Lionel Bart’s classic musical based on Charles Dickens’ novel, Oliver Twist.
The Tony and Olivier Award-winning show is one of the few musicals to also win an Academy Award for Best Picture.
Oliver is widely hailed as a true theatrical masterpiece by actors and audience members alike.
Rated PG
Director
JAMIE ROCCO
Choreographer
HECTOR GUERRERO
Music Director
RYAN O’CONNELL
Associate Producers
RON & PATTI BRUNNER
CINDY COSTELLO
JON & AMANDA HALL
Youth Performance Underwriters
DR. RON & SYLVIA HARTMAN
LARRY & SHARI NEMIROW
ED PARKER
Running Time
APPROXIMATELY
2 HOURS, 30 MINUTES
Cast & Crew
Jason is thrilled to be making his MTW debut. He most recently appeared as Young Will in Big Fish (Chance Theater) and as Colin Craven in The Secret Garden (Chance Theater). Other favorite roles include Asher (The Giver), Dill Harris (To Kill a Mockingbird), Gavroche (Les Miserables), Thor Waldgrave (The Nerd), and Bugs (Bud, Not Buddy). Jason loves to sing, tap dance, and is teaching himself to play guitar. He also enjoys reading, riding his bike, and playing with his dog. He currently studies acting at the Orange County School of the Arts. Jason would like to thank his family for their love and support!
Twelve year old Travis is thrilled to return again to Musical Theater West following his recent appearance as Michael Hobbs in Elf! Additionally with MTW he played Michael Banks in Mary Poppins. He recently appeared as Patrick in Mame (MTG), as Les in the McCoy Rigby production of Newsies (La Mirada PAC), Winthrop in The Music Man at the Norris, and as Randolph in Bye Bye Birdie at Glendale CT. He is actively pursuing work in commercials and film. Credits include playing Tanner on Disney’s “Raven’s Home”. His film “The Box” screened at The Egyptian in LA and is on Hulu. He played the lead in a Dreamworks production, “So Shook”. Other credits include Fiddler (Motel), Alice (White Rabbit), Willie Wonka (Candy Man, Mr. Salt), Charlie Brown (Charlie Brown), and Cats (Mungojerry). Thanks to Ddo Artists Agency and Mincks TM for their support and guidance. Love and thanks also to Grammies and Papa, David and Lisa, Todd Neilsen, Gerald Sternbach, and Nine O’Clock Players.
Doug happily returns to MTW, having performed as Senator Evergreen in Nice Work If You Can Get It, Father in Ragtime and Maurice in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. From 2006-2012, Doug performed in the Las Vegas production of Phantom of the Opera. Previous Broadway and National Tour credits include Ragtime, City of Angels, The Fantasticks, She Loves Me, The Pajama Game and Music Is. Award-winning regional credits include Man of La Mancha, Sweeney Todd, Shenandoah and Putting It Together. Doug is the Western Regional Vice President of Actors’ Equity Association.
This is Alden’s debut appearance at MTW. Previous roles include JoJo in Seussical, Lahdalord in James and the Giant Peach, Timon in The Lion King, Jack in Dinosaurs Before Dark, and Prince Charming in Cinderella. In 2017 Alden won a MACY’s Bright Spot Award for his portrayal of Young Abel in Children of Eden.
Radley is excited to be making his debut appearance at MTW. Previous roles include James in James and The Giant Peach, Mowgli in The Jungle Book, Badger/Narrator in Fantastic Mr Fox, Frank Cheeryable in Nicholas Nickleby, and the Herald in Cinderella. In his spare time Radley loves playing the piano by ear and has perfect pitch.
Ayesha Cortinas is excited to be back at MTW. Some of her favorite performances include: A Chorus Line at The Hollywood Bowl, Evita at MTW (Tango), Hairspray (Dynamite Swing) at Tuacahn, West Side Story (Consuelo) at FCLO, and Dreamgirls at the Candlelight Pavilion. Thank you to: Hector, for your encouragement, Frank, for your unconditional love, mom, for your guidance, Naomi-Grace, for making me a proud mama and Anthony and DDO for being awesome. Prov.16:9
Maggie is extremely excited to be back with Musical Theatre West! She has been fortunate to work with MTW before on White Christmas, Nice Work If You Can Get It, Yankee Doodle Dandy, Elf the Musical, and even the Reiner Reading Series production of Pipe Dream. Other credits include: A Chorus Line(Hollywood Bowl), Bye Bye Birdie, Oklahoma (Cabrillo), Big Fish (Moonlight), West Side Story (McCoy Rigby), Young Frankenstein, 42nd Street (3DT). She would like to thank her family, DDO Artists Agency, and the whole MTW team for all of their love and support. IG: @mangodrango www.maggiedarago.com
Colin is elated to make his Musical Theatre West debut with Oliver! Additional credits include Colin Craven in The Secret Garden, Michael Banks in Mary Poppins, and William in Frankenstein, to name a few. Colin voices Charlie Brown in shows and guest communications for Cedar Fair Parks countrywide. He trains and performs with Orange County Song and Dance.
