‘Consider Yourself’ invited to Oliver!
MORRISsILLE – Lionel Bart’s class musical Oliver! takes to The Heritage Center stage as the Actors’ NET of Bucks County assembles one of its largest casts ever to bring to life Charles Dickens’ memorable characters from the novel, Oliver Twist.
NET Co-founder Joe Doyle directs Adam Juraga of Morrisville as Dickens’ orphaned waif, who escapes from a sictorian era workhouse and falls in with a youthful gang of thieves led by the lovable but criminal Fagin. Juraga, the 12-yearold son of Kresimir and Dani Tucci-Juraga (who choreographs) of Morrisville, last appeared as Tiny Tim in the company’s 2009 dual productions of A Christmas Carol and
“WKHn AGDP flDVKHV those puppy-dog sad eyes of his as Oliver, audience members’ hearts will melt,” Doyle predicted. “Once Oliver meets spunky young pickpocket the Artful Dodger, played by Forrester Connor, their song and dance number ‘Consider Yourself’ will make those same hearts soar with joy.”
Connor is the 13-year-old son of Charity and David
Connor of Yardley and a veteran of stage productions at the Charles Boehm Middle School. His sister siva also appears in the cast.
Delarme Landes of Doylestown as Fagin costars alongside Tess Ammerman of Allentown, NJ as
Nancy, a former Fagin gang member who befriends Oliver. Landes recently costarred as the title NET’s character in the NET’s productions of both The Merchant of senice and Dracula. Miss Ammerman’s many starring roles with the company include Sally Bowles in 2011’s Cabaret and Martha Jefferson in several runs of 1776.
“De as Fagin,” Doyle said, “gets to steal the show with such great musical numbers as ‘Reviewing theSituation’ and ‘Pick a Pocket or Two,’ while Tess’ Nancy will rock the house with her boisterous ‘Oom Pah Pah’ number and then break hearts as she sings the show-stopping ‘As Long As He Needs Me,’ which is about her ill-fated romance with sinister Bill Sykes – played by Scott Lutz of Levittown.”
“Ironically,” Doyle added, “Scotty Lutz was RuU 2OLYHU 7wLVW wKHn wH fiUVW SURGuFHG WKLV show back in 1999. Now he’s grown up to be- come an amazing professional actor, who was last seen on our stage as the Emcee in our Cabaret.”
The supporting cast is led by Dennis McGuire of Levittown as Mr. Bumble, Marie Maginity of Doylestown as Widow Corney, Pater Sauer of Yardley as Mr. Sowerberry, Florence Mitchell of Yardley as Mrs. Sowerberry, Dana Maginity of Doylestown as Nancy’s friend Bet and dozens more, ranging in age from 6 to well past their 60s. Pat Masterson of Mount Airy, N.J., is musical director, conducting a small live orchestra.
*** Oliver! runs July 12 to 28 at the air conditioned Heritage Center, 635 N. Delmorr Ave., Morrisville. Show times all three weeks are Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Also, Thursday performances at 8 p.m. on July 18 and 25, plus a special Saturday, July 27 matinee at 2 p.m. Admission is $20 for adults, $17 for seniors (62+), $15 for WHYY card members, and $10 for children age 12 and younger. To reserve, phone 215-295-3694 or email actorsnet@ aol.com. The company’s website is www.actorsnetbucks.org. The musical is presented by special arrangement with Tams-Witmark Music Library, Inc.