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"OLIVER"
Book, Music &
Lyrics by Lionel Bart
Directors:
JASON FORTNER (Director)
JAMES GRENELLE (Director/Choreographer)
MARK JELKS (Musical Director)
March 16-26, 2006 (sold out)
Held Over through April 1, 2006
OLIVER! The longest running British musical, opened in 1960 and
in New York in 1963.The movie, version with Ron Moody (the famous Fagin
from the London production) was released in 1969 and won an Oscar as the
Best Picture. The shows writer-composer-lyricist, Lionel Bart,
sweetened the plot of Charles Dickens’s classic Oliver Twist, added the
glorious score and lyrics which we know and sing, mixed it with an
ingenious set and ended up with a perennial hit!
Poor Oliver has been orphaned and left at the Workhouse. Having been
raised properly, he asks politely for more food and this makes him
persona non gratis there. So he is sold as an undertaker’s apprentice;
his innocent looks being valuable as a professional mourner. Oliver
escapes this dreadful situation and "fortunately" meets the Artful
Dodger, a streetwise young lad who promptly enlists him as one of
Fagin's gang of pickpockets. Naturally, innocent Oliver is the first to
be caught.
Oliver finds comfort with Mr. Brownlow who feels terribly guilty because
he had disowned his own daughter a few years before. However, Oliver is
not going to be forgotten by Fagin because he may incriminate the gang
with the law! Fagin sends the streetwise but kind hearted Nancy to
bring Oliver back. She does but regrets it and tries to help Oliver
escape again even though she knows it will get her into serious trouble
with her man, Bill Sykes, who is Fagin's henchman.
Mr. Brownlow discovers that his daughter is dead and that Oliver is, in
reality, his grandson when the head of the workhouse tries to inveigle
money from him. It is too late, for Oliver cannot be found.
As Nancy tries to return Oliver, Bill catches them and kills her. He
takes Oliver but is also killed and Oliver is safely returned to his
grandfather.
Francis Wilson Playhouse is delighted to be able to bring you this great
musical - OLIVER!
Meet the Directors
 JASON
FORTNER (Director) Jason has been working at FWP since 1974,
appearing as a child actor in Finishing Touches, Life With Father (1980)
and She Loves Me. He staged our very first musical, Very Good Eddie and
has since directed more than eight wonderful musicals for us. Those
shows included adaptations of Naughty Marietta and Rose Marie, fitting
them beautifully to our FWP stage. In the 2004-2005 season he directed
our Lary Award winning La Cage aux Folles and earlier this season
directed and starred in Barnum!. Jason has won multi Suncoast Theatre
"Lary" Awards, and has worked for nearly all of our local theatres.
Regular theatre goers know if Jason has directed a local musical it will
be excellent theatre. As Creative Director for Wizard Studios
International, Jason creates specialty theme shows and events
worldwide. When not at a theatre, he teaches at Eckerd College with the
Elder Hostel & Senior College programs.
 JAMES
GRENELLE (Director/Choreographer) - On stage, James has appeared in
such shows as Crazy For You, (SPLT) My Favorite Year (EOT), Dames at Sea
(FWP,) Tintypes (EOT), George M! (SPLT) and Forever Plaid (Fl. Tour) in
roles which have won him several Lary Awards. His
Direction/Choreography credits include: The Man Who Came to Dinner
(FWP), Charley's Aunt (RST) Anything Goes (FWP)(Lary Award), Sex and
Sensibility (GCP) and he continues to work as FWP's resident Lighting
Designer. James has traveled extensively through parts of England,
Spain, Puerto Rico and the U.S. working as a comic actor for Wizard
Studios. He is currently employed as a substitute teacher with the
Pinellas County Schools. He will be directing our upcoming productions
of Stepping Out and Francis Wilson; the Musical in April and June 2006.
James thanks JF, Mark, the cast, his mom, Pooky, Colleen and JT.
 MARK
JELKS (Musical Director) (2006
Lary Award Winner) - Mark was Musical Director for our last
season's Anything Goes and has worked for FWP in past. Teacher,
musician, dancer, Mark Jelks has been a part of nearly every aspect of
the performing arts. Mark trained as a dancer with Dame Sonia Arova at
the Alabama School of Fine Arts and pursued a dual major of music and
dance at Birmingham-Southern College. He has performed as a dancer
internationally and upon his return to the United States conducted
musical theatre for national tours, musical directing such shows as
Evita, Little Shop of Horrors, A Chorus Line, and Sweeney Todd. In 1994
he was the pianist and casting assistant for theTony Award winning
revival of Carousel at New York City's Lincoln Center and the highly
acclaimed Broadway production of Mathew Bourne's Swan Lake. Mark was
inducted into the national registry of "Who's Who" for excellence in the
field of dance in 1997. He would like to thank his partner Anthony for
his never ending support.
