Expanded talent; 3 schools coming together for ‘Oliver!’
Published 10:30 am Thursday, March 9, 2017
- Dodger (Wyatt Pederson), left, and Oliver (Matt Mueller) dance to “Consider Yourself” during “Oliver!” which opens at Southland High School in Adams on Thursday. Photos by Deb Nicklay/deb.nicklay@austindailyherald.com
The musical, “Oliver!” brings together three schools’ worth of talent to the stage of Southland High School, beginning tonight and running through Saturday
Elementary through high school-aged students grace the production, directed by Madlain Vander. Southland elementary, middle and high schools, Le Roy-Ostrander schools and Sacred Heart School in Adams all join for the 60-plus actor production
Shows are at 6:30 p.m. tonight and Friday; and at noon on Saturday. Tickets are $7 for adults, $5 for students and free for children 5 years and younger.
The selection of the musical, based upon Charles Dickens’ classic, “Oliver Twist,” came “because we had so many talented male actors, especially seniors graduating this spring,” said Vander. “We wanted to find a musical where there were roles for all of them to shine before they graduated. We also wanted to make sure it had a male lead. We loved that it stood in stark contrast to the past two years of Disney musicals that featured princesses, princes and lead female roles,” she said.
Orphans sing about what they cannot get enough of: “Food, Glorious Food.”
Vander added it was also nice to include the wide range of ages, including elementary-age students. The small actors appear most prominently in the opening number, “Food, Glorious Food.” It is in that scene that Oliver says the famous line, “Please, sir, I want some more.”
“Why are we, as sophisticated 21st century citizens, still using a line penned in the 1830s when we want a second helping of something? The short answer: Charles Dickens is awesome,” Vander said.
The show, she said, is also among the most famous of rags-to-riches tales, complete with now-popular songs, “Consider Yourself,” “Who Will Buy?” “As Long As He Needs Me,” and “Where Is Love?”
Oliver, an orphan, finds his way through a city of criminals and avoids being corrupted.
“Audiences loved ‘Oliver Twist’ in Dickens’ day, for the gritty realism with which he portrayed working class people and the horrible living conditions of the London slums … corruption can take over and bad stuff does happen. It’s not sugar-coated; it’s real.”
But also real is “how goodness of human nature can win out,” she said.
Music director for the show is Jenna Steinkamp and the LeRoy coordinator and sound operator is Chris Williams. Assistant director is Macy Klaehn. Set construction was led by Bill Schmitz and lighting was designed by Tom Flaherty.
Oliver (Matt Mueller) wonders “Where Is Love,” during the production of “Oliver!” at Southland High School.
Main cast
Oliver, Matt Mueller; Mr. Bumble/Bill Sykes, Tyler Russell; Widow Corney, Aleighcia Giles Peterson, Mr. Sowerberry, Mason Heimer; Mrs. Sowerberry, Hannah Bergene; Noah Claypole, Jack Mullenbach; Charlotte/Matron, Mariah Kiefer; Dodger, Wyatt Pederson; Fagin, Will Douty; Nancy, Lizzy Wolterman; Bet, Cortney Espe; Mr. Brownlow/Chairman, Isaac Himebaugh; Mrs. Bedwin, Malina Luke; Dr. Grimwig, Emily Kasel; Old Sally/Workhouse Matron, Kylie Stafford.
Work House: Dylan Allegre, Lukas Howard, Kiley Koenigs, Amelia McCabe, Bennett Mullenbach, Claire Nelsen, Ethan Payne, Brynn Sathre, Kylie Welsh, Cortney Espe, Liliana Johnson, Justin Lagerstedt, Ava McCabe, Jack Mullenbach, Teren Olvera, Hunter Staples, Jaida Sorenson, Lydia Wilde, Ava Golombowski, Brecken Kellogg, Malina Luke, Katelyn McCabe, Brede Nelsen, Anna Payne, Nora Schmitz, Zoe Steinkamp, Kaiya Hemann, Emma Koenigs, Emma Lewison, Lillian McKay, Bria Nelsen, Ava Payne, Kailyn Schneider and Dezi Stoopes.
Servers/Governors: Hallie Bergene, Mariah Kiefer, Rachel Meany, Megan Heimer, Kyle Morrison, Emily Kasel, Isaac Himebaugh and Kylie Stafford.
Fagin’s Gang: Charlie Bates, Nora Schmitz; Captain, Kylie Welsh; Nipper, Brynn Sathre. Others: Lukas Howard, Bennett Mullenbach, Dezi Stoopes, Jack Mullenbach, Malina Luke, Bria Nelsen, Isaac Himebaugh, Megan Heimer, Ava Payne, Teren Olvera, Hallie Bergene, Ethan Payne and Katelyn McCabe.
Pub Patroons: Hallie Bergene, Lukas Howard, Rachel Meany, Kylie Welsh, Hannah Bergene, Emily Kasel, Jack Mullenbach, Isaac Himebaugh, Mason Heimer, Mariah Kiefer, Teren Olvera, Kyle Morrison, Megan Heimer, Malina Luke and Kylie Stafford (Old Sally).
Production
Set building assistant, Troy McCabe; costume assistants, Bette Schmitz and Dawn Mueller; production assistant, Dea Pederson, assistant student director, Ashley Conradt; sound assistant and editing, Lukas Howard.
Crew
Heidi Onverzagt, Hannah Sass, JoEllen Rice, Gabby Smith and Lexi Smith.
