Oliver! is a British musical, with script, music and lyrics by Lionel Bart. The musical is based upon the novel Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens. It premiered in the West End in 1960, enjoying a long run, a successful Broadway production in 1963 and further tours and revivals. It was made into a musical film in 1968. Major London revivals played from 1994-1998 and again from 2008-2011. [pullquote align=”right”]”We don’t sugar coat this story. Characters die and are faced with a brutal life and to some degree we depict that on stage. While this is not an R rated show, the incredibly difficult lives lived by people like Oliver and Nancy are evident in the show.” -Director Peter-John Sligting[/pullquote]

Bringing vividly to life Dickens’ timeless characters with its ever-popular story of the boy who asked for more, Lionel Bart’s sensational score includes:

• Food Glorious Food
• Consider Yourself
• You’ve Got to Pick-a-Pocket or Two
• I’d Do Anything
• Oom Pah Pah
• As Long As He Needs Me and many more.

  

Oliver! Comes to Huntsville

This timeless tale and classic musical will be brought to life by Huntsville’s very own Independent Musical Productions. under the artistic direction of Vivienne Atkins and Peter-John Sligting, the music direction of Barry Petty and the technical direction of Karl King. For anyone in the know about Huntsville community theatre…this is a dream team of directors!

NOT TO MENTION….this will be the first show to grace the stage of the amazing new Lee Lyric Theatre at the brand new Lee High School.  That alone should pull in a few curious spectators!  Rumor has it that the theatre is beyond wonderful and personally I can’t wait to see what this team of directors has in store for us on this new stage!

Director’s Insight

When I  sat down and spoke with Peter-John about the show he had the following things to say:

Me: Why Oliver!?
PJ: Oliver is one of my favorite shows. It has wonderfully enjoyable and memorable music, coupled with an extremely powerful and sometimes harshly dramatic script, which is not always there in a classic musical. It shows how life really was in those times for the underprivileged. And of course the story is a classic. The story is an icon in British literature. One everyone needs to know.

Me: With all the new musicals available do you think Oliver! is still relevant?
PJ: I don’t think that musicals ever lose relevancy. In my eyes the entertainment value of a musical is timeless, even if it deals with dated material. History is important. In fact, I’d even go so far as to say while new musicals are wonderful and truly amazing and encompass incredible new ideas…  There is an unexplainable magic that is felt in watching older shows. Ask any broadway enthusiast.

Me: What can people expect?
PJ: A great show. One note is… We don’t sugar coat this story. Characters die and are faced with a brutal life and to some degree we depict that on stage. While this is not an R rated show… the brutality of the period, and the incredibly difficult lives lived by people like Oliver and Nancy are evident in the show.

Me: What is your favorite number?
PJ: I’d do Anything! It’s just a great tune!

Rehearsal

I had the pleasure of sitting in on a rehearsal this week and I was blown away!  The voices, the choreography, the sheer talent in the room was overwhelming. This is a show you do not want to miss!  During a break I was able to talk to a few members of the cast.

Keegan Butler is no stranger to the stages of Huntsville and joins Oliver! as part of the ensemble while on his summer break from the University of Alabama. When I asked Keegan “What is your favorite part of the show?” he laughed and said “kissing Taylor King!”  There is a reason college boys do theatre!

A Chat with Oliver himself

I also had a chance to chat with “Oliver” himself.  Duncan Smith is a 10 year old rising 5th grader at Jones Valley Elementary School and is spending his summer as the lonely workhouse orphan, a far cry from his real life.  Duncan was more than happy to indulge me by having a little Q and A session.

Me: Why did you audition for Oliver!?
Duncan: I thought it would be a fun way to spend the summer and a fun opportunity to work on a great show.

Me:  What did you think when you got the call to not only be in the show but to be OLIVER in Oliver!?
Duncan:  WOW!  I didn’t know what to think at first. I would have been just excited to be in the show and working with IMP because I had never done anything with them before but I just didn’t know what to think about being Oliver except WOW and I was a little bit nervous.

Me: Who has been the most fun to work with?
Duncan:  The whole cast has been fun.

Me:  Which song from the show is your favorite?
Duncan: Consider Yourself because it is so much fun and there are so many people on stage working together.

Me: What will you miss the most when the show closes?
Duncan:  Everything. I love all the people and all the work.

Me:  Why should people come out to see the show?
Duncan:  It is really great!  We have worked hard to do a great show and it is in a brand new theater.

I couldn’t have said it better myself!  It is going to be a phenomenal show.  I know I am not going to miss it and with a little help from our friends at IMP…you can make sure you don’t miss it either!  OVE and IMP are giving away ……….

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a Rafflecopter giveaway

Event Details

Date and Times:
June 15, 16, 21, 22, 23 at 7:30pm
June 17 at 2:30pm
Cost: Adult $25, Student/Senior/Military $23, Children (12 and under) $15. Click here to purchase.
Location: Lee Lyric Theatre