Inclusive Oliver! Cast Takes the Stage

When the cast of the Children’s Summer Theatre program takes the stage Thursday to perform Oliver!, the group will include some honored guest stars dancing and singing about the adventures of an impish British orphan.

For the first time, children from Moorestown’s ’s summer theater camp and children from the town’s special needs camp have teamed up to put on the show.

Ten special needs children performed in Wednesday’s Oliver! production, and will do so again on Thursday.

“We’ve been running the special needs summer camp since 2008, and it’s always been our dream to mainstream and have the children also participate in the summer theater program,” said Theresa Miller, director of parks and recreation.

That dream came to fruition this year as children in both groups got together to rehearse together for the show.

“The kids enjoy it so much, and they’ve all done a great job,” Miller said. “And the parents love it too.”

Theatergoers can take in the inclusive production Thursday at 1 p.m. at the middle school. The summer theater camp children also will stage the musical at 7:30 p.m. July 29 and 30. Tickets can be purchased in the middle school lobby before the shows.

Moorestown’s summer camp for special needs children, which runs during July, included other pursuits outside of theater, Miller added. The children took several field trips, including those to the Discovery Museum in Cherry Hill and Pump It Up in Marlton. They also took part in daily activities like swimming, crafts and more.