OLIVER! gets a community staging in Toronto

The Yorkminstrels present Oliver, Lionel Bart's musical adaptation of Charles Dickens' Oliver Twist, at Leah Posluns Theatre from April 22 to 30.

The production is led by artistic director Sara Kitz, musical director Keith Bohlender and choreographer Chris Stanois. A cast of 35 bring to life the adventures of Oliver Twist, a young orphan boy who escapes to the streets of London and is taken in by a gang of child pickpockets working under the tutelage of master thief, Fagin. A portion of the ticket sales will be donated to the North York Women's Shelter. Audience members are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item for the North York Harvest Food Bank.

Leah Posluns Theatre is at 4588 Bathurst St., north of Sheppard Avenue in the Bathurst Jewish Community Centre. Show times on April 22 and 27 to 29 at 8 p.m. On April 23 and 29 and 30 show time is 2 p.m. Tickets are $28.50 for adults, $23.50 for seniors, $21 for students and groups of 20 or more pay $23.50 each. They can be purchased at The Yorkminstrels box office at 416-291-0600 or online at www.yorkminstrels.com.