Health & Fitness
Oliver! The Musical Comes to Wilmette Theater
"not a Disney musical, it doesn't have a happy ending but it is about life and the hardships and the entire preview audience was transfixed" said producer, Phillip Markle.
Wilmette Theatre will be taking audiences back into 1800 London with Oliver! The Musical this weekend.
This musical is recommended for ages 6 and up and is "not a Disney musical, it doesn't have a happy ending but it is about life and the hardships and the entire preview audience was transfixed" said producer Phillip Markle.
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Oliver! The Musical is based on Charles Dicken’s 19th century novel in which a young orphan, Oliver, is kicked out of an orphanage and forced to travel with thieves through London where he comes to realize the evils of the world around him.
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Markle says the director, "works every of the 22 actors to their core and challenges every single actor to go deeper."
Some of the actors are as young as 11 years old but that doesn't prevent the show from being complex and intricate.
"The choreography was hard to learn at first but we picked up on it and it's very upbeat and precise, I think the audience will be out of their seats and they'll really enjoy it," said 12-year-old Emma Bliwas.
Director Janet Lauer brings Charles Dickens' timeless classic about an orphaned young boy roaming the streets of London with a band of thieves to song and dance with numbers such as "Food Glorious Food", "Consider Yourself", and "As Long As He Needs Me".The actors worked tirelessly to create a musical that accurately recreates Dickens' in an exciting and alluring way.
"It's not about acting but about being someone. When we are all in character it'll make [the audience] feel like [they're] in the 1800's in London with Oliver," said 12-year-old Keaton Schiller.
This musical is suggested for children from ages 6 and up and is expected to be a charming, elaborate tale of the hardships of life and "staying pure and good even in your surroundings," said 13 year old, Emma Flannery.
Oliver! The Musical will be performed at the Wilmette Theater on Saturday, July 7 at 12:00 p.m. and on Sunday, July 8 at 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Tickets are $12 and can be purchased online at www.WilmetteTheatre.com/events/, or at the door.
