Pickpockets and Orphans Invade Westchase!
By Chaya Bhat
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It started out with the auditions, which led to the cast,
which led to the play, which led to instant fame. That’s how it
went for the music department at Westchase Elementary last year
as they took on the challenge of reenacting the Broadway
musical, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.
After their great success with the play, the music department
decided that this year they would enact the musical Oliver!.
The popular musical Oliver!, based on Charles Dickens’ classic
second book, Oliver Twist, went on to be a major motion
picture. The story is about a young orphan who lives in an
orphanage in a city within 75 miles of London. After the boy is
sold to a family, he escapes from them. That leads him to a
nasty group of crooks and pickpockets. With no one left to help
or guide him, what will innocent Oliver do? |
One of the casts of Oliver! rehearses at Westchase Elementary
School. The show will run May 27-30 at Alonso High School. |
| You can only find out when you come to the play! |
“We chose to do the play Oliver Twist because of its wonderful
music,” said Vanessa Lewis, a music teacher at Westchase and one of the
directors. “It’s got parts for everybody, it’s a classic, and we thought
it would make a good show for Westchase.”
The music department needed a large amount of characters, because 168
kids tried out for lead roles and each child was promised a part in the
production.
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Oliver! Show Times
Cast 1 Tuesday,
May 27, 6:30 p.m.
Cast 2 Wednesday, May 28, 6:30 p.m.
Cast 3 Thursday, May 29, 6:30 p.m.
Cast 4 Friday, May 30, 7 p.m.
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The total number of students in the play is approximately
420-450. “The kids are working hard at before- and after-school
practices, because Oliver! is more of a challenge due to the
songs and the speaking parts,” says John King, another music
teacher and a director.
Not only are they going to be giving Westchase a great show but
the kids are going green during the production. |
| “This is a result of the contest we were a finalist in,”
says Debbie Steinfeld, referring to the All Go Green contest for
which Westchase was named a top ten finisher this year.
Steinfeld, a fourth grade teacher and the producer of Oliver!,
explained. “The kids are recycling their water bottles every
practice and it’s nice to see the kids making a difference.” |
So what can we expect from Oliver!? Teacher Linda Whitelaw, one of the
two art directors for the musical, said, “As an art director, I had a
visual for Oliver! to be very realistic. So we have many things
to go along with that.” Audiences can expect great props such as
Victorian streetlights, coffins, barrels, street signs, and wonderful
costumes. The PTA and Westchase Dads’ Club were great a help with the
props.
So you’ve heard about Oliver!. Now there is one thing left to do:
come and experience a real Broadway show for a real cheap price! The
show will be running May 27-30 at Alonso High School and tickets are
available for $7 at Westchase Elementary School. Call 631-4600 for more
information.
Chaya Bhat is a student at Westchase Elementary School.
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