PICT Classic Theatre to Present OLIVER TWIST Despite Setbacks

After a total staff lay-off, the cancellation of a production and a series of very real discussions about whether PICT should close its doors forever, PICT Classic Theatre is pleased to announce its return to the Pittsburgh theatre scene. PICT will move forward with its final production of 2015, also the organization's final performance in the Stephen Foster Memorial on the University of Pittsburgh Campus, with a presentation of Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens and adapted by PICT's Artistic & Executive Director, Alan Stanford, running December 3 through 19.

"It's very ironic to do Oliver Twist after a year in which I have had to seek additional funds from our donors and sponsors," jokes Stanford, "It really gives me so much respect for the little boy with the bowl saying 'please, sir, I want some more'. Though it seems PICT's donors were far more generous to PICT than Mr. Bumble was to Oliver at the workhouse."

In order to put on the production, Stanford had to raise an additional $65,000 in only two weeks' time. "And our individual donors stepped up to the plate marvelously," praises Stanford. "We actually raised nearly $70,000. It certainly doesn't get us out of the woods, but thanks to them, we now have a path to follow."

This path leads PICT's audience through the streets of dark and grimy Victorian London with some very familiar Dickensian characters. Audiences may find some surprises along the way, however, as PICT's presentation will be very different from the famous musical adaptation of the same story. Stanford created his adaptation nearly 20 years ago for the Gate Theatre in Dublin, and Dickens aficionados will find Stanford's adaptation to be far truer to the plot of the 1837 novel.

"It's a wonderful story of redemption," expresses Stanford, " and it is about innocence surviving in a corrupt world. It is also a savage indictment of how children and the poor were treated in the nineteenth century. Dickens had considerable influence on political thinking, and he reinforced the idea that we have a responsibility to care for and educate the young and destitute."

Stanford originally chose Oliver Twist for December because of the incredible reaction to PICT's production of Great Expectations in 2014 and also because he believes that Dickens and the holiday season go together. But it is the spirit of charity Dickens embeds within the story that makes Oliver Twist, which was funded primarily through the kindness of individual donors, even more suited the season of giving.

"All that we can give in return is the finest production of Oliver Twist we can produce, and we are committed to that mission," Stanford pledges. "Oliver may be bringing us to a close in our tenure at the Stephen foster, but it's also a marker for the rebirth of PICT in 2016, our 20th year. Audiences can expect to hear the details of that season and our venues shortly."

Visit picttheatre.org for tickets and more information.

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