Take a trip to 19th century Europe as youth performers from Tempe and across the east Valley bring two classic stories to life in Limelight Performing Arts’ productions of “Oliver, Jr.” and “Les Misérables School Edition,” on stage at the Mesa Arts Center Aug. 4-13.

“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 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 Sykes. Bill’s sympathetic girlfriend retrieves Oliver from his rescuer with disastrous results.

With Limelight’s exceptional cast singing spirited, musical favorites such as “Food, Glorious Food,” “As Long as He Needs Me” and “Consider Yourself,” this summer production of “Oliver, Jr.” is one you won’t want to miss.

The show is directed and choreographed by Marie South of Queen Creek with music direction by Limelight’s artistic director, Emma England of Gilbert.

The production features two Tempe performers: Rachel Buckwalter, 11, plays Charlotte, while Andrew McGuire, 12, plays Handwalker.

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

Buckwalter is little Cosette and McGuire plays both Gavroche and Major Domo. Andrew McGuire’s older brother, 16-year-old James McGuire, also is in the show, performing the roles of Foreman, Feuilly and Bamatabois.

Andrew McGuire stars as Gavroche and Major Domo in Limelight’s production of “Les Misérables School Edition.”

Alongside the McGuires in “Les Mis,” another Tempe resident, Rachel Buckwalter, stars as Little Cosette.

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(Courtesy Sam Weid)

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 cherished 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,” said Graca.

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

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. You can tell they enjoy working with each other and that comes out in performances,” she said.

With compelling storylines and so much dramatic action interspersed with well-loved 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 said.

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.