Based on the novel Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens, Oliver follows the story of the title character, a young orphan in Victorian England. Oliver is sold after asking for seconds of the meager portion of gruel the boys receive daily at the workhouse. He eventually escapes to London where Fagin, the "caretaker" of a ring of boy thieves, takes the lad in. The young Artful Dodger, who helps to teach the ways of pickpocketing, and Nancy, a local barmaid, befriend Oliver. When the boy is falsely arrested and then housed by a wealthy gentleman, the criminals worry that their game is in jeopardy. The violent thief Bill Sikes has the most to lose, and sets out to ensure Oliver doesn't divulge their secrets.

Oliver debuted in London in 1960 and made its way to Broadway in 1963. Lionel Bart wrote the book, music and lyrics, a triple-threat feat rarely seen today for successful musicals. The score is one of the best of the 1960s, with many now classic songs, with the music being generally stronger than the lyrics. From the opening "Food, Glorious Food", in which the orphans fantasize of eating something besides gruel, and continuing throughout the show, the music is first rate. Whether they are rousing and jaunty group comedy numbers ("Consider Yourself", "You've Got To Pick -A-Pocket Or Two," I'd Do Anything"), witty charm songs ("Reviewing the Situation") or sweet ballads ("Where Is Love?," "As Long As He Needs Me," "Who Will Buy"), the tunes carry the load of the show.