MTW productions – Elf as Deb, Yankee Doodle Dandy as Nellie Cohan, Mary Poppins as Mrs. Brill and Muriel Eubanks in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels and directed and staged Louisiana Purchase for the Reiner Reading Series. She has played leading roles in four National Tours, over one-hundred musicals, working alongside Carol Burnett, Buddy Ebsen, Michael Feinstein, the Nicholas Brothers. In film and television she has worked with Garry Marshall, Julia Roberts, Courtney Cox, and Jennifer Garner, appearing in “Mother’s Day”, “Valentine’s Day“, “Georgia Rule“, “Cougartown,“ “Crossing Jordan“, “Port Charles“ and “General Hospital“.
Les Miserables, Carousel, South Pacific (MTW.) New York: Bobby, u/s Emcee* in Cabaret/ NY Premier of Flashdance (Gateway Playhouse.) Regional: Joe Hardy in Damn Yankees (SDMT.) Riff in West Side Story, (Candlelight Pavilion.) Phil Davis In White Christmas (Sierra Rep.) Ren in Footloose (Glendale CT.) Lucky in Dames At Sea, (42nd Street Moon.) The Rum Tum Tugger in Cats (Broadway At The Gardens.) Smudge in Plaid Tidings (Welk Resort.) Wally/ Doucet in Animal Crackers (Cygnet.) Titanic, Shrek (Moonlight Ampitheatre.)
Broadway/National Tours: The Phantom in The Phantom of the Opera (over 2,000 performances), Whistle Down the Wind, Camelot (w/Richard Burton), Hello, Dolly! (w/Carol Channing). Off-Broadway: The Death of Von Richthofen (The Public), One Two Three Four Five (Manhattan Theatre Club), Assassins (Playwrights Horizons), The Boys from Syracuse (Encores!), Forbidden Broadway. Regional: Man of La Mancha (Ovation Award/MTW/McCoy/Rigby); 42nd Street, Parade (3D); Lend Me A Tenor (McCoy/Rigby); Evita, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Spamalot, Les Miserables, The Music Man (MTW); SILENCE! The Musical (LA Weekly Award). Film/TV: “Warlock: The Armageddon”, “Sweeney Todd”, “Desperate Housewives”, “Charmed”, “Chicago Hope”, “Veronica’s Closet”, “Bodies of Evidence”, and “Murder, She Wrote”. www.facebook.com/DavisGainesActor
Sylvie is excited to be enjoying this fine life at MTW! Originally from Vancouver, Canada she has been seen on stages across BC, Los Angeles, Anchorage, afloat in Hawaii and the Caribbean and across the ocean in Beijing, China. Regional: Elf, South Pacific, Cabaret, Yankee Doodle Dandy, Mary Poppins, My Fair Lady, Chicago, South Street, Beauty and the Beast, Murder on the Nile, and Anything Goes. Thanks to ZajacStudio, Avalon Artists, her ever-supportive family and incredible husband, Eric.
William Hartery is a recent East Coast transplant, and overjoyed to make his MTW debut in OLIVER! Regional credits include the Walnut St. Theatre, PA, Theatre Under the Stars, TX, TheatreZone, FL, Ogunquit Playhouse, ME, Westchester Broadway, NY, Fulton Opera House, PA, Palace Theatre, NH, and more. Some favorite roles: Gus/Growltiger/Bustopher Jones in CATS (natl. tour) Hades in Disney’s VILLAINS TONIGHT! (DCL original company) Max Bialystock in THE PRODUCERS, Gomez in THE ADDAMS FAMILY, Cogsworth in DISNEY’S BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, and Enoch Snow in CAROUSEL. Thankful to Katherine for her love and support! Proud member AEA.
Collin Higgins is 11 years old. He is excited to be in his first role with Musical Theater West. He has performed in many musicals. His favorites being Peter Pan, Addams Family and Shrek the Musical. He would like to thank the directors and production team for this great opportunity.
Cayman Ilika (Nancy) is proud to be making her Musical Theatre West debut! Some of her favorite regional credits include: Kiss Me Kate (Lilli/Kate) at The 5th Avenue Theatre, Beatsville at Asolo Repertory Theatre, Jacques Brel Is Alive and Well and Living in Paris and Vanities - A New Musical (Kathy) with The 5th Avenue Theatre and ACT in Seattle, and Mary Poppins (Mary Poppins) and Show Boat (Julie) at Village Theatre. Offstage, Ilika has the World's Greatest Parents, Handsomest Husband, and Most Adorable Son. www.caymanilika.com
Kaine is thrilled to be making his debut with Musical Theater West. He was just seen in The Perfect Christmas (Kenny Martin) at The Candlelight Pavilion. 11 year old Kaine performs on the Shaolin Kung Fu Performance Team and also enjoys playing baseball, basketball, singing in choir, and doing gymnastics.
