Boiler Room Theatre Unveils New Production of OLIVER! Just In Time For The Holiday Season

Oliver! - the Lionel Bart musical about London street urchin Oliver Twist and the scores of ruffians and ragamuffins who make up something of a family for the orphaned boy - opens at Franklin's Boiler Room Theatre on Friday night, running through December 23, offering regional audiences the opportunity to fall in love with the 1960 musical once more.

Opening during one of the busiest theatrical weekends of the 2011 season, Oliver! duels with shows all over the Nashville area for the attention of a discerning theater-going public. But with the show's rich heritage - it opened on Broadway in 1963 after its initial London production and was filmed in 1968, in the process winning six Oscars, including Best Picture - it's clearly one of the best-loved musicals of all time.

Featuring a memorable score that includes such musical theater standards as "Food, Glorious Food," "I'd Do Anything," "As Long As He Needs Me," "Consider Yourself," "Where is Love?" and the title tune, Oliver! is directed by Boiler Room's Sondra Morton, whose work with Act Too Players - an acclaimed training program for budding thespians that she heads at The Factory in Franklin - has certainly prepared her for the task at hand. Double-casting the younger cast members (18 in total), Morton maintains will afford the young actors "an amazing and professional opportunity."

"Oliver! The Musical is a show for all ages," she says. "A classic Dickens favorite, and a great alternative to the traditional holiday shows that are offered around town."

Another important facet to this season's run of Oliver! at BRT, Morton says, is the production's focus on Miriam's Promise, an area organization that ensures the well-being of children before, during and after birth - something that ties in with the musical's themes.

Taking time out from the tumult of tech week at the Boiler Room Theatre, Morton answered our questions so that viewers can be better informed when it comes time to decide which shows to see this weekend - and for the weeks ahead...

Why should people come see Oliver! at BRT?  Oliver! is a wonderful musical that is rarely seen on the stage. This show has some wonderful songs in it like, "Food, Glorious Food," "I'd Do Anything," "Where is Love?," "Consider Yourself," "As Long As He Needs Me," and "Who Will Buy." I am fortunate to have a very talented cast and crew [including music director Mark Beall, choreographer Lauri Gregoire and production stage manager Jayme Smith] who have been simply a joy to work with and they are deserving of a great audience.

Who did you cast in your production? I have cast two boys to play Oliver, Matthew Dyra (age 10) and Hayden Gill (age 8). I also have a first-rate cast that includes Corrie Miller as Nancy, Jeremy Maxwell as Bill Sykes, Don Hillaker as Fagin, with Paige Brouillette, Kacie Phillips, Vicki White, Brad Oxnam, Dan McGeachy and Laura Crockarell playing all other roles in the show! Our Artful Dodger will be played by Will Lasley.

What should audiences look for when they see your show? What sets your show apart from all the others? This is a great show for the entire family. This show features local children and a host of incredible talent found right here in the Nashville area. Because of the intimate nature of the BRT we have utilized a small cast for a very large show, and the well-rounded, versatile performances of Brad, Vicki, Dan and Laura are outstanding. The set design by Corbin Green really takes the audience to Victorian England, and the costuming by Katie Delaney takes a stylized approach to the Victorian era without petticoats overwhelming the stage. I feel that audience members - young and old - will leave the theater filled with emotion while humming one of our well-known tunes.

How did Oliver! make it onto the BRT season calendar? How do you pick shows you do? We actually had another show slotted to make an appearance on the Boiler Room stage, but to better serve theater patrons we decided to offer a different show. Oliver! also plays on the Dickens Festival, which is an annual event in Downtown Franklin. A meeting of the minds at BRT come together in the spring of every year and start suggesting shows and we keep meeting until we leave it in the artistic director's capable hands.

Why should someone make theater a part of their holiday traditions? I think theater should be a part of any tradition. Theater is such a perfect medium for any holiday celebration or for an ordinary day. Oliver! is a great holiday show for families, it's hopeful and at times very happy, but there is some darkness in Oliver! I think it's good for adults and children to see the life of a young boy in a different time period - and with hard socio-economic situations - overcome it all.

Is BRT offering season tickets for what lies ahead (they make great gifts, after all)? And how can they be purchased? We are offering a Classic Season Pass for $139 which gets you in to see all of our mainstage shows. You can also purchase an Engineer Pass for $299 which gets you into all the shows (mainstage and special events) with reserved seating.  Gift certificates are available in any amount. Instead of wine or fruit of the month club, give the gift of live theater every month. 

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