The Carnegie and the Kentucky Symphony Orchestra Present OLIVER, 12/11-27

The Carnegie Visual and Performing Arts Center (The Carnegie) with the Kentucky Symphony Orchestra presents a fully-staged production of the musical OLIVER!, weekends December 11-27 at The Carnegie. 

One of the world's most celebrated musicals, OLIVER! brings Dickens "Oliver Twist" brilliantly to life with sparkling characters and timeless songs including "Consider Yourself" and "Food, Glorious Food." As the young orphan Oliver moves from workhouse to mortuary and urchin to pickpocket, he contends with the streetwise Artful Dodger, the slippery Fagin, the cutthroat Bill Sikes, and the passionate barmaid Nancy through all the dark corners of London.

Lauded professional actor Charlie Clark returns to The Carnegie as Fagin, the slimy underworld pickpocket boss, leading a large cast including 29 child, student, and adults performers from the Greater Cincinnati area. Clark takes the stage on the heels of a critically acclaimed portrayal of con man Freddie Benson in The Carnegie's September production of DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS, for which he garnered an Acclaim Award for Outstanding Equity Performance in a Musical.

Even the awards and accolades of SCOUNDRELS won't stack up to the fulfillment Clark is already experiencing with OLIVER, however. For the first time, he will share the stage with his two oldest children, Ben and Jack, as they play roles in the boy's ensemble. This is the first show experience for the two boys, whose dad is having a blast doubling as lead actor and proud father.

"Sharing the stage with Ben and Jack reminds me why I started acting in the first place - the joy of make believe and 'playing pretend,'" says Clark. "Knowing this experience may be once-in-a-lifetime, I'm enjoying every moment with them on stage, as well as the moments at home when they ask for a second bowl of cereal at breakfast in character with 'please, sir, I want some more.' OLIVER is an unforgettable Christmas present for me and my family."

Clark isn't the only parent in OLIVER sharing the stage with his child. Anita Dock, playing the role of Mrs. Sowerberry, has also looked on proudly as her son, Adam Dock, rehearses the role of the charismatic Artful Dodger with 11 year-old Will Graber as Oliver. They join Madeline Paul (Nancy), Jim Stump (Mr. Bumble), Catherine Ross (Widow Corney), Marcus Glasgow (Mr. Sowerberry), Jered Ryan (Bill Sikes), Dennis Murphy (MR. Brownlow), and 17 adults and children in the OLIVER family.

During the December 12 and 13 performances of OLIVER, The Carnegie will host a gastronomic gala entitled "Food, Glorious Food," featuring English food, tea, and pastries in the Ohio National Financial Services Gallery. Patrons will enjoy a sampling of delicacies from across the pond, as well as gifts and packaged goodies from across the pond.

Also as part of "Food, Glorious Food," The Carnegie will be collecting canned food goods to help feed the hungry this holiday season. Patrons may bring one or more items to a performance and receive a $2 coupon to Carnegie concessions before the show and during intermission. All donations will benefit Stand Up for Kids, a non-profit organization supporting street kids in Greater Cincinnati.

James R. Cassidy leads players from the Kentucky Symphony Orchestra as he conducts and provides musical direction for the fully-staged production. Since 1992, Cassidy has served as music director for the symphony, which has become known for its innovative and dynamic programming. Cassidy is excited about the opportunity to collaborate with The Carnegie and utilize the historic Otto M. Budig Theatre as it was originally intended.

Cassidy teams for the second time with director Gina Kleesattel, the two having collaborated on a 2008 semi-staged production of WEST SIDE STORY at Greaves Concert Hall at Northern Kentucky University (NKU). An experienced freelance director and long-time teacher at Cincinnati's School for Creative and Performing Arts, Kleesattel is the former Executive Artistic Director of Kincaid Regional Theatre and Artistic Director of the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden Festival of Lights. Recent professional credits include LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS (Jersey Productions), CHEAPER BY THE DOZEN (Showboat Majestic), and I LOVE YOU, YOU'RE PERFECT, NOW CHANGE (NKU Summer Dinner Theatre / Commonwealth Theatre Company).

CCM professor and Acclaim Award winner Patti James will choreograph OLIVER!, joining Kristen Robinson (scenic designer), Andi Schultes (stage manager), and Jim Stump (costumer, Mr. Bumble) as returning production team members from DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS. Noted technical theatre artist and CCM graduate alumnus Andrew Hungerford (lighting designer) and internationally accomplished pianist and music director Steve Hinnenkamp (vocal director) complete the production team for OLIVER!.

OLIVER! is a staged adaptation of the 1838 Charles Dickens novel "Oliver Twist; or, The Parish Boy's Progress," Dickens' second novel and among his best-known. The musical, with book, lyrics, and music by Lionel Bart, premiered in 1963. While enjoying two Broadway runs and a revival in the early 1980's, OLIVER's timeless music gained ubiquity with the 1968 movie musical release of the same title, directed by Carol Reed. Songs including "Consider Yourself," "Food, Glorious Food," and "As Long As He Needs Me" are among the most recognizable in the musical theatre canon.

Throughout the 2009-10 season, The Carnegie is proud to offer fully accessible performances for the deaf and hard of hearing, featuring closed captioning and American Sign Language interpreters. OLIVER! performances including this accessibility are as follows:

Sunday, December 20, 3:00pm
Sunday, September 27, 3:00pm

Interpretation is made possible by a collaboration between The Carnegie and the Sign Language Interpreting and Deaf Studies program at the University of Cincinnati. Captioning has been offered for major theatrical performances at The Carnegie since 2006 thanks to the support of volunteers.

Interpretation and captioning will be offered free of charge to patrons who request these services with their tickets.

Ticketing
Performances: Friday, December 11, 7:30pm (SOLD OUT) ? Saturday, December 12, 7:30pm ? Sunday, December 13, 3:00pm ? Friday, December 18, 7:30pm ? Saturday, December 19, 7:30pm ? Sunday, December 20, 7:30pm* ? Saturday, December 26 3:00pm, 7:30pm ? Sunday, December 27, 3:00pm*

*Denotes ASL interpreted and closed captioned performance

Pricing:
$25 Adults
$20 Carnegie and Enjoy The Arts Members
$18 Students
$18 Groups of 10 or More

Tickets may be purchased through The Carnegie Box Office at 859.957.1940, open Tuesday through Friday, noon to 5:00pm, or online at www.thecarnegie.com.

The Carnegie Visual and Performing Arts Center is a multidisciplinary arts venue for all ages providing events, educational programs, and art exhibitions to the Northern Kentucky and Greater Cincinnati community. The Carnegie facility reflects its threefold nature: within its 17,000 square foot facility are The Carnegie Galleries, crowned by a landmark Beaux Arts dome; the magnificent, newly renovated Otto M. Budig Theatre; and the newer Eva G. Farris Education center. The Carnegie is the largest arts venue in Northern Kentucky.

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