 The Ladies Man Professional Equity Play Feb. 17-Mar. 4, 2012 |
Nov. 26-Dec. 12, 2010
Sitnik Theatre of the Lackland Center
CSC Presents the Musical Oliver! This Holiday Season
in the New Lackland Center
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Called "the perfect Christmas matinee", the musical Oliver! will herald in the holiday season with performances Nov 26th through Dec 12th in the new Sitnick Theatre of the David and Carol Lackland Center at 715 Grand Ave, on the campus of Centenary College. Adapted from the classic tale by Charles Dickens, the play tells the tale of the orphan boy, Oliver Twist, who is swept into a band of pickpockets led by the wily Fagin in 19th century London.
Hailed as a masterpiece, the musical Oliver! displays the talents of composer Lionel Bart at his best. Overflowing with familiar show-stopping musical numbers such as "Consider yourself, Who Will Buy", "Where is love?" and "As Long as He Needs Me," audiences " will whistle the tunes of this heartwarming play as they exit the theatre" as one review stated.
The curtain opens up on a sinister interior of a workhouse, where boys pile in to sing the opening number "Food Glorious Food!" The young Oliver Twist, after eating his small portion of gruel, asks innocently, "Please sir, may I have some more?" Oliver ultimately flees the workhouse run by the heartless Mr. Bumble, traveling to London where he meets the Artful Dodger and is recruited to pick pockets for the incorrigible Fagin. There, Oliver finds a friend in Nancy, neither of them fit for a life of crime.
Director / Choreographer
Broadway veteran Michael Blevins will direct and choreograph the cast of over 50 as the Centenary Stage Company christens the 500-seat Sitnick theater with the sound of tap dancing and high kicks in the first ever musical to be performed in the new space. Blevins, (Broadway's Bring Back Birdie, Little Me, and The Tap Dance Kid) has led CSC's acclaimed Young Performers Workshop (YPW) for over 15 years. The YPW offers conservatory training with an emphasis on musical theatre to young performers ages 8-18 from the Skylands region and beyond. Blevins is also widely known for his portrayal of Mark in Sir Richard Attenborough's film A Chorus Line, and was also featured in the movie Chaplin. He has worked with innumerable noted directors and choreographers during his career, including Bob Fosse, Woody Allen, Vivian Matalon, and Joe Layton.
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"Terrific is surely the best word to describe the Centenary Stage Company's production of Lionel Bart's "Oliver" now on the stage of the new and very comfortable Sitnick Theatre of the Lackland Center in Hackettstown." "Oliver! is an absolute delight to see and hear." "We walked to our car following the Saturday night performance singing some of the wonderful songs, e.g. "As Long As He Needs Me" and 'Who Will Buy,' as were other car-bound theater-goers. When did you last do that?" "...can clearly be enjoyed by all members of the family...fine actors, wonderful hummable music, happy ending and not a single 'naughty' word." "...brought to life beautifully by Broadway and film veteran, Michael Blevins, who not only directed, but choreographed the large cast." "In the stand-out "Who Will Buy" production number, we counted 32 adult performers. Possibly, only a theater facility, such as the Centenary Stage Company, home-based in a college community with a highly respected Theater Department, and with a Young Performers Workshop program, could possibly mount a musical of this scale." "...orphan boy, Oliver Twist, played impressively by young Anthony Zas" "Fagin is played to evil perfection, and with a great voice, by the CSC artistic director, Carl Wallnau. His show-stopping number is "Reviewing the Situation." "The wonderful theater word 'show-stopper' also belongs to Lea Antolini-Lid as Nancy. She is a fine actress and singer who delivers the show's most popular, and emotional, song, 'As Long As He Needs Me.' " "Colleen Wallnau Smith...provides wonderful comedy relief as Widow Corney" "The supporting cast is also blessed with outstanding voices... Tanya Wheelock as the Rose Seller, Christine Mase as the Strawberry Seller and Saquan Williams as the Long Song Seller." "The entire cast is very ably supported by a fine orchestra directed by Gabe Toth." "Production values are first rate; Joyce Liao designed the lighting, Brian Flynn designed the clever multi-step set, Julia Sharp designed the costumes." "In short, when the curtain came down the audience was heard to say the greatest compliment an audience can give to performers beyond applause... 