Show will leave viewers wanting more
Daily Inter-Lake | UPDATED 11 years, 1 month AGO
<p>Mike Winn as The Artful Dodger at the dress rehearsal of "Oliver!" on Monday, December 2, in Whitefish. The opens tonight with a sneak performance at 7:30 for S10. The official opening is Friday, December 6. "Oliver!" will run for three weekends. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)</p>
<p>Madison Wambeke as Bet at the dress rehearsal of "Oliver!" on Monday, December 2, in Whitefish. The opens tonight with a sneak performance at 7:30 for S10. The official opening is Friday, December 6. "Oliver!" will run for three weekends. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)</p>
<p>Jane Trina as Oliver, center, is berated by Tom Wambeke as Mr. Bumble during the dress rehearsal of "Oliver!" on Monday, December 2, in Whitefish. The opens tonight with a sneak performance at 7:30 for S10. The official opening is Friday, December 6. "Oliver!" will run for three weekends. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)</p>
<p>From left, Cassandra Sunnell as Charlotte, Tanner Hosek as Noah Claypole, and Suzie Wambeke as Mrs. Sowerberry gather for a scene in act one at the dress rehearsal of "Oliver!" on Monday, December 2, in Whitefish. The opens tonight with a sneak performance at 7:30 for S10. The official opening is Friday, December 6. "Oliver!" will run for three weekends. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)</p>
<p>Jane Trina as Oliver rides the shoulders of Mikey Winn as The Artful Dodger at the dress rehearsal of "Oliver!" on Monday, December 2, in Whitefish. The opens tonight with a sneak performance at 7:30 for S10. The official opening is Friday, December 6. "Oliver!" will run for three weekends. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)</p>
<p>An act one scene during the dress rehearsal of "Oliver!" on Monday, December 2, in Whitefish. The opens tonight with a sneak performance at 7:30 for S10. The official opening is Friday, December 6. "Oliver!" will run for three weekends. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)</p>
<p>Maggie Eisenbarth as Nancy at the dress rehearsal of "Oliver!" on Monday, December 2, in Whitefish. The opens tonight with a sneak performance at 7:30 for S10. The official opening is Friday, December 6. "Oliver!" will run for three weekends. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)</p>
<p>Suzie Wambeke as Mrs. Sowerberry at the dress rehearsal of "Oliver!" on Monday, December 2, in Whitefish. The opens tonight with a sneak performance at 7:30 for S10. The official opening is Friday, December 6. "Oliver!" will run for three weekends. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)</p>
<p>Rob Koelzer as Bill Sykes threatens Maggie Eisenbarth as Nancy at the dress rehearsal of "Oliver!" on Monday, December 2, in Whitefish. The opens tonight with a sneak performance at 7:30 for S10. The official opening is Friday, December 6. "Oliver!" will run for three weekends. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)</p>
<p>The silhouette of Rob Koelzer as Bill Sykes is thrown in sharp contrast against the background after the murder of Nancy in act two at the dress rehearsal of "Oliver!" on Monday, December 2, in Whitefish. The opens tonight with a sneak performance at 7:30 for S10. The official opening is Friday, December 6. "Oliver!" will run for three weekends. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)</p>
Whitefish Theatre Company presents the family classic “Oliver!” as its holiday show this month.
With some of the greatest songs written for the American musical theater, a timeless plot and rousing dance numbers, Tony-award winning “Oliver!” is a holiday outing not to be missed.
Based on the book “Oliver Twist” by Charles Dickens, the musical adaptation by Lionel Bart brings vividly to life the unforgettable story of the boy who wants more.
The curtain opens up at a workhouse, where boys pile in to sing the opening number, "Food Glorious Food!" The young Oliver, after eating his small portion of gruel, asks innocently, "Please sir, may I have some more?"
Oliver ultimately flees the workhouse run by the heartless Mr. Bumble, traveling to London where he meets the Artful Dodger and is recruited to pick pockets for the incorrigible Fagin. There, Oliver finds a friend in Nancy, neither of them fit for a life of crime.
The score includes familiar, toe-tapping tunes such as “Consider Yourself,” “You’ve Got to Pick-a-Pocket or Two,” “Where Is Love?” “I’d Do Anything,” “Oom Pah Pah” and “As Long As He Needs Me.”
Whitefish Theatre Company guest director Rebecca Schaffer is taking an innovative look at the musical.
“The wonderful thing about ‘Oliver!’ is that it is a traditional musical that is also fantastical and larger than life,” Schaffer said.
“I have enjoyed re-imagining the characters and the look of the play in a futuristic way, while still bringing to life the enduring story of a boy looking for family and happiness. While the underbelly of the story is a bit dark and gritty, the play really explores our need to be loved and the lengths that people will go to achieve that.”
“My cast is so wonderful,” Schaffer added. “They are open to new ideas and are rising to the challenge of imagining these characters in their own right.”
The lead role of Oliver is played by Jane Trina. Mikey Winn is the Artful Dodger, Tony Hernandez is Fagin, Maggie Eisenbarth is Nancy, Rob Koelzer is Bill Sykes, Christoph Lawton is Mr. Sowerberry, Suzie Wambeke is Mrs. Sowerberry and Tom Wambeke is Mr. Bumble.
Contributing to the design of “Oliver!” are Suzie Wambeke, assistant director; Karla West, musical director; Rob Akey, scenic designer; and Colin Arakaki, set and lighting designer.
The exceptionally detailed period costumes are designed by Lonnie Porro, Marie Merkel and their talented cast of dedicated seamstresses who’ve worked tirelessly to clothe the 37 cast members.
The musical opens with a sneak preview tonight at 7:30 p.m.
Performances continue Friday, Saturday and Sunday; Dec. 13 to 15; and Dec. 20 to 22.
Friday and Saturday performances are at 7:30 p.m. Sunday shows start at 4 p.m.
Tickets are $20 for adults, $18 for seniors and $8 for students with reserved seating.
Tickets for the sneak preview performance are $10, sold only at the door.
Tickets can be purchased at the box office, 1 Central Ave., Whitefish, or by calling 862-5371. Box office hours are from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and one hour before performance times.
Tickets can also be purchased online at www.whitefishtheatreco.org.
