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TOP JOBS

By LAUREN KEATON
Entertainment Editor

“Consider yourself at home” is the message Tyler Civic Theatre actors will be spreading this weekend as they bring the story of a boy who wanted more to East Texas.

“Oliver,” the musical adaptation of Charles Dickens’ “Oliver Twist” continues this weekend and will run through July 24-27 and Aug. 1-3.

Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for students and can be purchased at the Tyler Civic Theatre Center box office located in the Center at 400 Rose Park Drive or online at www.tylercivictheatre.com.

Evening performances begin at 7:30 p.m.

Sunday matinees begin at 2:30 p.m. on July 20 and 27 and Aug. 3.

Days before opening night, actors gathered in the theatre to discuss their characters and the weeks leading up to the performance.

“I have absolutely loved it. I have had a ball,” Murray Parks said, who plays Fagin, the shrewd mastermind of juvenile pickpockets, in the musical.

By day, Parks is the theatre director at Grand Saline High School.

“I laughingly call myself the drama department,” he said, smiling.

Parks is just one of the actors who has returned this summer to perform in the musical.

Patrons may recognize him from his role is last summer’s “Sound Of Music.”

Diane Vernon will also be returning in the role of Nancy, a mother figure to Oliver and girlfriend of brutish criminal Bill Sykes.

She said her character this time around closely resembles that of her previous role, Maria.

“Nancy was also an orphan,” she said, explaining the similarities. “Maria had many of the same circumstances as Nancy. Fortunately, Maria was saved by the (convent). Nancy ended up living a very emotionally and physically impoverished life.”

Ms. Vernon said the play illustrates the lives of the poor and hopeless.

“Desperate people do desperate things,” she said. “It’s a slice of life. People really live like this. And we really don’t see it in our cushy lives.”

Ms. Vernon said she hopes the play will raise awareness not only for poverty but also for abuse.

“I wanted this role because domestic abuse and violence is very real right here in Tyler, Texas. Bad brings out the bad in people, but good brings out the good. That is a message of hope,” she said. “But, even though this is educational it is also entertainment.”

Reg Connor, producer, said along with the importance of the message, “Oliver” is undeniably a fun show.

“The show tells the story in a very marvelous and entertaining way,” he said.

Among the favorite songs are “Food, Glorious Food,” “Consider Yourself,” “Where Is Love?,” “My Name,” “I’d Do Anything,” “Oom-pah-pah,” “Be Back Soon,” “As Long as He Needs Me,” and ‘You’ve Got to Pick a Pocket or Two.”

Connor expressed that “Oliver,” his 8th show to produce, is a very family friendly show that is suitable for all ages.

The cast of 50 consists of adults and children who will sing, dance and act their way through this award-winning musical drama, written by Lionel Bart.

When Bart composed the music and lyrics for “Oliver,” which opened in London’s West End in 1960, he used many of the familiar characters created by Dickens.

Other cast members include G. P. Cole in the title role, Russell McCook as the Artful Dodger, Fagin’s wily lieutenant and star pupil.

Dwain Hare plays the Bill Skyes.

Other principals include Shephan Garmon as Mr. Bumble, the pompous beadle of the workhouse where Oliver first appears.

Suzanne Liles plays Widow Corney, the domineering workhouse mistress.

Bill Burgdorf portrays Mr. Sowerberry, the undertaker.

Michelle Paul is co-producing the show with Connor, Cassie Schmidt is choreographing and Taylor McCaslin is the stage manager.

For more information about “Oliver” call the box office at 903-592-056.