OLIVER!
Book, Music & Lyrics by Lionel Bart
Directed by Robert Jones, Music Direction by Diane Scott
Greenspace Center, 815 Market St, Lewisburg
SIX PERFORMANCES OVER TWO WEEKENDS!
Fridays, June 14 & 21, 2024 at 7:30pm
Saturdays, June 15 & 22 2024 at 7:30pm
Sundays, June 16 & 23, 2024 at 2:30pm
“Consider yourself at home” when RiverStage presents “OLIVER!“, the beloved musical masterpiece that has been delighting audiences around the world since its debut in 1960! Performances will be at Greenspace Center, 815 Market Street, Lewisburg on Friday and Saturday evenings at 7:30pm on June 14, 15, 21 and 22, and two Sunday matinees at 2:30pm on June 16 and 23. Tickets are $15 for adults and $8 for children, with general admission seating, and they can be purchased at the door or at www.riverstagetheatre.org.
With book, music and lyrics by Lionel Bart, Oliver! is the award-winning musical adaptation of the Dickens novel Oliver Twist, featuring some of the most memorable characters and songs ever to appear on the stage. The streets of Victorian England come to life as Oliver, a malnourished workhouse orphan, escapes to seek his fortune in London. After joining a gang of thieves led by the old man Fagin and the Artful Dodger, Oliver must avoid the villains of the London underworld while dreaming about finding a loving family that he can call his own. Featuring familiar songs like “Food, Glorious Food,” “Consider Yourself” “Pick a Pocket or Two,” and “As Long As He Needs Me,” this heartwarming musical adventure is fun for all ages. The Broadway and London productions won multiple Tony Awards and Laurence Olivier Awards, and the the 1965 film starring won six Academy Awards including Best Picture.
“It has been a great experience directing this show,” said director Robert Jones. “I know many people—including myself—who absolutely love Oliver! and have fond memories of working on other productions of it over the years, and so getting the chance to bring it to Lewisburg is such a treat. The story is fun and dramatic, the songs are great, and I’m so proud of the hard work that the cast and crew are putting in. The audience will have a great time!” Jove Graham, president of the RiverStage board, added, “We’ve talked about this show for years, so RiverStage is excited to be presenting it this summer—there are so many reasons to love this music and this story. We just can’t wait for the audience to see it live on stage!” Working with Jones, this production is music directed by Diane Scott, with choreography by Devin Dreese, costuming by Anne Griffin, set by Graham and Dennis Merkle, lighting by Cole Casimir, sound by Tom Simpson and Josh Wilkinson, props by Ashley Jackson, and stage management by Sara Jones.
The cast features 24 singers and actors of all ages, including some new faces and many of whom have been featured in musical productions across the Susquehanna Valley. Nolan Jusko, a Lewisburg eighth-grader, leads the cast as Oliver Twist, with Desirae Moore as Nancy, Jove Graham as Fagin, and Justin Moore as Bill Sykes. Oliver begins the story under the watchful eye of Mr. Bumble and the Widow Corney, played by Drew Rehrig and Kenna DeValor, respectively, and then Levi Shamblen, Ian Sterner, and Joyce Martin play the denizens of the funeral parlor where Oliver goes next. Eventually, he meets the streetwise Artful Dodger, played by Thomas Graham, who introduces him to the gang of pickpockets played by Reece Furgison, Bryce Leininger, Clara Graham, Amelia Briede, Harrison McDuffee, Elyse Isaacs and Jude Wilkinson. Other featured cast members include Madison Leininger (Bet), Kate Shaw (Mrs. Bedwin), Fred Hooper (Mr. Brownlow), and an ensemble of singers and dancers including Wendy Durant, Alaina Geesaman, Joseph Martin and Bethany Umholtz-Boyer.
Don’t miss out on the music, laughter and fun — purchase your tickets here today!