Oliver!, With Panaro, DiVita, Smith, Preston, Lawton, Opens in Philly

By Kenneth Jones
November 18, 2009

Broadway's Hugh Panaro is Fagin in Walnut Street Theatre's holiday-season production of Lionel Bart's Oliver!, opening Nov. 18 after previews from Nov. 10 in Philadelphia.

Barrymore Award winner Mark Clements directs the classic musical based on the Charles Dickens novel "Oliver Twist." Performances play to Jan. 10, 2010.

Panaro (Lestat, Side Show, The Phantom of the Opera) is joined by Maggie Anderson, Josie Andrews, Bill Bateman, Kelley Faulkner, Scott Greer, Joe Jackson, Anthony Lawton as Bill Sikes, Sonny Leo, Mary Martello, Rob McClure, Michael Philip O'Brien, Peter Schmitz, Denise Whelan, Janine DiVita as Nancy, Robert Abdoo, Chelsey Clark, Kolina Janneck, Freddie Kimmel, John Peakes, Erin Reilly, Rebecca Robbins, Beth Wheeler and Troy Woodcroft.

In addition to the adults, child actors fill the stage. Gregory Smith of Media, PA and Sam Preston of Franklinville, NJ, are double cast in the title role; Brandon O'Rourke of Philadelphia and RJ Fattori of Glen Mills, PA are featured as the Artful Dodger.

The rest of the children's ensemble includes three dozen children, all local to the Philadelphia region. They include Jonathan Block, Timothy K. Johnson, Jahad Martin, Will McQuoid, Matthew O'Connor and Tommy Van Dean of Philadelphia; Gavin Becker of Villanova; Nicole R. Bosurgi of Turnersville, NJ; Gaby and Greg Bradbury of Ardmore, PA; Willa Capper and Arin Edelstein of Elkins Park, PA; Jacob Horner, Justin Cade Accardi and Danielle Leigh Rosenthal of Cherry Hill, NJ; Uvay Trivedi of Columbus, NJ; Casey T. Curcio of Marlton, NJ; Timmy Webb and Allison Sparrow of Haddonfield, NJ; Julyza Commodore of Newark, DE; Alexander Carr of Ringoes, NJ; Reese Diaz of Coplay, PA; Matt Ludovico of Logan Twp., NJ; Neil Goldenthal and Amadea Smith of Wayne, PA; Favian Harris of Coatesville, NJ; Colin O'Malley of Huntington Valley, PA; Conrad Sager of Kimberton, PA; Jillian Suprenant of West Chester, PA; Mary Rose Pomykacz of Lebanon, NJ; Seth Silverman of Penn Valley, PA; Daniel Flick of Gladwyne, PA; Evan Robert Smith of Gwynedd Valley, PA; Tyler McClellan of Doylestown, PA; Anthony Scarpone-Lambert of Chalfont, PA and Richard Fusco of Blue Bell, PA.

Oliver!, according to WST, "is the story of a young orphan boy who wanted 'more.' From the orphanage to the mean streets of London, the ever-optimistic Oliver strives to survive through thick and thin. This proves no easy task as the boy encounters both saints and sinners on his journey."

The creative team also includes musical director Douglass G. Lutz, scenic designer Todd Edward Ivins, lighting designer Jeff Nellis and costume designer Colleen Grady, plus choreographer Mary Jane Houdina (WST's 42nd Street and Hairspray).

Tickets are available by calling (215) 574-3550, ext. 6 or by visiting walnutstreettheatre.org.