Entertainment : Act 1 adults and children preparing to perform 'Oliver' musical

Michala Martin (Nancy) claims to be the sister of Oliver (Tucker Mensen) and leads him away.

Tucker Mensen as Oliver sings about the challenges of life facing London orphans.

The cast of 'Oliver' rehearses on of its dance routines Monday on the Palace stage.

The Act 1 cast and crew of "Oliver" has been working for weeks and holding dress rehearsals at the Palace Theatre this week in preparation for this weekend's opening of the musical based on the Dickens novel "Oliver Twist."

"I like this musical because it's a contrast," says director Steve Arnold. The contrast, he explains, is between the lively music and the dark story of Oliver and his live among the pick-pockets and thieves in the seediest areas of 19th Century London. 

Another contrast: Although the musical focuses on many children who are orphans and join the band of thieves as a way to provide form themselves, many of the children in the cast are accompanied by their parents. 

Sophia Vasquez is a one of the girls who plays one of the Workhouse Boys; her father, Alex, plays the roles of Dr. Grimwig and Mr. Sowerberry. 

Casey Funk plays the role of the famous "Artful Dodger." His mother, Monica, is the assistant director, and his brother, Alex, is a member of "Fagin's Gang."

Charlie Cooling plays the role of Noah Claypool; his mother, Joan Cooling-Noeller, is the musical's choreographer. 

Maci Overturf, another girl who plays one of the Workhouse Boys, is joined on the cast by her sister, Emily, as well as her parents Chris (Mr. Bumble) and Holly (Widow Corney).

Workhouse Boys Parker and Emma Arnold join their mother, Sara, who is one of the musical directors and a member of the large chorus. 

Tucker Mensen plays the lead role of Oliver; his father, Mitch, plays the evil Bill Sykes, and his mom, Kendra, is part of the large chorus. Tucker's brother, Levi, is a member of the "Fagin's Gang." 

Raymond Goad is anohter "Workhouse Boy;" his mother, Jennifer, plays the role of the Chairwoman. 

Other siblings who appear in the musical include Caleb and Joshuah Rivera, Charlie and Joey Anderson, and  Austin and Alli Kemp. 

The show opens this Friday, Sept. 11. 

A summary, performance times and cast are listed below:

Sept. 11, 12, 18 and 19: 7 p.m. 

Sept. 13 and Sept. 20: 20 p.m. 

Director: Steve Arnold
Assistant Director: Monica Funk
Musical Directors: Sara Arnold, Judy Mitschelen
Choreographer: Joan Cooling-Noeller

 The curtain opens on the sinister interior of the workhouse and several pale-faced boys. Widow Corney (Holly Overturf), who runs the workhouse and Mr. Bumble (Chris Overturf), the parish beadle, serve the thin gruel. Oliver (Tucker Mensen) approaches Bumble with the entreaty, “Please sir, I want some more.” He is instantly subdued and locked up. Shortly after Oliver is led off by Bumble who sings the haunting Boy for Sale and Oliver is “sold” to the undertaker.

Oliver runs away, and is picked up in the streets by the Artful Dodger (Casey Funk) who cheers him up. Dodger leads him to Fagin’s (Larry Adams-Bowers) “home” where they are sent off on a pocket-picking expedition. The boys return later with stories of Oliver’s arrest, claims of innocence and transfer to the home of a rich old benefactor. Fearful that Oliver will give away their set-up, Fagin sends Nancy (Michala Martin) to get Oliver back.

At his new home, little Oliver has become a well-carried for boy. But the moment he sets foot outside the house, he is seized by Nancy and returned to Fagin. Meanwhile, Bumble and Mrs. Corney discover that Oliver has improved his situation in life and plot to get him back. Nancy, regretting her part in the capture of Oliver, plans to return him to his benefactor…What will the future hold for Oliver?

OLIVER!
Music, Lyrics and Book by Lionel Bart
Licensed by Arrangement with Oliver Productions, Ltd.
and Oliver Promotions, Ltd.

Presented by arrangement with
TAMS WITMARK MUSIC LIBRARY, INC.
560 Lexington Avenue, New York, New York 10022

Cast members:

Oliver Twist Tucker Mensen
Mr. Bumble Chris Overturf
Widow Corney Holly Overturf
Noah Claypole Charley Cooling
Mr. Sowerberry Alex Vasquez
Mrs. Sowerberry Bonnie Beyer
Charlotte Sowerberry Sarah Schminke
The Artful Dodger Casey Funk
Fagin Larry Adams-Bowers
Nancy Michala Martin
Charlie Bates Will Dudley
Bet (part doubled) Alyssa Hendrix / Grace Horst
Bill Sykes Mitch Mensen
Mr. Brownlow Rich Hainstock
Mrs. Bedwin Sherry Stout
Dr. Grimwig Alex Vasquez
Chairwoman Jennifer Goad

Workhouse Boys
Angela Ahrenstein
Emma Arnold
Parker Arnold
Alex Funk
Raymond Goad
Alli Kemp
Kailey Lazenby
Emily Levis
Levi Mensen
Raeganne Neilson
Maci Overturf
Caleb Rivera
Joshuah Rivera
Isabell White
Sophia Vasquez
Andrew Wirth

Fagin’s Gang
Charlie Anderson
Joey Anderson
Parker Arnold
Alex Funk
Raymond Goad
Austin Kemp
Levi Mensen
Eli Powers
Caleb Rivera
Joshuah Rivera
Andrew Wirth

Large Chorus
Angela Ahrenstein
Emma Arnold
Bonnie Beyer
Charley Cooling
Molly Cummings
Jennifer Goad
Alisssa Hendryx
Grace Horst
Alli Kemp
Kailey Lazenby
Emily Levis
Kendra Mensen
Raeganne Neilson
Emily Overturf
Macey Overturf
Sarah Schminke
Sherry Stout
Sharla Wall
Sydney Walvatne
Isabell White
Alex Vasquez
Sophia Vasquez