Gary Troy, Sara Sheperd and Nicholas Belton Lead Ten-Actor Oliver! at Human Race, Starting Nov. 29

By Adam Hetrick
29 Nov 2012

Joseph Medeiros and Blaise Bouschard
Joseph Medeiros and Blaise Bouschard
Photo by Scott J. Kimmins

Blaise Bouschard, Gary Troy, Sara Sheperd and Nicholas Belton are part of the Human Race Theatre Company's production of Lionel Bart's Oliver!, which debuts in a new ten-actor staging beginning Nov. 29 in Dayton, OH.

Alan Souza directs the musical, based on the Dickens classic "Oliver Twist," which has choreography by Emmy Award nominee Spencer Liff ("So You Think You Can Dance," Cry-Baby) and musical direction by Helen Gregory. Oliver! will run through Dec. 22.

Bouschard stars as Oliver, with Troy as Fagin, Sheperd as Nancy and Belton as Bill Sykes. The cast also includes Ian DeVine, Helen Gregory, Adam Lendermon, Joseph Medeiros, Chris Shea, Sara Sheperd and Scott Stoney. Jonah Sorscher covers the role of Oliver.

"Our rendition is set when the chronicles of Oliver Twist were all the rage, even as his fate remained a mystery," Souza said in a statement. "Our unlikely combination of revelers finds both great joy and enlightenment in enacting a pantomime of his tale as an entertainment, but in process they reveal their own struggles for survival, acceptance, and love as their identities with their characters merge."

Bart's 1963 musical adaptation of Charles Dickens' "Oliver Twist" earned a Tony Award for Best Composer and Lyricist. The popular musical includes the songs "As Long As He Needs Me," "Where Is Love?," "Food, Glorious Food," "Consider Yourself" and "Who Will Buy?"

Oliver! has set design by David A. Centers, costume design by Molly Walz, lighting design by John Rensel and sound design by Brian Retterer.

For tickets phone (937) 228-3630 or visit humanracetheatre.org.