Meet the Cast
Fagin
Rick Kistner
Bill Sykes James
Demetrius
(2006 Lary Award Winner)
Nancy
Debi Guthery
Oliver Twist
Hunter Uline
Dalton Hamilton
(2006 Lary Award Winner)
Mr. Bumble
Bill Sutschek
Widow Corney
Gail Johnson
Mr. Sowerberry/ensemble Jim Abegglen
Mrs. Sowerberry /
Strawberry Seller/ensemble Kathleen Edwards
The Artful Dodger
Austin Ciliberti
Bet
Brittany Betts
Mr. Brownlow
Tom Frawley
Mrs. Bedwin/ensemble
Doris Cerio
Old Sally/ensemble - Margaret Boylan
Charlie Bates/Artful Dodger (understudy)- Alex DeCosmo,
Dr. Grimwig/ensemble - Thom Duke ,
Knife grinder/ensemble - Greg Giannuzzi,
Old lady/ensemble - Pat Hughes,
Rose seller/ensemble - Molly Jacobson,
Long song seller/ ensemble - George Lynch ,
Milkmaid/ensemble - Gloria Moranski ,
Noah Claypole - Nathan Porter ,
Charlotte/ensemble - Kayla Tyson ,
Workhouse boys/Fagin's
Gang:
Brett Bowcott, Brendan Burke, Patrick Burke, Aubrey
Cheek, (2006 Lary Award Winner) Jordan Merker,
Chandler Sheldon, Kyle Sheldon,
Christian Taylor, Tyler Vaal, & Brian Wiggins
Ensemble:
George Auxier, Trever Auxier, Catherine Burke, Cecilia Burke,
David Edwards, John Hughes, Ellie LeVine, Carole Medvesky, Mary
Jo Routzahn,
JIM ABEGGLAN (Mr. Sowerberry) - In 9th grade Jim was cast in
Cheaper By The Dozen and found he could make people laugh - he was
hooked. He's lived in the area 3 years and this is his local debut.
Love to son, Ryan, sister, Nancy, friends, the gang at Royal Palms and
the New Purpose Church.
GEORGE AUXIER ( Ensemble) - This is my first time to be "in" a
show as I am usually in the background supporting my son Trever. It was
his idea for me to join in and, so far, I'm having fun.
TREVER AUXIER (Ensemble) - Trever says, that this may be the
third time he's done this show but, it's always a great experience.
Unfortunately, it's around an hours drive from his New Port Richey
home!
BRITTANY BETTS (Bet) - Brittany is a graduate of our summer Teen Arts
Program and this is her debut FWP production. She studies ballet with
Mark Jelks every weekend and she's glad to have the chance to perform in
this show.
BRETT BOWCOTT (Pickpocket) - Brett is in the 5th grade at Bay
Pointe Elementary. He's a member of their chorus and has performed in
their Haunted House. He has appeared in The Wizard of Oz (SPLT), and
Cat On A Hot Tin Roof (GCP). He enjoys acting, skateboarding, soccer
and singing.
COLLEEN BOYLAN (Stage Manager) - Oliver! marks Colleen's eighth
show at FWP. She has performed in How To Succeed, Anything Goes and La
Cage Aux Folles and has worked backstage on Naughty Marietta, The Music
Man, Of Thee I Sing, and most recently, Dames At Sea.
MARGARET BOYLAN (Old Sally) - Margaret is glad to be back at FWP.
She has fond memories of her past shows here; Rose Marie, How To Succeed
and, most recently, Anything Goes - she played the china man, Ling.
BRENDAN BURKE (Pickpocket) - Brendan is 10 and in the 5th
grade. He enjoys performing for whoever will pay attention! You've
seen him here in our production of Music Man.
CATHERINE BURKE (Ensemble) - Catherine is 14 and in the 9th
grade. She devotes lots of her time to dance, performing ballet and
jazz with the Pinellas Dance Workshop. She was "Peter Pan" for PLACE
drama and danced and sang in our production of Music Man.
