Hale Centre Theatre to Present "Oliver"

Hale Centre Theatre to Present "Oliver"

Utah’s Premiere Family Theatre pays homage to Charles Dickens’ Classic Tale.

Hale Centre Theatre (HCT), Utah’s Premiere Family Theatre, will present Charles Dickens’ classic “Oliver!” Oct. 10 through Dec. 3.

Based on Charles Dickens’ classic tale of Oliver Twist, “Oliver!” is the story of a young orphan boy looking for a place to call home. From the orphanage to the mean streets of London, the ever-optimistic Oliver strives to survive through triumph and adversity. Director David Tinney said he felt a particular responsibility to go back to Dickens’ original novel and extract as much of the renowned author’s true intent as possible.

“As a lifelong proponent for social change and an advocate for the multitudes of discarded and forgotten poor, Dickens used biting satirical narrative intended to bring the public’s focus to various contemporary evils,” Tinney said. “Yes, it is dark, gritty and deliberate. It is also radiant with hope, humanity, sacrifice, triumph and redemption. ‘Oliver!’ is a ‘reminder that we are all indeed our brother’s keeper.”

“Oliver!” features a book, lyrics and music by Lionel Bart. The original Broadway production opened on Jan. 6, 1963, ran for 774 performances and won three Tony Awards, including Best Composer and Lyricist, Best Conductor and Musical Director, and Best Scenic Design. The score contains Broadway classics including “Where is Love,” “Consider Yourself,” and “As Long As He Needs Me.” The story was made into a film in 1968.

HCT’s production stars Wally Inkley and Zachary Brown as Oliver, Barrett Ogden and Jeffrey Whitlock as Fagin, Geoffrey Beckstrand and Connor McMaster as The Artful Dodger, Jacquelyne Jones and Emily Bell as Nancy, and Paul Cartwright and Josh Richardson as Bill Sykes.

The show features direction and choreography by Tinney; music direction by Jennifer Hohl; costume design by Peggy Willis; technical direction and scenic design by Kacey Udy; sound design by Dan Morgan; production assistance by Tammy Morgan; and hair and makeup by Trisha Ison.

Performances are Monday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m. with matinées each Saturday at 12:30 and 4 p.m. Tickets may be purchased online at www.halecentretheatre.org, via telephone at 801-984-9000 or at the Hale Centre Theatre box office at 3333 South Decker Lake Drive, West Valley City, Utah.

In conjunction with the production, HCT is honoring the Granite Education Foundation as part of its “HCT Applauds” program to spotlight other non-profit organizations making a difference in the community. Just as the nearly starved orphan Oliver requested, “Please, sir, I want some more,” many local students and teachers are in need of more than what they are given. The Granite Education Foundation works to bridge that gap with fundraising efforts and programs such as Student Health Aid, Student Art Night, Cash for Classrooms and Adopt-a-School. HCT applauds their efforts to help students and teachers succeed in and out of the classroom.

The Granite Education Foundation will be highlighted in the theatre program and given a VIP night at the theatre to applaud their good works for Utah’s community.

Hale Centre Theatre
3333 South Decker Lake Drive
West Valley City, Utah

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