Grateful to be back at Musical Theater West Kenny was last seen walking the beat as Lt. Brannigan in Guys And Dolls. Regional credits include The 39 Steps at the Norris Center as Clown #2, a role he reprised with Coyote Stageworks at the Annenberg Theater in Palm Springs. His portrayal of more than a dozen characters earned him the Desert Star Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy. Among other theater credits, stunt work, and short films Kenny can currently be seen performing regularly at the happiest place on earth in a variety of shows including Frozen Live At The Hyperion. Titus 2:11-14
Bill celebrates his return to MTW. Recent credits: Buddy Rocky/Roy Bacon-Honeymoon In Vegas (West Coast Premier), Zoser-Aida, Magaldi-Evita, Munkustrap-Cats. Other favorites: Joseph-Joseph…Dreamcoat, Al Deluca- A Chorus Line, Sgt. Fogarty- Chicago. National Tours: The Will Rogers Follies, Pippin and Camelot. Bill can also be seen singing and dancing at Knott’s Berry Farm. Love and Thanks to my Family, MTW and especially my amazing Tommy. In Loving Memory of Vera Armenta. <3
Antoine is greatful to be making his Music Theatre West debut and thrilled you’ve decided to come to the theatre. Regional: Marry Poppins ,West Side Stoy LA Fringe: The Watsons go to Birmingham. Antoine has also worked with Dallas Black dance Theare and the Merce Cunningham Repertory Understudy Group. Thank you for supporting live theatre. IG: @AntoineIsHereForYou
Landon is grateful to be cast in his second MTW show. He performed in Evita in 2017. Landon has also done voice work for film, appeared in the “2016 Tournament of Roses Parade” with Disney, and is in his school’s musical of Thoroughly Modern Millie. Thank you OCSD for everything!
KEVIN McMAHON (Mr. Sowerberry/Dr. Grimble) Broadway National Tours: Bright Star, Wicked, City Of Angels. MTW: Bright Star (Stanford Adams), Carousel (Starkeeper), The Full Monty (Malcolm - Ovation Award nomination), Crazy For You (Lank) and Me And My Girl (Gerald). Tours: Forever Plaid, The Fantasticks. Select Regional: Center Theatre Group, ACT, South Coast Repertory, Fords’ Theatre, Sacramento Music Circus, Pioneer, Paper Mill Playhouse, McCoy/Rigby La Mirada, MTG, Fonda, Charles Playhouse, TUTS, MUNY, SD Musical Theatre, Casa Mañana, Moonlight, Cabrillo, ICT, Starlight. Graduate: Boston Conservatory. Proud Equity member. More: www.kevin-mcmahon.com. @KBMcMahonJr
Christine is excited to be back having appeared in Yankee Doodle Dandy and Mary Poppins (Associate Choreographer) at MTW! Christine has toured Nationally/Internationally with My Fair Lady (Eliza u/s), Best Little Whorehouse . . . (Starring Ann-Margret), 42nd Street (Peggy Sawyer), and The Radio City Christmas Spectacular. Favorite regional credits include: Elizabeth (Young Frankenstein), Jennyanydots (Cats at The Muny/Sacramento Music), Mrs. Wilkinson (Billy Elliot). Co-Founder/Author of www.TheThrivingArtists.com with husband, Joe Abraham. Proud mom of two boys!
Cathy is pleased to be returning to MTW for her sixth production! Audiences may remember her as Mrs. Potts in Beauty & The Beast, Mrs. Paroo in The Music Man and Martha in White Christmas, to name a few. She has performed in eight National Tours, traveling in the United States as well as Canada, Japan, Korea & China. Highlights include: La Cage Aux Folles, Lincoln Center’s South Pacific, the U.S. & China premiere of Les Misérables (with Colm Wilkinson), National Theatre of Great Britain’s My Fair Lady and Deaf West’s critically acclaimed Big River. Thanks for your support of live theatre!
Kennedy is thrilled to join the cast of Oliver! She has a competitive dance background with emphasis in musical theater. Kennedy thanks her family and friends for all their love and sup-port along this journey, Miss Brittany for her inspiration and mentorship and MTW for this ex-citing opportunity.
This is Josh’s first show with MTW and he’s so excited to be here! He is a Company Kid with Orange County Song and Dance, where he has been performing for 6 years, and appeared on Amazon’s “Finding Miles” series. He loves karate and wrestling.