'Please sir, may I have some more?'" Rick Busciglio, examiner.com™ New York [Full Review] "This must be the best theatre bargain in years... Tony winning score...dozens of impressive actors...very comfortable seats...cost..." "...Director/Choreographer Michael Blevins...dipped into the strong acting pool of his Young Performers Workshop." "Oliver is admirably played by the fully prepared Anthony Zas... natural musical comedy moves...confident dancer...makes the theatergoers care about the poor orphan..." "...Carl Wallnau who captures Fagin's faux elegance....while also showing his dark side...but Wallnau makes him a genuine human being." "Lea Antolini-Lid is a strong Nancy." "But the best part of the show is seeing the kids do so well." Peter Filichia, The Star-Ledger [Full Review] "...none are more unique than the enjoyable Centenary Stage Company production of 'Oliver!'" "...the huge and talented cast assembled..." "...wisely chose Blevins to direct this lively musical..." "...played by Wallnau's wife, the always welcome Broadway veteran Colleen Smith Wallnau." "...this one-of-a-kind ensemble nearly overwhelms the audience with enthusiasm and talent. In particular, the big dance numbers are especially well-done on the vast Sitnick stage, which for the first time makes it possible for Centenary to mount a production of this magnitude." "Even the children are on top of the tricky choreography, no doubt thanks to Blevins' experience both with the discipline and his young charges." "[Zas as Oliver]... hit his marks and showed off a pleasing singing voice with his big number, "Where is Love.'' "Among the pros, Wallnau clearly stood out as a devilish Fagin... [singing] "You've Got to Pick a Pocket or Two'' into an early highlight." "Lea Antolini-Lid, also shines brightly as Nancy...talented performer in a very grown-up role, which also gives her a chance to show off a truly beautiful singing voice." "Osborn Focht...is another standout as Sikes." "Justin Boccitto... makes a triumphant return to Centenary as the grown-up pickpocket famously known as The Artful Dodger...cheery, confident manner are backed up by limber legs and strong comic timing." "With so many moving parts, there's not enough space to praise the all of the nearly 50 cast members individually, so let's conclude with one more selling point: value... an affordable and special family treat." "The downside is that "Oliver!'' closes on Dec. 12..." William Westhoven, DailyRecord.com [Full Review] |
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 Photo L-R: Dave Schffler, Colleen Smith Wallnau [not facing, on bench left] Daniel Marion, Cydney Black, Skye Kenyon, Nick Sica, [facing camera, bench right] Jacob Crisafull, Jenna Black, Erin Martire.) Mr. Bumble and Widow Corney send the Orphans to bed in the Centenary Stage Company production of Oliver! the musical, through Dec 12 in Hackettstown. |
| Oliver! - New Photo Gallery | ||
| Select any image for closer view and arrow through larger images |
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| Bumble,
Oliver and Snow! |
Fagin's Gang, Oliver and Fagin | Oliver! Orphans |
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| Oliver! - More Please | Oliver, Bill Sikes and the Gun | Om Pa Pa |
Playright
Lionel Bart
The Cast
The cast will feature the talents of many professional actors including:
- Carl Wallnau, Artistic director of CSC as "Fagin" (Broadway: Titanic, Orlando Shakespeare Festival, Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival)
- Justin Boscitto (director choreographer Circle in the Square NYC)
- Osborne Focht (Broadway: Capeman, CSC, Tartuffe and Rounding Third)
- Colleen Wallnau Smith (Broadway: Crazy for You)
- Dave Scheffler (Pennsylvania Shakespeare)
- Stephen Davis (Assistant Professor of Theater Centenary)
- Lea A Lid (Assistant Professor of Theater, Centenary) and
- Anthony Zas (Hackettstown) as Oliver (YPW student)
In this inaugural year of the world-class performing arts facility now in Hackettstown - the David and Carol Lackland Center - the production of Oliver!" celebrates all-things-theatrical in the community and region, and includes an plethora of talented performers from the region, from the CSC YPW program, and from the Centenary College Theater Department.
The cast also includes:Professional / Regional Actors:
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Steven Bidwell (NYC) |
James Nester (Bethlehem) |
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Tanya Wheelock (Denville) |
Jon Bodi |
Young Performers Workshop Performers:
Oliver! is a Centenary Stage Company production that also features many of our talented YPW performers.
Schedule
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Oliver! runs Nov. 26 – Dec. 12 with shows Thurs. evenings at 7:30pm (Family Night-with
two-for-one tickets available at the door on the night of the performance), Fri. and Sat. nights at 8pm and Sundays at
2:30pm, with additional weekday matinees on Fri., Nov. 26 (PREVIEW), Wed., Dec. 1 and Wed. Dec. 8 at 2:30pm, as well
as a school performance on Tues. Dec. 7 / 10 am for regional students.
