Craving relief from the searing Southwest?

Take a trip to 19th century Europe as youth performers from Gilbert and across the East Valley bring two classic stories to life in “Oliver, Jr.” and “Les Misérables School Edition,” on stage at the Mesa Arts Center Aug. 4-13. Both shows are produced by Limelight Performing Arts, a Gilbert-based youth theater company.

“Oliver, Jr.,” the musical adaptation of Charles Dickens’ “Oliver Twist,” is the story of a boy journeying through the underbelly of Victorian England to find a home, a family and love.

When Oliver famously dares ask for more food at his neglectful orphanage, he is sold as an apprentice to an abusive undertaker. Oliver escapes to live on the streets where he’s welcomed by the Artful Dodger into a gang of child pickpockets run by the cunning, charismatic, elderly Fagin.

Accused of a crime he didn’t commit, Oliver is rescued by a kind-hearted gentleman, upsetting Fagin’s brutal sidekick, Bill Sikes. Bill’s sympathetic girlfriend retrieves Oliver from his rescuer with disastrous results.

With so many forces at play, can Oliver find the home he so desperately seeks?

Limelight’s cast sings spirited musical favorites such as “Food, Glorious Food,” “As Long as He Needs Me” and “Consider Yourself” for this summer production.

“Oliver, Jr.” is directed and choreographed by Marie South of Queen Creek with music direction by Limelight’s artistic director, Emma England, of Gilbert.

The show is double cast. Gilbert performers include Ava Chiappetta, 14, as Widow Corney and Mrs. Sowerberry; Ashton Churchill, 16, as Fagin; Lincoln Ickler, 17, as Bill Sikes; Kali Kappes, 8, as Nipper; Maeli Kemp, 12, as Bet; Farrah McArthur, 11, as Oliver; Dominic Montufar, 7, as Charlie Bates; Gabriela Montufar, 9, as Oliver; Ellie Nevels, 15, as Old Sally; Addison Roundy, 13, as Bet; Connelly Roundy, 15, as Mr. Brownlow and Mr. Sowerberry; and Kaitlyn Woodward, 17, as Nancy.

Many of these same youth are also performing in Limelight’s production of “Les Misérables School Edition,” the musical adaptation of Victor Hugo's masterpiece that transports audiences to a world where love triumphs over adversity.

Set in the turbulent time period of post-revolutionary France where societal divisions run deep, even the most tortured souls dream of a better future. At the heart of the tale is Jean Valjean, an ex-convict determined to break free from his troubled past and create a new life.

When Valjean crosses paths with Fantine, a factory worker fallen into destitution, he promises to care for her young daughter, Cosette, and rescues her from the clutches of the unscrupulous innkeepers, the Thénardiers.

Years later, in Paris, a group of passionate students rise up against the oppressive regime. Among them is Marius, who falls deeply in love with Cosette, their love story unfolding against the backdrop of the June Rebellion of 1832.

Throughout his travels, Valjean is relentlessly pursued by Inspector Javert, who seeks to bring Valjean to justice. In their final confrontation, the values of love and justice are pitted against each other, each man reaping what he has sowed.

“‘Les Mis’ has time jumps where characters age in the show, so they have a significant change in character and perspective as the story progresses,” said Christian Graca, the show’s director.

A powerful score also moves the story forward, with beloved songs including “I Dreamed a Dream,” “Bring Him Home” and the rousing anthem of revolution, "Do You Hear the People Sing?"

“As an operetta, the show, with very limited exception, is sung in its entirety, which brings a whole new level of complexity to the production and raises the bar for performers to achieve,” Graca said.

Limelight’s production of “Les Mis,” which also is double cast, is directed by Graca with music direction by Tom Graca and England and choreography by England and South.

Gilbert performers include Ava Chiappetta, 14, as Madame Thénardier; Jordan Gingell, 18, as Javert; Nathan Gingell, 21, as Bishop of Digne and Combeferre; Lincoln Ickler, 17, as Enjolras; Peyton Kuehn, 16, as Chain Gang and Lesgles; Ellie Nevels, 15, as Factory Worker and Lovely Lady; Emily Scanio, 8, as Little Cosette; Kaitlyn Woodward, 17, as Old Woman and Grantaire; and Meredith Woodward, 19, as Fantine.

South shared her excitement for these shows to open so her young performers can have an audience.

“These kids love spending time together at rehearsals," she said. "You can tell they enjoy working with each other, and that comes out in performances.”

With the storylines and dramatic action interspersed with the songs and dances, South believes audiences will love the shows.

“The shows will make you forget you’re watching youth theater,” she said. “The kids work so hard to be as professional as possible. I think audiences will walk away feeling good and singing the songs on the car ride home."

She expects young people to enjoy these shows as well.

“So often, I think that kids only know modern shows and don’t have an interest in anything they could classify as old,” she said. “Many of the performers have told me that they knew nothing about ‘Oliver’ before this process, but they have really come to enjoy it. I love getting to expose the kids and audiences to a show that you don’t often see.”

Tickets for “Oliver, Jr.” and “Les Misérables School Edition” start at $21 and can be purchased at mesaartscenter.com, search “Limelight.” The run includes both matinee and evening performances. Group discounts are available.