The Acting Loft Academy of the Performing Arts will open their 2008/2009 season with the musical Oliver! at their performance studios located at 516 Pine Street in Manchester, NH.  Opening night is Friday, September 12^th at 7:30pm with additional performances on Sept. 13^th & 14^th and 19^th -21^st.  Performance times will be 7:30pm on Fridays and Saturdays and 2pm on Sundays.

Set in 1850's London and based on the classic Charles Dickens novel, Oliver! tells the story young Oliver Twist, a young orphan boy struggling to be happy and working in an orphanage run by the evil and tortuous Bumbles.  Running away and falling into a band of pickpockets led by the Artful Dodger and Fagin, Oliver travels the streets of London avoiding the police and criminals until he finds his true family. 

Filled with classic musical theatre songs including; Where is Love, Consider Yourself, and As Long As He Needs Me, Oliver! features a cast of over 40 talented performers from all over the state. 

Oliver! is part of the Acting Loft's Mainstage series which performs full-scale musical productions for the entire family using live musicians as well as complete sets and costumes.  Oliver! is being directed by Ozan Haksever and produced by William L. Ritchie Jr.

Seating is reserved and tickets to Oliver! can be purchased in advance by call The Acting Loft box office at 666-5999.   Musical selections providing a sneak preview of the show can be seen at the Manchester City Library, Saturday, Sept. 6^th from 12:00 -12:30pm, the InTown Manchester Trolley Tour, Thursday, September 18^th from 5-7pm and the Macy's Shop For A Cause event Saturday, September 20^th from 11:30 – 12:15pm