CECELIA BURKE (Ensemble) - Cecelia and her three children are
thrilled to be in a musical at FWP again as a family! Lots of love to
Ken (Dad), who's been enjoying a quiet house during rehearsals and
shows.
PATRICK BURKE (Pickpocket) - Patrick is 12 and in the 6th grade.
He loves to sing and is really enjoying learning to be a pickpocket!
DORIS CERIO (Mrs. Bedwin) - This is Doris' FWP debut. Her most
recent appearances elsewhere were in My Fair Lady (TSPAC), and Guys and
Dolls (Richey Suncoast).
AUBREY CHEEK (Pickpocket) - (2006
Lary Award Winner) Aubrey, an 11 year old from Safety
Harbor, is thrilled to make her FWP debut in Oliver! (even if it is as a
boy!). Her prior credits include; The Sound of Music (EOT), and The
Music Man (SHMS). "Thanks Jason, James, Mark, and Colleen for a
wonderful experience!"
AUSTIN CILIBERTI (Artful Dodger) - Austin is 13 and this is
Austin's 19th show. He thanks his voice coach, Karen Bail, and his
parents David and Collette for their support, and dedicates his
performance to his grandmother who is battling breast cancer. "I love
you Grandma."
ALEX DECOSMO (Charlie) - Alex's passion for theatre was ignited
at Sunflower School, were he performed in 3 of Shakespeare's plays. He
has appeared at SPLT and American Stage and is currently involved with
Venue Actors Studio. He is excited to be performing at FWP.
JIM DEMETRIUS (Bill Sykes) - (2006
Lary Award Winner)Jim just played good-hearted Ben,
the kind nephew, in The Sunshine Boys (FWP) and here he's been cast
against-character to play a "villain". Even as the bad-guy, Jim thanks
his girlfriend, Maria, for her support and dedicates his performance to
his mother, Pat.
THOM DUKE (Dr. Grimwig) - Thom is a "newbie" from New York and
has done "theatre" ever since he can remember. He has just finished
stage-managing The Foreigner for FWP and so is already a two time
veteran here.
DAVID EDWARDS (Ensemble) - David played Zoltan in My Fair Lady (TSPAC).
You've seen him in FWP's Brigadoon, Naughty Marietta, Music Man, Of Thee
I Sing, La Cage Aux Folles and now, Oliver!. To my wife, Kathleen,
"It's going to be another fun year!!"
KATHLEEN EDWARDS (Mrs Sowerberry) - Kathleen played Eliza in My
Fair Lady (TSPAC). Other credits include Best Little Whorehouse (EOT),
and amongst her many FWP appearances won a Lary Award as Fiona in
Brigadoon. She's glad to be working with Jason and James again. XXXO
to husband Dave.
TOM FRAWLEY (Mr. Brownlow) - Tom is originally from the Chicago
area. He is a veteran performer at FWP and other local venues and he is
pleased to be part of this production of Oliver!
GREG GIANNUZZI (Ensemble) - Despite being well past twenty, Greg
still holds hopes of playing Oliver...at least for one performance.
DEBI GUTHREY (Nancy) - Debi is happy to be making her FWP debut
with Oliver! Favorite credits include Mame, Sylvia (Lary Award), Annie
and Sweet Charity.
DALTON HAMILTON (Oliver) - (2006
Lary Award Winner) Dalton made his debut at FWP in Music
Man and is thrilled to be back. He would like to thank all his family
and friends for their love and support. He dedicates this show to his
cousin, Scott, and to God. "I couldn't have done it without you."
JOHN HUGHES (Ensemble) - "Oliver thought he had a tough life in
London? He should have been born in Harlem, New York City, like I was.
Then he'd see that his life in London was a piece of cake!!"
PAT HUGHES (Old Lady) - This is Pat's fourth show at FWP. She's
delighted to be "playing" an "old lady" in Oliver. "Thanks Jason, James
and Mark - you make it all happen!! Love Ya!"
MOLLY JACOBSON (Ensemble) - Molly is in 6th grade at St. Paul
Catholic School and loves acting. Recent shows have been King Island
Christmas (American Stage) and Carmen (Opera Tampa).
GAIL JOHNSON (Widow Corney) - A Lary nominee for Favorite Actress
in a comedy for her part in Life with Father (FWP) Gail's other FWP
credits include Auntie Mame and Barnum. She sends a huge thank you to
Jason, James, Mark, and this great cast and crew; and kisses to her
hubby and kids.
