Mount Saint Charles Students Bring Oliver! – The Musical to the Stadium Theatre
RISBJ Staff | Nov 20, 2014
WOONSOCKET, RI – Students from Mount Saint Charles Academy’s senior drama group are bringing Oliver!– The Musical to the stage of Woonsocket’s historic Stadium Theatre on November 21st, 22nd, and 23rd.
Based on the novel, Oliver Twist, by Charles Dickens, Oliver! the Musical follows the adventures of Oliver, a young orphan, from his squalid life in an orphanage to his induction into a gang of child pickpockets led by Fagin and his top thief, the brooding, violent Bill Sykes. Oliver makes friends with a young pickpocket prodigy, the Artful Dodger, and Nancy, Bill’s lover. Arrested for stealing, Oliver encounters a series of extraordinary coincidences that give him hope for escaping his penurious and forlorn life.
Mount students in grades 9-12 have been rehearsing since August. The production includes 39 actors, 6 crew members, and 13 musicians in the pit band. Together, they’ve has created a show which includes elements from the novel and movie that elevate the drama and emotional intensity of the story.
Freshman Josh Slaney of Cumberland, RI takes on the role of Oliver. Senior Sean Leehan of Plainville, MA plays Fagin; senior Emilia Cadden of Wrentham, MA portrays Nancy; junior Jillian Bernier of Woonsocket, RI is the Artful Dodger; and senior Ryan Choate of Douglas, MA plays Bill Sykes. The set was conceived by Jason Leclair, from the Mount Saint Charles Academy class of 1992, and built by Matt Piedmonte, Mount dad and parent of cast member, Marissa. Linda McDermott, also a Mount parent, was instrumental in the visual design of the set and in charge of the costumes. She dedicated her time to researching the period and creating approximately 90 costumes for the show.
Through the generous support of Lepine Financial Advisors, this is the third time Richard Lepine (parent of two current Mount students and an alumnus) has given Mount students the opportunity to perform on the Stadium’s stage.
John Guevremont, English Department Chair at the Academy, serves as the senior drama moderator and director. This is the sixth time I have directed a Mount play at the Stadium,” Guevremont said. “Because this is a junior/senior drama production, many kids will be performing at the Stadium for the first time, and it is gratifying for me to afford them the opportunity to perform in such a historic and professional venue. In the last three years, because of the support and patronage of Lepine Financial Advisors, we are able to give more than 200 students this unique and memorable opportunity. As always, the dedication of Marc Blanchette and MSC musicians make it possible for us to put on such demanding, high-level shows.”
Performances are Friday, November 21st and Saturday, November 22nd at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, November 23rd at 2 p.m. Tickets are $10, $15, or $17 and can be purchased at the Stadium Theatre Box Office or by visiting www.stadiumtheatre.com.
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