Puttin' on Productions Brings Broadway to the South Bay with Lionel Bart's OLIVER!

Leading theatrical group Puttin' on Productions (POPs) produces musical theater experiences featuring top young actors in professional level productions for all ages. This August, POPs proudly presents the musical theater classic, Lionel Bart's Oliver! based on the beloved Charles Dickens' novel Oliver Twist. This award-winning, family favorite includes timeless hits "Food, Glorious Food" and "As Long as He Needs Me." Oliver! promises to take audiences through an uplifting and powerful adventure through Victorian England for eight performances only, starting August 4th at the Centinela Valley Cultural Arts Center.

"We're thrilled to be bringing the family classic Oliver! to the South Bay under the direction and guidance of a very powerful creative team. This timeless tale of an orphan navigating through extreme hardship with the utmost optimism and heart will give the gift of theatrical delight and imagination for all," says Julia Hayes Mirkovich, Co-Founder of POPs. Oliver! features a first rate creative team with direction by the talented Jeff Cason (Spelling Bee), choreography by Hazel Clarke (Chorus Line), musical direction by the award-winning Steven Applegate and a cast of incredible youth talent including Young Artist Award-winning Bradley Bundlie (Beauty and the Beast) as Oliver.

Oliver! will run for 8 performances, August 4-6 and August 11-13 for the general public, plus the August 10th show for underserved youth, and features a large cast and full orchestra in the state of the art, 1200-seat theater at the Centinela Valley Cultural Arts Center.

On Thursday, August 10th at 10:00am, POPs will host 1,000 underserved youth for a free performance of Oliver! and experience first hand the magic of theatre.

"At POPs we believe that by opening doors for youth through musical theater, they will build the confidence and skills needed to explore opportunities for a brighter future," says Mark Mirkovich, Co-Founder of POPs. With the generosity of sponsors including Manhattan Beach Toyota, Fresh Brothers, Poets Road, and others, children attending will not only get to see the performance, but meet the actors with a Q&A. "We are so grateful to local businesses who are supporting the arts and this special day for hundreds of kids who would not normally get to experience a live musical show."

"The impact of live theatre on at-risk youth has positive long-term impact. Behavioral Experts agree that after attending live theatre, youth are more focused and able to concentrate longer. They want to explore more of the world they live in, and discover the arts. Their confidence, motivation and goals become significantly enhanced," says Jill Gurr, Executive Director and Founder of Create Now, a non-profit that serves high-risk youth throughout Los Angeles.

For more information on becoming a sponsor for POPs' August 10th performance for kids in need, please contact Mark at mark@puttinonproductions.com.

Tickets may be purchased online at www.popsonstage.com. Centinela Valley Cultural Arts Center is located at 14901 South Inglewood Ave., Lawndale, CA 90260 (corner of Marine & Inglewood - one block north of the 405 fwy). For more information, call (310) 546-5544.

About Puttin' on Productions (POPS)

POPs is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation based in the South Bay and dedicated to creating a magical place where children can learn valuable life skills through the musical theater production process. POPs trains and educates youth in the performing arts, teaches the importance of community and cultivates confident leadership within their students.

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