatus this past fall.
Directed by Rose Pino, with music direction by Sharry Pino and choreography by Sal Lopez, Oliver! Jr. follows
the journey of young Oliver Twist as he navigates the challenges of 19th-century London, encountering colorful characters like the Artful Dodger, Fagin and Nancy along the way.
With memorable songs such as “Food, Glorious Food,” “Consider Yourself,” and “Where Is Love?”, audiences of all ages will be entertained and moved by this enduring story.
“This production represents resilience in so many way, both in the story we’re telling and in the journey to bring it back to the stage,” said Pino. “We’re incredibly proud of our students for their dedication and excited to
finally share this show with our community.”
The Playhouse Merced Conservatory is dedicated to providing high-quality arts education and performance opportunities for young people in the Central Valley. Through productions like Oliver! Jr., students gain hands-
on experience in acting, singing and dancing while working in a supportive and collaborative environment.
“Bringing Oliver! Jr. back after its hiatus makes this production especially meaningful for everyone involved,”
said Playhouse Merced Interim Executive Director RC Essig. “It’s a celebration of perseverance, creativity and
the power of live theater in our community.”
“Oliver! Jr.” opens at Playhouse Merced on Friday, May 1 and runs for two weeks. Show times are 7:30 p.m.
on Fridays and Saturdays, and 2 p.m. on Sundays.
To purchase tickets and to learn more about Playhouse Merced’s conservatory program, visit playhousemerced.com.
About The Conservatory
The Playhouse Merced Conservatory provides arts education and performance opportunities for youth in the
Central Valley. Through classes, workshops and productions, the Conservatory fosters creativity, confidence
and a lifelong appreciation for the performing arts.