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Health & Fitness

Now Appearing at the Westchester Broadway Theatre: Oliver

Oliver, inspired by the classic Charles Dickens novel, has been revived on stage at the Westchester Broadway Theatre in Elmsford and will run into early September, 2013. 

The original musical opened in London in 1960 but the show didn't make it to Broadway until January, 1963 while continuing to run in London. 

The movie version came out in 1968 and captured an Academy Award for Best Picture. A big-budget Hollywood remake of the film reportedly is in the planning stage.

The show's most enduring line, "Please sir, I want some more," is spoken by hungry orphan Oliver during the opening moments of the show. 

Briefly, the plot revolves around an orphan's descent into Headmaster Fagin's pickpocketing school. The show is heavy with dialogue as the plot unravels but once the tempo picks up it doesn't let up.

The score brings back to the stage many well-know songs include Food Glorious Food, Where is Love, Consider Yourself, I'd Do Anything, Oom Pah Pah, the touching Who Will Buy and the haunting As Long As He Needs Me. 

Lucy Braid plays the kind-hearted but doomed Nancy as if she was born for the role. A recent graduate of the NYU Tisch School of the Arts, she is a talented newcomer to Westchester Broadway Theatre. (But can anyone figure out how her character Nancy could love the murderous cad Bill Sikes?)

Cast and crew 

Sixth-grade Harrison, NY student Brandon Singel plays Oliver and Dobbs Ferry resident and seasoned Broadway veteran John Egan plays Mr. Bumble. John Anthony Lopez turns in a fine performance as the despicable but nevertheless funny Fagin, Lucy Braid (as mentioned) plays Nancy, Todd Ritch is charming as The Artful Dodger, Brian Krinsky is scary as Bill Sykes, and Regina Singel plays Widow Corney.

The ensemble includes Jessica Crilley, Brianna Gartenberg, Akira Golz, Danny Hammond, Jennifer Jonas, Jeremy Michael Lanuti, Victoria Lauzun, Peter Neureuther, Chase O’Brien, Cali LaSpina, Olivia Lombardi, Anthony Malchar, Gabriella Palminteri, Molly Perrine, Jesse Pellegrino, Sam Rodd, Nicole Sartor, Megan Scwartz, Christina Tompkins, Matthew Michael Uriniak, Taylor Vickers, Aly Weishaar and Scott Zimmerman.

Oliver is directed by John Fanelli, the founder of Standing Ovation Studios in Armonk. The behind-the-scenes staff includes Musical Director Kurt Kelley, Choreographer Carrie Silvernail, Set Designer Steve Loftus, Lighting Designer Bob D’Urso, Sound Designer Mark Zuckerman, and Production Stage Manager Julia LaVerde. Costumes are provided by Bottari & Case and coordinated by Derek Lockwood. Properties are supplied by Grumpy’s Props.

Oliver will be followed at the dinner-theater by Kiss Me Kate(September 12 to November 3) and Irving Berlin's White Christmas (November 7, 2013 to January 5, 2014). 

Prices and performances

Ticket prices include lunch or dinner and range from $54 to $80 per person plus tax, depending on day and time chosen. Beverage service and tips are not included in the ticket price. Discounts are available for large groups, children, students, and senior citizens at selected performances and special offers may appear on the website. 

Show times:
• Thursday, Friday and Saturday Matinees: Lunch at 11:30 a.m. and show at 1 p.m.
• Thursday and Friday Evenings: Dinner at 6:30 p.m. and show at 8 p.m.
• Sunday Matinees: Lunch at noon and show at 1:30 p.m.
• Sunday Evenings: Dinner at 5:30 p.m. and show at 7 p.m.

For reservations, call 914-592-2222. Reservations can also be made at  www.BroadwayTheatre.com.

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