Songs, glorious songs! Get a look at New York City Center Encores!' upcoming production of Lionel Bart's Oliver!, set to run May 3-14. The musical is led by Benjamin Pajak as Oliver and also stars Lilli Cooper, Raúl Esparza, and Tam Mutu. The cast gathered in the studio at City Center to perform two songs from the show: "Consider Yourself" and "Where Is Love?."

Watch Pajak sing Oliver's moving ballad "Where Is Love?" in the video above, where the young actor was so overcome that he started tearing up (and was subsequently comforted by director Lear deBessonet).

Based on the Charles Dickens classic novel Oliver Twist, the musical follows the story of orphan Oliver, who escapes the orphanage to the streets of Victorian London. Outside, he meets Fagin, the Artful Dodger, and a band of child pickpockets. The score includes such favorites as “Where Is Love?,” “Food! Glorious Food!,” and “As Long As He Needs Me.” Oliver! will be helmed by Encores! Artistic Director deBessonet (who also directed Into the Woods at City Center last year, which subsequently transferred to Broadway).

See Julian Lerner's Artful Dodger, Pajak, and the cast of OIiver! perform "Consider Yourself" below.

The company also features Julian Lerner, Brad Oscar, Thom Sesma, Michael Siberry, Mary Testa, Michael Cash, William Thomas Colin, Kaitlyn Davidson, Julian Marcus DeGuzman, Zachary Downer, Sam Duncan, William Foon, Ethen Green-Younger, Jeff Kready, Nina LaFarga, Jenny Laroche, Gavin Lee, Devin Miles Lugo, Morgan Marcell, Dario Natarelli, Adam Roberts, Lindsay Roberts, Eliseo Roman, Sir Brock Warren, and Jacob Keith Watson.

See photos of the cast and creative team below. 

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See the Cast of Oliver! at New York City Center in Rehearsals

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Presented by special arrangement with Cameron Mackintosh, the limited engagement of Oliver! will have a concert adaptation by Deborah Stein. The creative team also includes production consultant Alisa Solomon, scenic designer David Rockwell, costume designer Sarafina Bush, lighting designer Justin Townsend, sound designer Alex Neumann, dialect coach Ben Furey, music coordinator Kimberlee Wertz, and music director Mary-Mitchell Campbell.

Casting is by The Telsey Office. The Encores Orchestra will play the orchestrations of William David Brohn, originally written for the work's 1994 West End revival.

The 2023 Encores! season opened earlier this season with Dear World starring Donna Murphy. The season will conclude with The Light in the Piazza starring Ruthie Ann Miles June 21–25.

This production of Oliver! is licensed by Music Theatre International.

Visit NYCityCenter.org.