Berkeley Rep Presents Oliver Twist May 11 - June 24

Berkeley Repertory Theatre ends its 2006/07 Season with an astonishing twist – a dark and delightful new adaptation of Charles Dickens' Oliver Twist staged by one of Britain's most innovative theatre artists. Like the title character, this show has become a runaway success, leaving audiences in London, Boston, and New York clamoring for more. Now Neil Bartlett brings his brilliant production to Berkeley Rep for its West Coast premiere.

Oliver Twist begins previews in the Roda Theatre on May 11, opens May 16, and closes June 24.

"Inspired by the vivid world of the Victorian music hall, Charles Dickens' Oliver Twist uses original language from the novel to dramatize one of the most deeply felt stories ever written about childhood," details press notes, "A cast of unforgettable characters brings the underworld of London to thrilling life – a 19th-century city teeming with danger and fear – all seen through the eyes of a bewildered child. By turns comic and tragic, musical and dramatic, Bartlett's Twist has stolen the hearts of critics and theatre-goers on two continents."

Oliver Twist is adapted and directed by Neil Bartlett, with music by Gerard McBurney; designed by Rae Smith (sets and costumes), Scott Zielinski, (lights), and David Remedios (sound).  Featuring Remo Airaldi, Steven Boyer, Gregory Derelian, Thomas Derrah, Ned Eisenberg, Carson Elrod, Jennifer Ikeda, Elizabeth Jasicki, Will LeBlow, Karen MacDonald, Craig Pattison, Lucas Steele, and Michael Wartella.

This version of Oliver Twist was originally commissioned and produced for the Lyric Hammersmith in London, and Berkeley Rep presents its US tour in association with American Repertory Theatre and Theatre for a New Audience.

Show times: Previews are May 11 – 15, Opening May 16, performances through June 24.
Tuesdays & Fridays at 8PM; Wednesdays at 7PM; Thursdays & Saturdays at 2 & 8PM; Sundays at 2 & 7PM.  No performance Friday, June 22 and no matinees during previews or on May 17, 26 & 31, June 9 & 14.

Special Events:
Target ® Teen Night: May 11 at 6:30 PM
Student matinee: Wednesday May 23 at 12PM
Post-play discussions: May 31, June 12 & 15 at 8PM
Book club: June 5 at 6PM
Docent presentations: Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7PM

Tickets to Charles Dickens' Oliver Twist are on sale now, priced from $33 to $61. Discounts are available for students, seniors, groups, UC Berkeley alumni, employees of K-12 schools, and anyone under 30 years of age. For every weekday performance, half-price HotTix go on sale that day at noon at the box office. All discounts are subject to availability.

Berkeley Rep's Roda Theatre is located at 2015 Addison Street, one block from Berkeley's downtown BART station and close to AC Transit bus lines. The theatre is accessible to the handicapped, offering wheelchair seating and special services for those with hearing- or vision-impairment. The box office is next door at 2025 Addison Street. For tickets or information, call 510-647-2949 or toll-free at 888-4-BRT-Tix – or simply click www.berkeleyrep.org.

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