Temecula Performing Arts Company, a member of the Fine Arts Network, is pleased to announce the opening of their Fall Musical Production, Oilver!.

Charles Dickens’ greatest characters, Oliver Twist, Fagin, Nancy, Bill Sikes and The Artful Dodger, spring to life on the Temecula stage in Oliver!, Lionel Bart’s adaptation of the classic Dickens novel Oliver Twist.  The musical chronicles the adventures of the orphaned boy Oliver as he escapes his bleak orphanage existence, journeys to London, and is taken in by a gang of apprentice pickpockets working for master thief Fagin while learning their trade.  When Oliver is falsely accused of exposing the gang by the frightening Bill Sikes, he begins to realize he has more friends than he thought!

With its vivid characters and engaging plot, Oliver Twist has come to life through dramatic interpretations time and time again since the novel’s first publication in 1838.  Of the numerous staged versions, the best loved and most successful is Bart’s musical Oliver!  The show debuted in London in 1960, the first time the story had ever been told in a musical format.  It was an instant hit, and after transferring to New York in 1963, it became Broadway’s longest-running British musical to date.  The show’s unforgettable songs include “Food, Glorious Food,” “Consider Yourself,” “Where is Love?,” “You’ve Got to Pick a Pocket or Two,” “I’d Do Anything,” “Oom-Pah-Pah,” and “As Long As He Needs Me.  “Oliver!” was nominated for 10 Tony awards and won three: Best Composer & Lyricist; Best Conductor & Musical Director; and Best Scenic Designer.

T.P.A.C.’s production of “Oliver!” is directed and choreographed by Jillian Stones.  The cast features 60 local children. teens and young adults ages 6 - 20.   Principal cast members include:  Ty Gilbert and Geoffrey Halgas as Oliver Twist,  Dominic Furtado as the Artful Dodger, Ashley Darrow and Adrienne Tooley as Nancy, Bryan Inman as Fagin, Aaron Stones as Bill Sykes, Riley Drexel and Nicole Radovich as Mr. Bumble and Widow Corney, Ashley Rosales and Andrew Bogdanski as Mr. and Mrs. Sowerberry, and Cassandra Hernandez and Kendall Stones as Bet.

Show dates are Friday, November 9 & 16 and Saturday, November 10 and 17 at 7:30 pm, and matinee performances on Saturday, November 10 & 17 and Sunday November 11 at 2:00 pm.  Ticket prices are $12 $14 & $17 plus applicable handling fees.  Tickets are available by calling the theatre box office at 1 (866) OLD-TOWN (866-653-8696) or visiting the theatre website at www.temeculatheater.org

All Performances are at the Old Town Temecula Community Theatre located at 42051 Main Street in Old Town Temecula with Box Office facilities in the Historical “Mercantile” building.

There are select school-day discounted tickets available for schools, home-schools, seniors or groups on Tuesday, November 13 and Thursday, November 15.  Please call the TPAC office for more information and availability at (951) 506-5863.  

For more information on our programs for youth please visit the TPAC website:  www.broadwayboundonline.com