WRVP To Present Musical ‘Oliver!’

WRVP To Present Musical ‘Oliver!’

The White River Valley Players, now celebrating their 30^th year, will present the musical “Oliver!” this spring. Performances will take place at the Rochester High School auditorium Friday and Saturday, April 24 and 25 and Friday and Saturday, May 1 and 2 at 7:30 p.m., with Sunday matinees on April 26 and May 3 at 2 p.m.

The original show was a big hit on Broadway and is based on the classic Charles Dickens novel. The WRVP production, directed by Ethan T. Bowen, with musical direction by Susanne Peck, and choreography by Karen Amir–ault, was cast several weeks ago and rehearsals are now underway.

Aidan Ryan has the title role of Oliver Twist, a lonely orphan boy born in the workhouse. He meets Fagin (Tim Bennett), a conniving career criminal, who takes in homeless boys and teaches them to pick pockets for him. The Artful Dodger, the cleverest of Fagin's pickpockets, will be played by Abe Doughty, and Abby Hurwitz has the role of Charley Bates, one of Fagin's pickpockets, who is the Dodger’s sidekick.

David Marmor will be Mr. Bumble, the pompous leader of the workhouse in which Oliver was born, and Cynthia Ryan has the role of Widow Corney, the workhouse matron, who later marries Mr. Bumble.

Sarabeth Hamberlin will have the role of Nancy, who takes a liking to Oliver and treats him as her own child, and Pat Dougherty will play her lover, Bill Sykes. Marissa Achee will play Nancy’s friend, Bet, one of Fagin's former pickpockets.

Joe Schenkman and Cari Burkard will be Mr. and Mrs. Sowerberry, the couple who take in Oliver and use him in their funeral business. Charlotte Sowerberry, their rude, but flirtatious daughter, will be played by Billy-Jo Leonard. Doug Kings–bury will have the role of Noah Claypole, the Sowerberrys' apprentice, who bullies Oliver about his mother and enjoys a flirtatious relationship with Charlotte.

Michael Winters will play Oliver's grandfather, a man of wealth and breeding, Sally Erickson will play Mrs. Bedwin, George Abrams has the role of Dr. Grimwig, and Ginny Scott Bowman will play Old Sally.

The cast will be rounded out by a lively group of street characters, workhouse kids, and a crew of pickpockets.

Dorothy Robson and Linda Bennett are co-producers for the show, and are also doubling as the piano accompanist and costume designer, respectively. John Wong is the set designer, with lighting design by Robert Meagher. Dick Robson is the technical director, Kristi Tate is the stage manager, and Jeanie Levitan Crickard is the dance coach

As with many WRVP musicals in the past, this show has a number of family units in the multi-generational cast, and also helping out behind the scenes.

“This show has amazing music,” Peck notes. “One of the best musical scores ever, in my opinion. It has fabulous melody and rhythm, and it’s very upbeat and life affirming. That’s an interesting juxtaposition right there—providing a basis for hope and deeply thought-provoking.”

General admission tickets will go on sale next month at the White River Credit Union and Judy Jensen’s Clay Studio, both in Rochester village. For more information, or to volunteer to help with any aspect of the production, call Dorothy Robson at 767-3732.