July 9 brings the Soo Theatre’s production of Oliver! The Musical to the stage. Running Thursday through Sunday, this award-winning musical, adapted from the novel Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens, is directed by David Rhinard, with music direction by Karen Hughes and choreography by Dianna George. The cast features over fifty performers of all ages, all from the Eastern Upper Peninsula.An orphan in the harsh world of Victorian England, Oliver dreams of a better life. He meets a variety of thieves and vagabonds who want to bring Oliver into their world. Oliver is befriended by one of them, a boy known as the Artful Dodger, who teaches Oliver how to be a pickpocket and offers him friendship with the song “Consider Yourself.” Dodger gives him a place to sleep in Fagin’s lair. Deep down, Oliver knows what is moral and immoral but he desperately wants a family to call his own. He finds a mother figure in Nancy, the girlfriend of the terrifying Bill Sykes. Nancy and her sister Bet sing about how much fun it is to have a little danger in one’s life in “It’s a Fine Life.” A shift happens on a muggy morning. Oliver steals from the wrong man, Mr. Brownlow, who ends up wanting to adopt the boy. He has a strange kinship with Oliver but, with the new thieving friends in his life, Oliver finds it hard to stay with Mr. Brownlow.
To provide the experience of acting in a major role to several young actors, the roles of Oliver and the Artful Dodger are double cast. On their alternate nights, the boys play roles in the chorus.
Oliver! is a musical for the whole family. Show dates and times are Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights July 9, 10, and 11 at 7:30 pm, along with a Sunday matinee at 2:00 p.m. on July 12. Come, support, and join in the fun at the Soo Theatre Project. Admission for the Thursday, Friday, and Saturday performances is $18 for adults and $12 for students, seniors, and groups of 15 or more. Sunday’s matinee admission is $15 for adults and $10 for students, seniors, and groups of 15 or more. A family rate for 3 or more tickets purchased per family is also available: $12 for adults and $8 for kids/students. Groups and families must purchase tickets ahead of the show times.
PDF version of the event poster
Rehearsal Photos
Tickets may be purchased at the Soo Theatre Project office. Office hours are Monday through Thursday 10-6 and Friday 10-4. For more information, call (906) 632-1930 or visit the website at www.sootheatre.org.
The cast of Oliver! The Musical at a recent rehearsal