playbill vip

From the Director

That a born entertainer like Charles Dickens was intrigued by theater is no surprise. Even as he penned the novel Oliver Twist, Dickens imagined the work being adapted for the stage. A beloved and acclaimed author, Dickens traveled throughout Great Britain and even to America to give public readings of his works.  As his performing talents rivaled his genius as an author, the readings were immensely popular. Describing these events, Dickens’ biographer, Edgar Johnson, reported, “It was more than a reading; it was an extraordinary exhibition of acting … without a single prop or bit of costume, by changes of voice, by gesture, by vocal expression, Dickens peopled his stage with a throng of characters.” If only we could have witnessed such a performance!

In preparing tonight’s show, we have seen that Dickens put his gift for entertaining to good use, decrying the treatment of the disadvantaged in Victorian society. We begin at the workhouse, a public institution for orphans, abandoned children, impoverished adults, and the destitute elderly. As the name suggests, residents were given work to do, but received the simplest and most meager meals, and less than comfortable lodgings, so as to render the workhouse the very last resort for the poor. It is no wonder that a workhouse child would ask for “more”: more food, more warmth, more affection, more opportunities. Dickens provides consequences of that request, with colorful views of Victorian society, the street vendors and passers-by, the denizens of the underworld, the authority figures, and those known as “good society”.

Our young artists, kindred spirits of Charles Dickens, have worked long hours to capture the accents, the quirks, and the spirit of his characters.  We invite you to relax into a world which they create for you, to follow the adventures of the child who asked for more.

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Crew Who's Who

Sarah Kelly (Stage Manager) has participated in NHTO for the past four years. Oliver! is her 10th show. Her favorite show was Once Upon a Mattress. Sarah would especially like to thank Ms. Arth and Mrs. Semanchik for their dedication to the theatre department and their guidance

over the years. Sarah plans to continue working backstage during college.

                          Zack Westgate (Lights) Zack Westgate has worked the spotlight in the tech booth for the 2014 winter musical Damn Yankees, the 2014 spring cabaret, and this year's musical, Oliver!  He likes long walks on the beach and drumming.

Michael Soloway (Crew) Michael Soloway got involved with theater in the second grade in the production of Dracula the Musical on Broadway. In third grade he joined Franklin TheaterWorks and he has been a part since. He has gone to SCVTHS for acting musical theater and was trained in stage lighting, leading him to join stage crew in his junior year.