The Scrapbook

Oliver! by Charles Dickens Music, Lyrics and Book by Lionel Bart

When:

May / June 2004

Where:

Broadway West Theatre Company, Fremont California (Co Produced with Star Struck Productions)

Who:

Director: Lori Stokes Asst. Director:  Angela Matthews Costumes: Angela Matthews Orchestra: Bob Moss Lighting Design: Joe Jubilado Lighting Operator: Siobahn Thompson Cast:  Matthew Silar, Daniel Schonhaut, Ross Arden Harkness, Belinda Maloney, Jack Larson, Jami Wallace, Stacy Lynn Bell, Linsey Poulton, Matthew Sa, Jeff Bryant, Jordan Aragon, Ray Jospeh, Karyna Frazier, Frances Petersen, Sarah Thomsen, Sean Carson-Hull, Michael Farnia, Michelle Foletta, James Huang, Valentina Peteira, Jeremy Bontadelli, Peter Denyer, Nicole Guzolek, Laura Henriksen, Jordan Joly, Hayley Joly, Alison Lenci, Amy Mendonca, Marie Claire Mendonca, Rosie Peteira, Shanna Selsor, Rochelle Stone, Kelsey Thompson.

Production Synopsis:

Charles Dicken's dark classic about an orphan boy who wants more.  Nothing like Victorian age poverty, crime and pathos to make you feel like bursting into song.  Lori Stokes does an excellent job keeping this unruly mob coherent.  But this portion of the mob found it near impossible to stay sane with the kids back stage who apparently do not understand the words "be quiet". Some of the adult cast had the same problem.  While the show itself ended up being very good, this had to be one of the most unpleasent experiences of my theatrical career. Luckily, as Mr. Bumble I did not need to like the kids, so that part was easy. I shall never work with a large group of children again and it is unlikely that I will do another musical.  All through this production I could only remember the words of the late, great Sam Kinison who said:                                                    "I don't condone child abuse...I UNDERSTAND IT!"

The Photos

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Mr. Bumble (Ross Arden Harkness)  will smite thee with his mace! (Photo by rossharkness.com)