OCEAN Arts Presents: 'Oliver! JR.' At William Floyd Middle School

Press release from the William Floyd School District:

April 21, 2023

The streets of Victorian-era England will come to life when the musical Oliver! JR., is performed at William Floyd Middle School for three shows beginning on Friday, April 28 at 7 pm and continuing on Saturday, April 29 at 1 pm and 7 pm!

Oliver! JR., presented by OCEAN Arts, the Community Library Friends of the Arts, and the William Floyd School District, is based on the novel Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens and adapted from the full-length musical by Lionel Bart who wrote the book, music and lyrics. The show follows a trusting young orphan named Oliver Twist who dreams of finding where he truly belongs.

This production of Oliver! JR. is directed and choreographed by Terrence Sheldon with Leanna Ozman serving as vocal teacher. James Austin lends his hands again with set building. Rounding out the creative team is Jessica Martin as the producer and Kathi Bertos as costumer.

“Please, sir, I want some more.” Through these famous words asking for a bit more gruel, the malnourished orphan Oliver Twist is cast out of the grim 19th century workhouse where he lives. The young boy eventually falls in with a “friendly” gang of pickpockets and their leader, Fagin. Oliver quickly discovers that he is not fit for a life of crime and discovers the life he was meant to live all along.

“In the first act, Oliver sings a breathtaking song asking, ‘Where is love?’ He ultimately finds the answer in the most unlikely places and thanks to the most marginalized of people,” said producer Jessica Martin. “Through the process of putting on this award-winning and beloved musical, students are looking beyond their own labels and social groupings to see each other for who they really are. We think they deserve a standing ovation for all their hard work.”

Accompanying Oliver (Elijah LeBron) are Fagin (Sam Greene), Nancy (Leighton Wicklow), Artful Dodger (Rhiannon Smith), Captain (Ceylin Birben), Charlie Bates (Aysegul Basar), Handwalker (April Handa), Mr. Sowerberry (John Wiesman), Bill Sikes (Edward Langston), Mr. Brownlow (Gabriel Villacis), Mr. Bumble (Johnathan Dennis-Daniels), Mrs. Sowerberry (Ava Manzella) Bet (Lexi DeMacos), Charlotte (Hailey Cutrone), Widow Corney (Isabella Canario), Nipper (Lily Quinn), Noah (Collin Smith), Chairwoman (Dakota Maresca), Dr. Grimwig (Aiden Rodriguez), Mrs. Bedwin (Madison Edwards), Sellers (Michelle Hernandez, Lorelai Thomas, Julianna Weiss, Kamille Thompson). Rounding out the cast are Averyanna Cintorino, Mia Rossy, Gavin Marino, Nicholas Le, Laney Pearsall, Kayla Squires, Jelena Arango and Cassandra Yanes.

Please be sure to come out on Friday, April 28 at 7pm and Saturday, April 29th at 1pm and 7pm at the William Floyd Middle School and see the amazing production of Oliver! JR. and “consider yourself” one of the family. Tickets will be sold at the door – $15 for adults and $10 for William Floyd students with school identification.

This press release was produced by the William Floyd School District. The views expressed here are the author's own.