The Walnut Street Theatre continues its landmark 201st season with a masterful new staging of Lionel Bart's OLIVER! One of the world's most beloved musicals, the production's magical score is full of Lionel Bart's irresistible songs including "Food Glorious Food," "Consider Yourself," "You've Got to Pick-a-Pocket or Two," "I'd Do Anything," "As Long As He Needs Me" and many more. Helmed by Barrymore Award-Winning Director Mark Clements and featuring Philly native and Broadway leading man Hugh Panaro as Fagin, OLIVER! begins previews on November 10, opens on November 18 and runs through January 10 on the WST Mainstage.
Based on Charles Dickens' classic Oliver Twist, OLIVER! is the story of a young orphan boy who wanted "more." From the orphanage to the mean streets of London, the ever-optimistic Oliver strives to survive through thick and thin. This proves no easy task as the boy encounters both saints and sinners on his journey. Dramatic, engagingly powerful and ultimately uplifting, OLIVER! is an unforgettable story of a remarkable boy looking for a place to call home.
Since its first staging almost fifty years ago, OLIVER! has enjoyed immense success over the years. The first Broadway production garnered 10 Tony Award nominations, winning three (including Best Original Score for Lionel Bart). The 1968 film version won six Academy Awards, including Best Picture. The show is responsible for launching the careers of many young actors, including Davy Jones and Phil Collins.
Directing OLIVER! is Walnut Street Theatre veteran and Barrymore Award winner Mark Clements. Mark's work has been acclaimed both here and in his native England, with such credits as the Off-Broadway production of The Thing About Men (winner - Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Off-Broadway Musical) and the Off-Broadway and London productions of Speaking in Tongues (SSD&C and TMA Best Director Nominations). Mark's Walnut productions have been some of our most popular with critics and audiences alike, including last season's epic new interpretation of Les Misérables (2008 Barrymore Award winner for Best Overall Production of a Musical). Some of Mark's previous Walnut directorial credits include Of Mice and Men (Barrymore Award winner for best director and best overall production of a Play), Blood Money, The Rivals, Great Expectations and our recent production of Garson Kanin's Born Yesterday. Joining Mark in this endeavor are Musical Director Douglass G. Lutz (numerous shows over the past ten seasons) and Choreographer Mary Jane Houdina (42nd Street, Hairspray).
The bustling streets of Victorian London will be brought to life by a team of designers very familiar with the Walnut stage. Scenic Designer Todd Edward Ivins (Of Mice and Men, Les Misérables) is joined by Lighting Designer Jeff Nellis (Les Mis), Sound Designer Nick Kourtides (The Producers) and Costume Designer Colleen Grady (Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, The Producers, Hairspray, and many others).
With regards to the cast, "immense" doesn't even begin to cover it! Breaking it down, OLIVER! boasts a company of over 70 performers. This includes 31 adults, two teams of 20 children (40 kids in all, double cast) and one dog!
The array of talent brought together for OLIVER! is nothing short of staggering. Broadway veteran and Philly native Hugh Panaro returns to the Walnut as Fagin. Hugh last appeared at the Walnut in his Barrymore Award-winning turn as Jean Valjean in our 2008 blockbuster production of Les Misérables. He has toured Europe with Barbara Streisand, taken on Broadway in Les Mis, Phantom of the Opera and Lestat, and now returns home again to where it all started (the Walnut's 1986 production of A Little Night Music, his first professional production).
