Lionel Bart’s Oliver!

Saline Area Players will perform Lionel Bart’s Oliver! at 7:30 PM October 20 & 21, and 2 PM October 22 at the Ellen A Ewing Performing Arts Center, Saline High School, 1300 Campus Parkway, Saline, MI 48176. Based on Charles Dickens’ Oliver Twist, this classic musical (book, music and lyrics by Lionel Bart) is directed by Rebecca L Groeb with musical direction by Robert Cindric.

Seating is general admission and tickets are $15 ($12 for those 12 years old and under). Group rates for 20 or more available as well. Tickets can be ordered via the website: www.salineareaplayers.org. They can also be reserved via email at oliver@salineareaplayers.org or by phone at 248-534-7160. Tickets will also be available at the door with cash or check.

This story set in Victorian England centers around the young orphan boy, Oliver (played by Michael Dineen), as he does his best to navigate the dark and gritty London underworld of theft and violence, desperately searching for a home, a family, and most importantly, love.

When Oliver is quickly befriended by the slightly older but much more street savvy, the Artful Dodger (Lucia Patti), he is welcomed into a gang of child pickpockets led by the conniving but charismatic, Fagin (Alan Day).

Suddenly, Oliver is falsely accused of a theft he did not commit. A kind and wealthy gentleman rescues him, to the dismay of Fagin’s violent sidekick, Bill Sykes (Richard Knapp). Caught in the middle is the warm-hearted and well-meaning Nancy (Kara Fay Cardella), who is trapped under Bill’s thumb but desperate to come to Oliver’s rescue.

Others in the adult cast are Lase Agbehi, Bonnie Black, Tess Carichner, Barbara Day, Jerry Doty, Lauren Ferin, Wendy Fritz, Philip Gibson, Sarah Gibson, Gary Glover, Rich Hamaan, Jimmy Lancaster, Delia Leon, Brent Lofgren, Alayna Musson, Christine Ozminkowski, Patti Ringe, Mary Rumman, Debra Warila, and Gilbert Warila.

The children in the cast include Harper Jane Adkins, Abby Austin, Neah Bloch, Ayden Burton, Olivia Cummings, Elijah DeCook, Chloe Dillen, Jane Dillen, Liam Dillen, Rowen Dillen, Lucy Dineen, Madeline Dineen, Madeline Finocchiaro, Andrew Hamaan, Sarah Hamaan, Katie Holmes, Luke Johnson, Quin Johnson, Mackenna Kofahl, Sophia Kopinski, Harrison Leon, Campbell Murphy, Gianpaolo Patti, Nathanyel Sarment, Parker Sitarski, Ava VerLee, Everett Warila, and Noor Zaitounh.

This favorite musical is appropriate for ages 8+. Parents should know that there is some violence in the show, and that there are also many children in the cast.