Oliver! Takes to the Stage Dec. 9

Nov 7, 2007

Media Contacts

 INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. (Nov. 6, 2007) - Boasting a cast of 60 local youth, "Oliver!" sings and dances its way into the hearts of residents of the Reno-Tahoe region this holiday season and marks a first for the Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival and its theatrical partner, the Nevada Shakespeare Company.  In a continuing effort to expand its offerings, the Festival is producing its first off-season performance for the holidays. "Oliver!" is scheduled for Sunday, Dec. 9 at the Resort at Squaw Creek in Squaw Valley USA and includes an 11 a.m. matinee and an 8 p.m. evening performance.

The lead roles, including the character of Oliver, are filled by youth from Truckee and Tahoe City, Calif., and Reno and Virginia City, Nev., and are complemented by professional actors from the Nevada Shakespeare Company. The performance is accompanied by a live orchestra formed from local professional musicians playing standards including "Food Glorious Food," "Consider Yourself," "As Long as He Needs Me," "You've Got to Pick a Pocket or Two" and "Where is Love?."

"This is a very exciting time for the Festival, especially as we embark on our first holiday-season production," said Catherine Atack, executive director of the Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival. "With a classic like "Oliver!," we have ability to reach out to our local youth talent which lends perfectly to our continuing mission for educational outreach.  It provides a tremendous opportunity for local children to take part in a professional theater production.  Through our collaboration with the Nevada Shakespeare Company, we can provide area youth with year-round exposure to theatre arts."

"Oliver!" is a feel-good musical for the holidays adapted from Dickens' "Oliver Twist," with music and lyrics by Lionel Bart.  The musical is set in the wintry East End of London and tells the tale of Oliver, a hungry workhouse boy who is sold to an undertaker for uttering to his caretakers the memorable line "Please sir, I want some more."  Oliver escapes from his purchaser and befriends the Artful Dodger and the colorful band of pick pocketing villains led by father-figure Fagin only to be arrested and eventually saved from the streets by wealthy aristocrat Mr. Brownlow.  Knowing secrets of the pick pocketing business, Oliver becomes the target of a kidnapping, but once again finds his way to Brownlow and eventually to a home and family of his own. 

The Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival and The Nevada Shakespeare Company are the only professional non-profit theatre companies in Nevada. With a focus on education-driven, humanities-based, language-rich theatre and film, the Nevada Shakespeare Company also runs the Festival's InterACT program, which brings free theatre and acting workshops to youth throughout Nevada and Northern California.

Tickets for "Oliver!" are $20 for adults and $10 for children.  To purchase tickets or for more information about the Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival at Sand Harbor, call 800-74-SHOWS (800-747-4697) or visit http://www.laketahoeshakespeare.com/. 

The Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization established for the cultural benefit and enjoyment of all residents and visitors to Lake Tahoe and Reno. The annual Festival advocates the finest cultural events in the area while educating future generations on the importance of the arts, theater and music. 

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