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WPCNR STAGE DOOR. From Westchester Broadway Theater. (Edited) May 1, 2005: Oliver! the musical, is based on the classic novel Oliver Twist, by Charles Dickens. It opens this week and plays through July 2 at Westchester County’s most successful theatre, Westchester Broadway Theatre, in Elmsford. The novel was published in 1838 and has been a great favorite ever since. There have been a number of films based on this timeless story, most notably: the 1922 silent film starring Lon Chaney and Jackie Coogan; the 1948 film with Alec Guinness and Anthony Newley; the 1958 television version with Robert Morley, Eric Portman and Inga Swenson; and another made-for- television movie in 1982, with a script by James Goldman, starring George C. Scott.
OLIVER! features three young thespians from White Plains: Jennifer Damiano, Madeline Rogan and Peter Dylan Rogan as members of Oliver Twist’s “gang.” (1st Row l to r) Madeline Rogan, Max Damashek (Oliver), Julie Ann Tripaldi, Noah Sterling. (2nd Row l to r) Chelsey Alfredo, Noah Ruff, Stephen Berger (Fagin), Peter Dylan Rogan, Anthony J. Colangelo.(3rd Row l to r)TJ Larke, Jenna Dellacco, Jackson Wong, Nicholas R. Mellilo, Brett Lupi Jennifer Damiano, Justin Coniaris.(4th Row l to r) David Rosenberg, Ebony Force, & Anthony R. Mellilo. For more on the show go to www.broadwaytheatre.com Photo, Courtesy Westchester Broadway Theatre.
The musical adaptation of Oliver! began its life on June 30th, 1960 in London and celebrated its fifth anniversary in 1965, with no closing date in sight. New York producer David Merrick, who liked to specialize in bringing London successes to Broadway, secured the American rights to Oliver!. Because of a prolonged daily newspaper strike, the New York opening on Broadway was delayed until January 6th, 1963. The production starred Clive Revill as Fagin, Georgia Brown as Nancy, and Bruce Prochnik as Oliver Twist. In the spring of 1963, Lional Bart received a Tony Award for his music and lyrics of Oliver!. The show drew capacity houses right from the start and continued for 97 weeks in all….up to its closing in November of 1964. After-ward, there were long runs in Chicago, Washington and other cities during a major National tour. The show returned to New York for a second engagement in the fall of 1965.
There have been a number of first class revivals of Oliver: a long running London revival which starred Roy Hud in 1977; a major Broadway revival in 1984 with Ron Moody and Patti LuPone; and the 1994 successful London revival produced by Cameron Mackintosh, starring Jonathan Pryce as Fagin. Lional Bart went on to adapt his stage musical into a hugely successful film which was released in January of 1968. In June of that same year, Oliver! captured six “Oscars,” including Best Picture, Director, and Art Direction and scoring. Onna White was given a special prize for her choreography. The all-star cast included Ron Moody as Fagin, Oliver Reed as Bill Sykes, Shani Wallis as Nancy, Mark Lester as Oliver, Jack Wild as the Artful Dodger, and the irresistible Hugh Griffith as the Magistrate.
The score of Oliver! is wonderfully fresh and tuneful, with the gusto and style of British Musical Hall entertainment, and at the same time, some of the music is very melodious and hauntingly beautiful. A number of the more memorable songs from the show are “Food, Glorious, Food”, “Consider Yourself”, “It’s a Fine Life”, “I’d Do Anything”, “Who Will Buy,” “Where Is Love, and “As Long As He Needs Me.” A few of these songs stood apart from the show (“As Long As He Needs Me” and “Where Is Love”) and were recorded on record albums by well known pop artists, as well as being performed on the radio and TV variety shows. The story of Oliver Twist has been extremely popular throughout the years, and has inspired multiple adaptations of stage, film, and TV. Oliver! continues to have a life, with seemingly no end in sight!
Oliver! plays Wednesday Through Sunday through June 28. For Box Office Information, call 592-2222, or go to www.westchesterbroadwaytheatre.com.
Westchester Broadway Theatre’s production will star Stephen Berger as Fagin, Michelle Dawson as Nancy, Max Damashek as Oliver, Eric Shelley as the Artful Dodger. Brian Sgambati as Bill Sikes, Steve Liebman As Mr Bumble, NoraMae Lyng as The Widow Corney, Keith Perry as Mr. Sowerberry, and Patti Mariano as Mrs Sowerberry. Production is Directed & Choreographed by George Puello, Asst. Director/Choreographer Dorina Dilullo, Musical direction by Tom Kenaston, Set design is by George Puello, Costume design by Gail Balconi, Lighting design by Andrew Moser, and sound design by Jon Hatton
The cast of 23 will be augmented by seventeen children from the local area (double cast)
Jenna Dallacco – Greenburgh, NY* Jennifer Damiano – White Plains, NY*
Anthony R. Melillo – Ossining, NY* Julie Ann Tripaldi – Mohegan Lake, NY.*.
Nicholas R. Melillo – Ossining, NY * Brett Lupi – Elmsford, NY*
Madeline Rogan – White Plains, NY. * Madeline Rogan – White Plains, NY*
Peter Dylan Rogan – White Plains NY.* Peter Dylan Rogan – White Plains, NY*
Chelsey Alfredo – Goldens Bridge, NY. Ebony Force – Elmsford, NY*
Justin Coniaris – Katonah, NY* Jackson Wong – Pleasantville, NY*
David Rosenberg – Mahopac, NY* Noah Ruff – Croton-On-Hudson, NY*
Anthony J. Colangelo – Suffern, NY Noah Sterling – New Rochelle, NY
TJ Larke – Salisbury Mills, NY * Are Members of “The Westchester Dreamcoats”
