Mark the Calendar For “Oliver” Performances At Felix Festa

With more than 2,100 students attending Felix Festa Middle School, Musical Director Tammy Bierker knew she could find talented students for its spring musical production.

“Oliver was chosen because we knew we had the primary characters available in our students,” said Bierker. “Once again we have a cast of 150 students with 15 stage crew members.”

Bierker said the cast draws members equally from the sixth, seventh and eighth grades. Seven music teachers from Festa and other schools in the Clarkstown district volunteer to play in the music pit since most middle school students are not technically ready to play most Broadway scores. The pit orchestra’s seven members include two middle school music teachers, Fred Maxwell and Roberta Palant.

Oliver is a British musical by Lionel Bart based on Charles Dickens novel “Oliver Twist.”  The story is about a lost orphan who is found by a gang of thieves with a leader by the name of Fagin.  Oliver turns out to be the lost grandchild of a wealthy London family and at the end of the story is returned to his home.

Bierker, a school guidance counselor at Festa, managed musical direction of the show, its production and designs the lighting.  She credited members of the school staff with volunteering and helping to put the show together.  Festa English teacher Michael Deming handles the drama direction while Festa Technology teacher Shawn Batewell is the builder for the show.  

Other staff members include Festa Music teacher Laura Palazolo as the vocal assistant and teachers Erica Bader, Linda Cavazzini and Helen Montijo who take care of ticket sales. Richie Piniero, who works in maintenance, is the lighting technician and Vincent Artale a freelance graphic artist and a custodian in the district, helps out as the set painter.  

The students began rehearsals at the beginning of December. Bierker said because of the sheer size of the cast, they have used every minute they could get to rehearse.

Bierker gladly shares her motivation and that of the other volunteers for getting involved. 

“It is our goal or mission, as you might say, to expose as many young people as possible to the wonderful world of theater and musical theater,” she said. “Over the last 15 years we have worked with over 2,500 students who we hope will love musical theater and become future audiences.” 

Oliver will be performed at Felix Festa Middle School on Friday and Saturday, March 8 and 9 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, March 10 at 2 p.m. Tickets cost $10 and can be reserved in advance or purchased at the door. To order tickets in advance, send an email with the day of the show preferred and a phone number to ebader@ccsd.edu or lcavazzini@ccsd.edu