MTW: BRIGHT STAR, GUYS AND DOLLS. Los Angeles: CABARET (Bobby)-Celebration Theatre; ZORBA (Fivos)-Musical Theatre Guild. Other Credits: MAMMA MIA, ANNIE-Westchester Broadway Theatre, MARY POPPINS (Parkeeper/Ensemble)-Utah Shakespeare Festival; FIDDLER ON THE ROOF-Pioneer Theatre Company. Other Favorite Roles: SHE LOVES ME(Georg Nowack); HOW TO SUCCEED...(J. Pierrepont Finch). B.A. in Musical Theatre from Weber State University. All the love to Nic and the family. www.tannerrampton.com
Simone Sassudelli was born and raised in Italy and he is a graduate student in Musical Theatre at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy. He made his professional debut in Wizard Productions’ West Side Story (Italy) Simone hasn’t stopped working since then and was recently seen as part of the Italian Tour of Grease. Other recent credits include Ethan Girard in Full Monty, Eddy in Funny Girl and leading role in the feature film “The Shell”.
Daniel Sidoni is ecstatic to make his debut with Musical Theatre West. He is currently a 7th grader at OCSA and a regular featured performer at MTA of Orange County where his previ-ous favorite roles include: Lord Farquad - Shrek Jr., Scar -Lion King Jr., and Cogsworth - Beauty and the Beast Jr.
Nikki Elena Spies (Milk Seller/ensemble) is grateful to return to the MTW stage for Oliver! Last seen at MTW in the regional premiere of Bright Star (County Clerk/ensemble). Other MTW credits Mary Poppins, Carousel, My Fair Lady, and South Pacific. Regional/ LA: Mame, Gloria Upson (MTG), The Marvelous Wonderettes, Betty Jean (Crown City Theatre), Pipe Dream (RRS), You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown, Lucy (Bigfork Summer Playhouse). Thanks to Todd at ATB Family and mi familia! IG: @nikkielena
Ciara is thrilled to return to MTW and join this incredible cast! She previously appeared in White Christmas as Susan Waverly. Other recent credits include Peter Pan (Peter Pan) directed by Peter Pan herself Cathy Rigby, Annie (Annie), and soloist for the Long Beach Mayor’s 2018 State of the City Address. Ciara is deeply grateful to her family and friends for their encouragement, love and support. Special thanks to Paul, Jamie, Hector, and Ryan. “Thanks for coming to this show. Enjoy!”
Serena Thompson has been featured in several community productions including Fiona in Shrek, Penny in Hairspray and Grace in Annie. She recently made her professional debut as Young Bonnie at Candlelight Theater's production of Bonnie and Clyde. Serena is grateful to her parents and instructors for their continuous guidance and support.
Kaitlin, 12, is thrilled to be making her debut with Musical Theater West! Regional credits include Oklahoma (3DTheatricals), Billy Elliot (SDMT), and Aladdin's Christmas Wish (Lythgoe). In addition to many commercial credits, Kaitlin was a recent Guest Star on NBC's "Chicago Fire." Follow Kaitlin's journey @kaitlinyamano
Keira is so excited to be making her debut with Musical Theater West! Most recently she was seen as Sydney, a lead in Lamb's Player's Festival of Christmas in Coronado. In addition to various commercial credits, regional credits include Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat (3D Theatricals) and Aladdin's Christmas Wish (Lythgoe). Keira is also a member of the Voices of Hope Children's Choir and a competitive dancer. Follow her journey @keirayamano
Photos & Videos
Reviews
Rich with all the compassion Dickens conferred on his rag-to-riches chronicle, MTW’s unstoppably energetic, contagiously fun revival is sturdy stuff.
(Davis) Gaines charms as Fagin, quite Vaudevillian in his enjoyment of Fagin’s ill-gotten gains (accompanied by klezmer-like music, beautifully played under music director Ryan O’Connell’s baton). (Cayman) Ilika has a massive belt, but her Nancy also commands our interest, providing a teachable point for children in the audience. (Kenny) Landmon is pure darkness as Sykes.
I try to keep from gushing in this column, I do try keep a critical eye but let me say that the voices throughout the entire production are simply spectacular. As a theatre professional, I have lost count of how many productions of “Oliver!” I have seen, but after seeing Musical Theatre West’s production, I feel like I haven’t seen it until now.
It is difficult to find kids who can sing, dance and act … MTW has found 15 triple threats led by Burnett as a wonderfully sensitive Oliver. … Don’t miss this stellar production of Oliver!
Lionel Bart’s Oliver! is back in town in its first major L.A. production in over ten years and what a joy it is to re-experience (or to discover for the first time) Broadway’s Greatest Dickens Musical at Long Beach’s Musical Theatre West. … MTW favorite Gaines milks every Fagin moment to piquantly crafty effect … Seattle star Ilika gives Nancy abundant allure and the most powerful alto pipes in town. … Oliver! may be a nearing seventy years of age, but oh what a glorious musical it remains to this day.