| Nov./Dec. 2010 - Oliver! The Musical | |||||
| Wed. Mat. 2:30pm |
Thurs. Eve. 7:30pm |
Fri. Mat. 2:30pm Preview |
Fri. Eve. 8pm |
Sat. Eve. 8pm |
Sun. Mat. 2:30pm |
| 26 | 26 | 27 | 28 "First Sundays" |
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| 1 | 2 Family Night |
x | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| 8 | 9 Family Night |
x | 10 |
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12 Access- ibility |
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About the David and Carol Lackland Center
 Sitnik Theater of the Lackland Performing Arts Center |
The Centenary Stage Company has found its new home with construction the Carol and David Lackland Center (located at 715 Grand Ave, Hackettstown), completed in August, 2010. With a 22,000-square-foot performance space, the facility is the most sophisticated performing arts venues in northwest New Jersey. The center includes a new state-of-the-art 500-seat theatre (Sitnik Theater), a black box theater (The Edith Bolte Kutz ’42 Theater), a dance studio, scene shop, a costume shop, green room and dressing rooms. In addition to housing the theatre, the 68K square foot Lackland Center is home to a variety of cultural activity, and including WNTI, the College's listener-supported public radio station, CCTV, Centenary's Comcast-licensed television studio, and gallery space for visual artists.
Named in honor of Carol Burgess Lackland, A Centenary graduate (Class of 1954), and her husband, David A. Lackland, a Centenary College Trustee, The David and Carol Lackland Center, has been designed to enrich student life and bring new cultural opportunities to northwest New Jersey. ...more (including photos, progress reports, and 'Tour Lackland with Carl')
| Lackland Center Seating | |
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Sitnik Lower Level Seating Seats assigned on a best available basis. [closer view] |
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Sitnik Balcony Seating Seats assigned on a best available basis. [closer view] |
| The Edith Bolte Kutz ’42 Theater (Blackbox) Seating Open Seating as the theatre configuration will change depending on the event. Parking [Large Map Link] [Print Map Link] |
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 Join us for a scrumptious Sunday Brunch, served every Sunday in the Lackland Dining Hall, from 11 AM – 3 PM. Call the box office for details. |
Tickets for "Oliver" range in price from $20-25, with discounts for seniors and students, and can be purchased through the Centenary Stage Company Box Office in the new David and Carol Lackland Center at 715 Grand Ave, Hackettstown, by phone at 908-979-0900, and through our Secure Online Ticketing System. See our Directions page for the mailing address or use our Print Order Form to order.
A Buffet Matinee series is available for groups of 20 or more, priced at $37.50 for performance and luncheon.
CSC also partners
with Knight Riders Limousine Service to provide transportation options for patrons.
Subscription Value Still Available
(Review the Full Schedule
)
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Subscription Events)
Centenary Stage Company is often referred to as "the best deal in the state."
Though our season has already started, this event can still be purchased as a part of a discounted season subscription
purchase. Centenary Stage Company offers several subscription plans for its season with the mission of making arts affordable
for all. The still available subscription is:
Individual TicketsSeries B Subscription, priced at $100, allows patrons to purchase a season subscription for any SIX of the remaining subscription events in the CSC season.
Individual Tickets are:
| Season Plays: | |
| Saturday: | $25.00 for adults, $22.50 for
seniors/students and $15.00 for children under 12 |
| Friday | $22.50 for adults, $20.00 for seniors/students and $15.00 for children under 12 |
| Other Evening Performances: | $22.50 for adults, $20.00 for seniors/students and $15.00 for children under 12 |
| Matinee showings (except Preview) | $20.00 for adults and seniors/students, $15.00 for children under 12 ($20.00 at the door) |
| Friday Preview Matinees | $17.50 for adults and seniors/students, $15.00 for
children under 12 ($17.50 at the door) 2010-11 Fri. Preview Matinee Dates: Oct 1, Nov. 5, Nov. 26, Feb. 18, April 1 |
| Thursday (2 for 1 at the door the day of the show only): | $22.00 |
| Concert / Dance Events | In Advance: New Jersey Ballet; Chamber Orchestra Kremlin $25.00 for adults ($30.00 at the door) $22.50 for seniors/students ($25.00 at the door) $15.00 for children under 12 ($20.00 at the door) All Other $22.50 for adults ($25.00 at the door) $20.00 for seniors/students ($22.50 at the door) $15.00 for children under 12 ($20.00 at the door) The at-the-door ticket prices: New Jersey Ballet; Chamber Orchestra Kremlin: $30.00 / $25.00 / $20.00 All Other: $25.00 / $22.50 / $20.00 |
| The 2011-12 season of performing arts events at Centenary Stage Company is made possible (and affordable) through the generous support of The Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, The New Jersey State Council on the Arts, The Blanche and Irving Laurie Foundation, and CSC sponsors and members, including Premiere Sponsors Fulton Bank of New Jersey (formerly Skylands Community Bank) and Heath Village Retirement Community, as well as Hackettstown Regional Medical Center, Mama's Café Baci, and Centenary Stage Company Members and Sponsors. |
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