Lose yourself in the gritty backstreets of Victorian-era London during Footlight Theatre's upcoming performance of the musical, “Oliver!”
Showing the first three weekends of October, “Oliver!” is based on the classic Charles Dickens novel about a boy who wanted more. Orphaned Oliver Twist (Christian McDaniel) goes from mistreatment in the London workhouses to falling in with a gang of pickpockets led by the roguish Fagin (Bobby Komendera), the kindhearted Nancy (Alicia Ebaugh), and the menacing Bill Skyes (Billy Myers), before finally finding a home.
“Oliver!” boasts one of the largest casts to ever take the Footlight stage, starring 43 adults and children from across the region. Komendera and Ebaugh are regulars on the Footlight stage, along with Steve Rohe (Mr. Bumble), Emil Cripe (Mr. Sowerberry) and John Avila (Dr. Grimwig, also serving as the show's stage manager). Several of the young actors in this production got their start in Michigan City's popular Young People's Theatre Company.
Other cast members are Debbie Bartholomew (Widow Corney), Drew Holt (Artful Dodger), Val Pudlo (Mrs. Sowerberrry), Glen Percifeld (Mr. Brownlow), Isabell Pozos (Bet), Janice Rice (Mrs. Bedwin), Anthony Holt (Noah), Mira McDaniel (Charlotte), Colin Nittner (Charley), Karen Arden, Gary Bartholomew, Joy Davidson, Alexandra Dines, Kathi Jones, Amy McDaniel, Karol Valek, William Crane, Eleanor Crane, Cole Antrim, Kalea Collins, Liam Gowan, Madison Gresham, Aliviah K. Miller, Chase Lowery, Emily Nittner, Heidi Nittner, Leah Nittner, Paige Nittner, Armand Pozos, Isabella Shula, Cheyenne Sims, Josie Smith, William Tallackson, Veronica Thomas, Miykhi Woodard and Makayla Wysocki.
It's guaranteed your family will leave the theater humming one of the show's more recognizable tunes, like “Food, Glorious Food,” “Consider Yourself,” or “As Long As He Needs Me.” Director Laura Meyer has directed this lively musical before both at Footlight and elsewhere with her husband, Lee Meyer, providing musical direction. Violinist Lena Levi and drummer Noel Carlson will round out the band.
Laura Meyer said the family-friendly show is one of her favorites because it provides a riveting storyline.
“Even though the tale is set more than a century ago, it's still apropos today,” she said. “We still face many of the problems ‘Oliver!’ addresses, like domestic violence and orphaned children, but it also shows good always wins out in the end.”
“Oliver!” will be showing October 3-5, 10-12 and 17-19. Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for ages 12 and under.
Curtain is at 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and at 2 p.m. Sundays. Doors open 45 minutes prior to curtain.
Reservations will be held until 15 minutes prior to curtain unless secured by the presentation of a Footlight Season Gift Card or by prior payment in full. Reservations are recommended and may be made by calling 219-874-4035 or at www.footlightplayers.org.
A 2-for-1 coupon is available for opening night on the website. Artwork by Pine Elementary School students will be shown in the theatre’s lobby during the run of the show.
Auditions for Footlight’s next play, “Anne of Green Gables,” will be held at the theater Oct. 12 and 13 at 6 p.m. Director Eric Helmken is looking to cast three boys and four girls between the ages of 12 and 16, as well as several men and women of all ages. Footlight is always looking for stage managers and other volunteers to work on our shows, as well, so there are plenty of opportunities to get involved.
This family-friendly production of “Anne of Green Gables” will be staged the first two weekends of December. Footlight Theatre is located at 1705 Franklin St.