Army Community Theatre's 2008-09 season, beginning this fall, will tap a diverse musical slate — exploring British pickpockets, Chicago hoodlums, aspiring high school youths and even Adam and Eve.

The plays — two applauded classics, one youth-aimed newbie and the fourth with biblical implications — will be staged at Richardson Theatre at Fort Shafter.

The schedule:

• "Oliver!" a musical by Lionel Bart based on Charles Dickens' "Oliver Twist," on Sept. 4, 5, 6, 12, 13, 19 and 20. Set in London of the 1850s, the story is about an orphan (Oliver) who runs away from an orphanage and links with a group of mates trained by an elderly mentor (Fagin) to be pickpockets. The score includes such tunes as "Consider Yourself," "Who Will Buy," "Where Is Love?," and "As Long As He Needs Me." The show's "Please sir, I want more" has emerged as a memorable quote. Audition dates: July 7, 8 and 9.

• "High School Musical," the Disney musical based on the Disney Channel original film by Peter Barsocchini and a youth favorite from the get-go, Nov. 20, 21, 22, 28 and 29 and Dec. 5 and 6. Set during a winter break at East High School, the show focuses on Troy, a basketball player, and the academically-inclined Gabriella, who audition for a campus musical. Hits emerging from the score include "We're All in This Together," "Start of Something New" and "Breaking Free." Auditions: Sept. 8, 9, 10.

• "Chicago," the John Kander-Fred Ebb musical, with book by Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse, Feb. 26, 27, 28 and March 6. 7, 13 and 14. Set in Chicago of the 1920s, this razzle-dazzle tale of sin, corruption, and all that jazz, is particularly known for its idiosyncratic Fosse choreography and is as much a dancer's show as well as a singer's. Murdering chorus girl and headline-seeking celebrity criminals are part of the mobster fun and games. Remembered for such show-stoppers as "All That Jazz," "Cell Block Tango," "When You're Good to Mama," "Mr. Cellophane" and "Razzle, Dazzle." Not for young children. Auditions Dec. 1, 2, 3.

• "Children of Eden," a musical by Stephen Schwartz, with book by John Caird, May 7, 8, 9, 15, 16, 22 and 23. Loosely based on the Book of Genesis, this show focuses on the story of Adam and Eve, Cain and Abel and the tale of Noah, told in family-friendly manner without a specific religious perspective. It has been produced on the London stage but never on the Broadway scene. The score includes such tunes as "The Tree of Knowledge" and "Noah's Lullaby." Auditions: March 9, 10, 11.

ACT also presents a Sunday@2 Matinee Readers theater on the mainstage, in concert with the production under way. The schedule:

• "Dante's Inferno," Sept. 7, 14, 21.

• "Paradise Lost," Nov. 23, 30, Dec. 7.

• "God's Trombone," March 1, 8, 15.

• "Leaves of Grass," May 10, 17, 24.

Information: 438-4400, http://www.armytheatre.com.

Reach Wayne Harada at wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com.