NewsPHOTO EXCLUSIVE: Inside the Rehearsal Studio with North Carolina Theatre's Oliver!, Starring Kevin GrayActor/photographer Matthew Simpkins, who plays the role of Noah Claypole in North Carolina Theatre's staging of Oliver!, offers an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the show in rehearsal.
By
Matthew Blank, Krissie Fullerton
July 17, 2012
"I had heard amazing things about North Carolina Theatre and the people there, so I knew I wanted to document the hard work we put in behind the scenes," says Simpkins. "The show Oliver! has been a part of my life since I was a young child performer and I am so excited to share these photos with the theatre community and fans!"
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PHOTO EXCLUSIVE: Inside the Rehearsal Studio with North Carolina Theatre's Oliver!, Starring Kevin Gray
PHOTO EXCLUSIVE: Inside the Rehearsal Studio with North Carolina Theatre's Oliver!, Starring Kevin Gray
Actor/photographer Matthew Simpkins, who plays the role of Noah Claypole in North Carolina Theatre's staging of Oliver!, offers an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the show in rehearsal. The production runs July 17-22. Read the Playbill.com story.
44 PHOTOS
North Carolina Theatre presents Oliver!
Matthew Simpkins
The dancers warm up for their first day of rehearsal.
Matthew Simpkins
This production features over 30 children! Yup, 30. Here they are singing about food.
Matthew Simpkins
Director/Choreographer Richard Stafford
Matthew Simpkins
Richard Stafford in rehearsal with our Oliver and Dodger, Sam Poon and Nicholas Kraft
Fagin, played by Kevin Gray, with his gang in rehearsal.
Matthew Simpkins
Kevin Gray as Fagin with Chase and Becky. Thank God for nametags.
Matthew Simpkins
Heather Patterson King as Nancy!
Matthew Simpkins
Would you lace my shoe? Nancy (Heather Patterson King) and Dodger (Nicholas Kraft) rehearse "I'd Do Anything"
Matthew Simpkins
Dodger (Nicholas Kraft) tells Nancy (Heather Patterson King) about his ambitious plans of fisticuffs.
Matthew Simpkins
The Creative Team, Edward G. Robinson (Musical Director), Michael Stafford (Director/Choreographer) and Jonathan Stahl (Assistant Director/Choreographer)
Matthew Simpkins
"You've got to pick a pocket or two", Oliver! Quality life lessons with Fagin (Kevin Gray).
Matthew Simpkins
The Bumbles are at it again! Featuring Sarah Knapp and Tim Caudle.
Matthew Simpkins
Some boys just never grow up.
Matthew Simpkins
Set and lights coming together for the first time!
Matthew Simpkins
Where are your name tags???
Matthew Simpkins
Tech!!!
Matthew Simpkins
Our amazing Musical Director and Associate, Edward G. Robinson and Andre Cerullo.
Matthew Simpkins
The Raleigh Memorial Auditorium
Matthew Simpkins
Beyond the fourth wall...
Matthew Simpkins
Kevin Gray as Fagin. An actor prepares.
Matthew Simpkins
Me with our Oliver and Dodger (Sam Poon and Nicholas Kraft)
Matthew Simpkins
Getting ready for all the amazing wigs in the show! Not me. I just wear hats.
Matthew Simpkins
Heather Patterson King gets her wig placed by the amazing Patti Delsordo! These hair and wardrobe people rock here at NTC!
Matthew Simpkins
Renee Rimland, our Production Stage Manager, going over her cues for "Noah's Dream Ballet".
Matthew Simpkins
Type casting at its finest with Stephen Tewksbury as Bill Sykes.
Matthew Simpkins
Elgin Giles "considering himself" stretched!
Matthew Simpkins
"Hey Dodge!" (Nicholas Kraft as Dodger)
Matthew Simpkins
Mr. Brownlow, played by Mr. Danny Norris.
Matthew Simpkins
Joe Moeller, this statue doesn't want to paint you. Let's go. I'm hungry.
Matthew Simpkins
The state capitol in Raleigh
Matthew Simpkins
Downtown Raleigh
Matthew Simpkins
A cast favorite for some Southern Cajun cooking!
Matthew Simpkins
Cajun food with Matthew Simpkins, Natalie Newman, Joe Moeller and Elgin Giles...my mouth was numb for several hours after.
Matthew Simpkins
Stupid statue dropped his hat...
Matthew Simpkins
Who doesn't love some Jimmy John's?!?!
Matthew Simpkins
It was one of the kid's birthdays!!! That means sugar for all!!!
Matthew Simpkins
My dressing roommate is so lazy. "Sleeping is what I do best" - Joe Moeller
Matthew Simpkins
Getting ready for some quality time at the Three Cripples. Natalie Newman, Matthew Simpkins, Elgin Giles, Shannon Lea Smith, Jonathan Stahl, Katie Lynch, Joseph Cullinane, Katie Mebane, Nikol Wolf, Joe Moeller and Alexis Van Venrooy as Bet.
Matthew Simpkins
Awwwww. So cute. They steal and murder people, what a team! Nicholas Kraft (Dodger) and Stephen Tewksbury (Bill Sykes)
Matthew Simpkins
Heather Patterson King givin' us some leg!
Matthew Simpkins
A view from stage left. Kevin Gray is "reviewing the situation"...
Directed and choreographed by Richard Stafford, the limited engagement continue through July 22.
Joining Gray are Sam Poon (Les Misérables national tour) in the title role (that's "Oliver Twist," from the Charles Dickens canon), Stephen Tewksbury (Miss Saigon, The Phantom of the Opera) as Bill Sykes, Nicholas Kraft as the Artful Dodger and Heather Patterson King as Nancy.
Oliver!, according to North Carolina Theatre, "vividly brings to life the ever-popular story of the young runaway orphan, colorful Artful Dodger, infamous Fagin and his gang of pickpockets, sinister Bill Sykes, nurturing and lovable Nancy and a host of memorable characters."
Featuring music and lyrics by Lionel Bart, Oliver! premiered in the West End in 1960 and began performances on Broadway in 1963.
The North Carolina Theatre is located at 3031 Barrow Drive in Raleigh, NC. For more information and tickets, call (919) 831-6941 ext. 6944 or visit NCTheatre.com.
