Premier Theatre Productions and the Rochester Association of Performing Arts (RAPA) are concluding the 2017-18 Main Stage Season with “Oliver! The Musical.” Oliver will be performed April 22 through 27 at the Kodak Center.
Charles Dickens’ unforgettable characters come to life as the story tells of a poor orphan and his associates scrambling to survive in Old London Towne and begging for “more.” Oliver, a runaway orphan, finds acceptance amongst a group of petty thieves and pickpockets led by the clever Fagin. When Oliver is captured for a theft that he did not commit, Fagin employs the sinister Bill Sikes and the sympathetic Nancy to kidnap him back, threatening Oliver’s chances of discovering the true love of a family.
The show features a cast of 50, including an ensemble of 25 youth actors as the orphans, under the direction of Eric Vaughn Johnson, full of timeless tunes, including: “Consider Yourself,” “I’d Do Anything,” “Food Glorious Food,” “Who Will Buy,” “As Long As He Needs Me,” and many more.Johnson is well known in the area for his work in the arts in Greece, Pittsford and at RAPA. Most recently, Johnson directed “Two Tickets to Paradise: The Eddie Money Musical.” Johnson also established a partnership with Children Awaiting Parents to make Oliver!, a fundraiser for their organization.
The Tony and Olivier Award-winning show Oliver! is one of the few musicals to win an Academy Award for Best Picture and is widely hailed as a true theatrical masterpiece by actors and audience members alike.
“Oliver! The Musical” will run for three shows at the Kodak Center Main Stage, 200 West Ridge Road, Rochester: Sunday, April 22 at 2 p.m. (*ASL Interpreted Performance), Sunday, April 22 at 6 p.m. and Friday, April 27 at 7:30 p.m.
Last seen as Bert in RAPA’s Mary Poppins and as Barnaby in Babes in Toyland, comedian and actor Jeff Andrews returns to the Kodak Center stage as Fagin. Jeff is known for his Sketch Comedy group Canary in a Coal Mine and has coached improv groups throughout Rochester, including Provumentary and Linda and the Heartbreakers.
The Oliver! cast also features Rochester favorites Johnnie Simmons as Bill Sikes, Lauran Marron as Nancy, Shawn Gray as Mr. Sowerberry, Billy DeMetsenaere as Mr. Bumble and Diane Chevron as Mrs. Bedwin.
Tickets are $29.50 to $49.50 and are on sale at RapaTheatre.org or by calling 254-0073. Discounts for seniors, students and kids 12 and under are available.
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