OLIVER! Opens 8/15 at Westchester Broadway Theatre

Standing Ovation Studio's OLIVER! will open on August 15 at Westchester Broadway Theatre, and run through September 8.

The colorful characters of Charles Dickens' classic "Oliver Twist" come brilliantly to life in Victorian London. This beloved musical tells the tale of the orphan boy who is swept into a band of pickpockets; the Artful Dodger, the menacing Bill Sikes, the kind-hearted Nancy, all led by the wily Fagin.The sensational, Tony award winning, score is full of Lionel Bart's irresistible songs including "Food Glorious Food", "Consider Yourself", "I'd Do Anything", "Oom Pah Pah", "As Long As He Needs Me" and many more. This show truly captures the joys and challenges of youth and will be sure to warm the heart of your entire family.

On June 30, 1960, Oliver opened at the New Theatre with 23 curtain calls. It ran for 2,618 performances in London. With its successful run inLondon still going strong, it opened at the Imperial Theatre on January 6, 1963 on Broadway, running for 774 performances. The Broadway production won 3 Tony Awards, including a Tony for Bart, the first English composer to win a Tony for Best Musical. Several child actors started their careers in the title role including Davy Jones

The cast will feature Brandon Singel as Oliver. Brandon of Harrison, NY, also starred as Winthrop in The Music Man here at WBT. Mr. Bumble will be played by John Egan, of Dobbs Ferry, a veteran Broadway performer who has starred in The Producers, The Little Mermaid, Sister Act, Nice Work If You Can Get It, to name a few. John Anthony Lopez will perform as Fagin, Lucy Braid as Nancy, Todd Ritch as The Artful Dodger, Brian Krinsky as Bill Sykes, and Regina Singel as Widow Corney.

The Multi-talented ensemble includes Jessica Crilley, Brianna Gartenberg, Akira Golz, Danny Hammond, Jennifer Jonas, Jeremy Michael Lanuti, Victoria Lauzun, Peter Neureuther, Chase O'Brien, Cali LaSpina, Olivia Lombardi, Anthony Malchar, Gabriella Palminteri, Molly Perrine, Jesse Pellegrino, Sam Rodd, Nicole Sartor, Megan Scwartz, Christina Tompkins, Matthew Michael Uriniak, Taylor Vickers, Alyxx Weishaar and Scott Zimmerman.

The Show is directed by John Fanelli, the Musical Director is Kurt Kelley, Choreography by Carrie Silvernail, Set Design is by Steve Loftus, Lighting Design is by Andrew Gmoser, Sound Design is by Jonathan Hatton and Mark Zuckerman, the Production Stage Manager is Julia LaVerde. Costumes by Bottari &Case, Properties are by Grumpy's Props

John Fanelli (Director) Recently Directed Seussical, The Music Man and In The Heights at WBT. He has fostered a "Bridge to Broadway" model through his drama coaching and direction for the past seven years through his Lighthouse Youth Theatre. He assembles a combination of talent and energy with Broadway performers and local rising stars which results in a rare and wonderful happening for Westchester. Fanelli has expanded the program with a new state-of-the-art studio in Armonk under the new name, Standing Ovation Studios. He sees this production of Oliver as both an example of the plans for Standing Ovation Studios and an extension of the concept, "Bridge to Broadway and Back."

John Treacy Egan: (Bumble) Broadway credits include Nice Work If You Can Get It, Sister Act, The Little Mermaid, The Producers, Jekyll & Hyde, Bye Bye Birdie and the national tours of Kiss Me Kate and Cats. Off-Broadway, When Pigs Fly! It Must Be Him and Batboy The Musical. Television credits include Boardwalk Empire, Nurse Jackie, 30 Rock, Cupid, Law & Order, Late Night with Conan O'Brien and the films Last Night and The Producers. He can be heard on many theatrical recordings as well as his own solo CDs Count the Stars and On Christmas Morning.

Brandon Singel: (Oliver) Is from Harrison, NY. His first role was as a Newsboy in Gypsy at ACT in Yonkers. He was Winthrop in The Music Manhere at WBT. He performed in Sondheim's Assassins, and has also played the title role in Tommy. "I'm going into the 6th grade in September. My favorite subject is Math. When I grow up, I want to be an engineer, I just haven't figured out which kind of engineer yet. My mom performs also. Most of the shows I've done have been with my Mom. When not on stage, I like playing video games and juggling and building Minecraft creations using tips found on YouTube."

Dinner & Show range between $54.00 and $80.00 PLUS TAX depending on the performances chosen. Beverage Service & Gratuities are not included in the ticket price. Discounts are available for children, students, and senior citizens at selected performances. Also check the website for on-going Special Offers! More news at: www.BroadwayTheatre.com

Photo by John Vecchiolla

To post a comment, you must register and login.