OAKDALE — Poverty, greed, the seething unmentionable sides of humanity — no, it’s not the latest salacious Hollywood headline — it’s the delicious complexity layered into the adaptation of Charles Dickens’ classic, Oliver Twist and it’s coming to Oakdale’s stage, Aug. 19-Sept.3.

Tickets are available for purchase for $13 each at Oak Valley Jewelers.

“Oliver!” is the story of a young orphan in 19th century London, written by Lionel Bart, based on Charles Dickens’ Oliver Twist. After breaking the cardinal rule of asking for more food, Oliver is forced to leave the workhouse orphanage he grew up in and begins his search for a true home and family. He meets a boy known as The Artful Dodger and finds lodging with a group of young pickpockets under the tutelage of Fagin, a life-long thief. They teach Oliver the art and fun of making a living on the streets as they sing “Pick A Pocket,” and he is introduced to Nancy, a local tavern-maid with a heart of gold, and Bill, a villainous thief. Oliver’s inexperience as a pickpocket changes his course yet again, and his adventures continue as Nancy tries to help him, Bill tries to stop him, and Fagin tries to simply make a profit. “Oliver!” includes some of the most beautiful and recognizable songs of musical history, including: “Consider Yourself,” “Who Will Buy?,” “As Long as He Needs Me,” and “Where is Love.” The movie version won an Academy Award for Best Picture in 1967.

The 80-plus cast members have three costume changes each.

The Oakdale Community Theatre group has a website at www.oakdalecommunitytheatre.com and a Facebook fan page.