Regional Premiere of OLIVER TWIST Opens at Park Square Theatre 10/21
By: Lauren Wolman Aug. 09, 2011
You'll quickly forget the moppet-haired urchins of musical fame when Joel Sass designs and directs the Midwest premiere of an inventive new adaptation of OLIVER TWIST at Park Square. This theatrical adventure is told by a chameleon cast of 13, who combine Dickens' original text with Victorian music hall tunes. "So much of the story hinges on our hopes and fears for little Oliver as he voyages through the exciting but highly dangerous world of Victorian London," Sass explains. "It's a grown-up world, even for streetwise ruffians-so placing one lone boy among a cast of grown-ups who are playing all the other parts instantly helps us feel the immensity of the challenge Oliver is facing."
Well known in the United Kingdom for his work as an adapter of classic works, playwright Neil Bartlett offers rich territory for Sass to explore as both director and designer. "Almost every single word of dialogue comes verbatim from the novel-you really feel as if you are hearing Dickens' characters speaking directly to you! But this is not a simple staged reading-it is a highly dramatic, immediate, muscular and exciting theater event," Sass enthuses. "I've been researching old British theaters, period costume, traditions of pantomime, tableaux, shadow-plays, and listening to old music and songs of the period. What has begun to emerge in early sketches is a slightly creepy, highly flexible stage space filled with ropes, pulleys, wheels and places to hide. "
In addition to 17 general audience performances, OLIVER TWIST will have six weekday matinees for high school students. Sass says the text itself makes it easy to aim this production squarely at these two distinct audiences. "Dickens was a populist writer, and a genius with characters and pacing," says Sass. "I can't tell you the number of people, both young and old, who have told me OLIVER TWIST is one of their favorite books. I think part of it has to do with the incredible cast of memorable characters Dickens introduces in his story, and with the essential drama of Oliver's quest for a safe home as he navigates a very perilous, adventuresome world, with no one to look out for him. It's a primal fear for everyone-to be alone, to be abandoned-and to have to survive with no protection or skills except your own essential goodness. In that way, Dickens is telling a very timeless, moral, almost spiritual adventure story, and that is something which appeals to audience members of any age."
This Midwest premiere of OLIVER TWIST opens October 21 and runs through November 6 at Park Square Theatre, 20 W. Seventh Place, Saint Paul. Directed and designed by Joel Sass, the top-notch cast features Steve Hendrickson as Fagin and includes Noah Coon in the role of Oliver Twist, Patrick Bailey (MR. Brownlow, Workhouse Inmate #6, Workhouse Boy, A Mourner, Chairman of Workhouse Board), Stephen Cartmell (John Dawkins aka 'The Dodger'), Hope Cervantes (Nancy / Oliver's Mother ), Eric Gravez (Bill Sikes / Mrs. Sowerberry ), Ellen Kirk (Toby Crackit / Workhouse Inmate / Policeman), Lindsay Marcy (Rose Brownlow / Workhouse Inmate / Charlotte), Adam Qualls (Mr. Sowerberry / Mr. Fang / Mr. Grimwig), David Schlosser (Charles Bates / The Doctor), Eric Sharp (Noah Claypole/Tom Chitling & Others), E.J. Subkoviak (Mr. Bumble / A Bystander), Cheryl Willis (Mrs. Corney/ Mrs. Bumble, Bystander).
Midwest Premiere
By Charles Dickens
Adapted by Neil Bartlett
Directed & Designed by Joel Sass
October 21 - Nov. 6, 2011 (Previews begin October 14)PARK SQUARE THEATRE
20 W. Seventh Place, Saint Paul
Box office: 651-291-7005 or www.parksquaretheatre.org
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