RICK KISTNER (Fagin) - FWP audiences have seen Rick here in
Barnum, How To Succeed and Of Thee I Sing and he's just completed I Hate
Hamlet (GCP). Rick expresses his respect and admiration for the Oliver!
Co-directors Jason Fortner and James Grenelle both of whom he's known
since 1993.
ELLIE LEVINE (Ensemble) - Ellie is the matriarch of an acting
family of 5 children and her husband of 27 years, Dr. Mitch LeVine.
They've all appeared many times in Jason Fortner directed musicals since
the early 1990's. You last saw her here as the china man, Ching, in
Anything Goes.
GEORGE LYNCH (Ensemble) - This is George's debut at FWP. He has
performed and done technical work for community theatre in New York, New
Port Richey and TSPAC. He's happy to be working with Jason, James and
Mark. "Break a leg everyone."
CAROL MEDVESKY (Ensemble) - Dr. Carole has thoroughly enjoyed
working with these directors for the 1st time. Oliver! is her 2nd local
theatre experience as she also performed in Oklahoma (EOT). She thanks
friends, family and dental patients for their continued support and
prayers.
JORDAN MERKER (Pickpocket) - Jordan in the 5th grade at Safety
Harbor Elementary School and he's happy to be making his acting debut at
FWP. He thanks Jason and James for giving him this opportunity and his
sister, Haley, for encouraging him to audition.
GLORIA MORANSKI (Milkmaid) - Gloria is happy to be working with
theatre friends from How To Succeed (FWP), Sound of Music and My
Favorite Year (EOT). She has also performed in a Snoops Production
murder mystery. "Thanks, Joel, Jeremy and Tim for your encouragement!"
NATHAN PORTER (Noah Claypole) - Nathan fell in love with acting
in the 8th grade and has never stopped. He graduated from Edutech
Centers for Massage Therapy and plans to follow both careers. "I thank
my loved ones; without them I wouldn't have anything." "Break a leg
everyone!"
MARY JO ROUTZAHN (Ensemble) - Mary Jo is excited about appearing
in her 1st FWP show. Her avocation is music; she plays piano, performs
in musicals and all the while enjoys the company of old friends and new
ones. "Thanks to Mom and Dad for all their support."
CHANDLER SHELDON (Pickpocket) - An 8 year old honor roll student
at Tarpon Elementary, Chandler is making his musical debut. He has
performed in the ballets Cinderella and Nutcracker. He studies ballet
and hip-hop, loves to perform and says, "Look out for the Sheldon clan!"
KYLE SHELDON (Pickpocket) - Kyle is 10 and an honor roll student at
Tarpon Elementary. A full time ballet student, he is interested in
pursuing a dance career and has performed in Cinderella and Nutcracker.
Keep your eyes on him; he'll be famous one day!
BILL SUTSCHEK (Mr. Bumble) - Last seen at FWP in Over The River and
Through The Woods, Bill has performed in I Do, I Do, Forum, Death of A
Salesman, and Barefoot In The Park. Bill has also directed many shows;
among them, The Prince, Lenny and Sound of Music.
CHRISTIAN TAYLOR (Pickpocket) - Making his debut in this production,
Taylor is also the youngest cast member. He sends special thanks to
Jason, James and Colleen for being so great to work with. He dedicates
his performance to God.
KAYLA TYSON (Charlotte) - Happy to be back after doing Barnum and Sugar
at FWP, Kayla is happy to play a character so obnoxious and loud, after
doing such a good job of it in the other shows (just kidding). "Thanks
James, Jason and family - especially Mom for driving me here!"
HUNTER ULINE (Oliver) - Hunter has performed often, including Fiddler On
The Roof, Carousel, and Music Man. He is a two time National Grappling
Champion in karate. "Many thanks to my Mom and Dad, my sisters,
Victoria, Elizabeth and Lily, - as well as to God."
TYLER VAAL (Pickpocket) - Tyler is a student at Leila Davis Elementary
and is an experienced performer with the American Dance Academy and West
Florida Youth Ballet. He would like to thank the directors and his
parents for allowing him the chance to perform.
BRIAN WIGGINS (Pickpocket) - Brian, a 2nd grader at Wellington School,
has appeared in Carmen (TBPAC) and Phantom of the Opry (Galaxy Center
of the Arts). He's also appeared in TV commercials. In addition to
acting, he enjoys soccer, baseball and electronic games.
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