Oliver - A production of the Prairie Arts Community Theater

Oliver! is the musical adaptation of Charles Dickens’ “Oliver Twist,” the tale of a young boy’s search for love which takes him from a poorhouse to the streets of London.

            Oliver is played by Doran Cotter of Princeton. Cotter has appeared in three other plays and likes portraying a child of the 1850s.

            As the main character, Cotter has had to learn a lot of lines and songs.

            “I listened to the songs about 50 times on my iPod,” he said.

            Another character central to the story is Fagin. He is in charge of a band of young thieves who take Oliver in when he gets to London.

            Dave Roden of Princeton plays Fagin and said,

            “Fagin is one of the most delicious roles in musical theater. He’s totally unscrupulous, but funny and adorable. I’m having a blast!”

Mr. Bumble, played by Ron McCutchan of Princeton runs the poorhouse where Oliver is born and spends part of his young life.’

“I’m enjoying the attempt to terrorize the young actors of Princeton as Mr. Bumble,” McCutchan said, “even if they insist that I’m not scary.”

            Other actors in play are Anson Murray as the Artful Dodger, Rachel Gorenz as Nancy, Pete Hamilton as Bill Sykes, Chad Brokaw as Dr. Grimwig, Kelly Autrey-Webber as Widow Corney, Brock Cheshier as Mr. Sowerberry, Shelley Gorenz as Mrs. Sowerberry, Terri Schlindwein as Mrs. Bedwin, Bob Davidson as Mr. Brownlow, Abby Bickett as Bet, Kavita Patel as Charlotte, Matthew VanDenBussche as Noah Claypole, Logan Wilde as Drummer, Al Baldonado as Charley Bates, Jennifer Rexius as Old Annie, and Karen Newby as Old Sally.

Fagin’s Boys and Poorhouse Boys are Fox Webber, Fern Webber, Emma Roden, Taylor Tieman, Cameron Tieman, Vickie Tieman, Preston Milliron, Emma Mosier, Kyle Kinnamon, Sabrina Bickett, Eliza Young, Dylann Hall, Alex Castaneda, and Shannon Cotter.

            Members of the chorus include Alison Puetz, Taylor Jensen, Dylan Carlson, Paul Schlindwein, and Allison Jensen (who also serves as Stage Manager). Sets have been built by Roger Perkins, and lights are being handled by Mick Johnson and Ryan Jensen.

            Director/Musical Director is David Gorenz; Children’s Director is Rachel Gorenz;

Accompanist is Pam Gonigam; and the producer is Shelley Gorenz.

            About the selection of Oliver! David Gorenz said, “We selected Oliver! to support Princeton KidLit.”

            KidLit will be a family event encompassing all aspects of children’s literature and will emphasize the importance and fun of reading. It will take place on South Main Street in Princeton on Saturday, Sept. 25 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

            Tickets for Oliver! are $8.00 and are available from the Prairie Arts Council Ticket office on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p. m. and Sundays from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Or by calling Kelly Autrey-Webber at 815-876-1106.

Prairie Arts Council programming is funded in part by grants from the Illinois Arts Council and the Illinois Valley Fine Arts Trust