NECP Fine Arts ~ 2014 Spring Production
OLIVER!
Oliver! is an entertaining British musical, with music and lyrics by Lionel Bart. The plot is based
on Oliver Twist, a Victorian era novel by Charles Dickens. The story takes place in1838 and is
about a lonely orphan boy born in a London workhouse. It has been simplified for the musical
and to be appropriate for school-age performers. British/Cockney accents will be needed.
(Students will learn and practice this accent in rehearsals.)
AUDITIONS will be held after school in the Drama Room/Middle School.
• Friday Jan. 17: Principal Cast Roles
• To be announced (End of January): Ensemble Cast Roles
Oliver! Principal Cast Breakdown:
• Oliver Twist, the protagonist of the story. He is a lonely orphan boy born in the workhouse.
(4th, 5th or 6th Grader suggested)
• Fagin, a conniving career criminal, takes in homeless boys and teaches them to pick pockets
for him. (7th, 8th or 9th Grader suggested)
• Nancy, Bill Sikes's girlfriend. She takes a liking to Oliver and treats him like her own child,
but is eventually murdered for the steps she takes on his behalf. (8th or 9th Grader)
• Mr. Brownlow, Oliver's grandfather, a kind man of wealth and breeding. (7th, 8th or 9th
Grader suggested)
• Bill Sikes, Nancy's brutal and abusive boyfriend, a burglar and her eventual murderer. One of
Fagin's former successful pickpockets. (7th, 8th or 9th Grader suggested)
• Mr. Bumble, the pompous beadle of the workhouse in which Oliver was born. (8th or 9th
Graders suggested)
• The Artful Dodger, the cleverest of Fagin's pickpockets, he introduces Fagin to Oliver. (5th
through 9th Grader suggested)
• Mr. and Mrs. Sowerberry, the insensitive couple, who takes in Oliver and uses him in their
funeral business. (7th, 8th, 9th Grader suggested)
• Mrs. Corney, the matron of the workhouse where Oliver was born, later marries Mr. Bumble.
(8th or 9th Grader suggested)
• Charlotte Sowerberry, the rude and often flirtatious daughter of the Sowerberrys' (6th, 7th,
8th, 9th Grader suggested)
• Noah Claypole, The Sowerberrys' apprentice, he bullies Oliver about his mother and enjoys a
flirtatious relationship with Charlotte. (6th thru 9th Grader suggested)
• Dr. Grimwig, foppish doctor and friend of Mr. Brownlow. He assesses Oliver's condition at
the beginning of Act II, deeming him fit to go outside. (8th & 9th Graders suggested)
• Charley Bates, one of Fagin's pickpockets. He is Dodger's sidekick. (4th, 5th, 6th or 7th Grade)
• Mrs. Bedwin, house-servant to Mr. Brownlow and caretaker of Oliver. (8th or 9th Grade)
• Old Sally, nurse at Oliver's birth. Old Sally steals Agnes’ (Oliver's mother's) gold locket,
which is the only clue to Oliver's identity. Before she dies, she gives the locket to Mr.
Bumble and Mrs. Corney. (8th & 9th Graders suggested)
1 Oliver! SONGS:
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“Food, Glorious Food” – Orphans
“Oliver!” – Mr. Bumble and Widow Corney
“Boy for Sale” – Mr. Bumble
“That’s Your Funeral” – Mr. Sowerberry, Mrs. Sowerberry, and Mr. Bumble
“Where Is Love?” – Oliver
“Consider Yourself” – The Artful Dodger, Oliver, and Chorus
“You’ve Got to Pick a Pocket or Two” – Fagin and Fagin’s Gang
“It’s a Fine Life” – Nancy, Bet, and Fagin’s Gang
“I’d Do Anything” – The Artful Dodger, Nancy, Oliver, Bet, Fagin, and Fagin’s Gang
“Be Back Soon” – Fagin, The Artful Dodger, Oliver and Fagin’s Gang
“Oom-Pah-Pah” – Nancy and Chorus
“My Name” – Bill Sikes
“As Long as He Needs Me” – Nancy
“Where Is Love?” (Reprise) – Mrs. Bedwin
“Who Will Buy?” – Oliver, vendors, and Chorus
“Reviewing the Situation” – Fagin
NOTES TO POTENTIAL CAST:
If your role has a song, be prepared to sing something. Not all these characters have to be good
or great singers. It would not be a bad idea to come in and sing one of the songs of a character in
which you are interested, but you don’t have to. The musical is very close to the movie musical
of the same name done in the ‘60’s and can be found on YouTube.
A script is available in the Middle School Library. Specific scenes for each character will be
outlined with the script. You will not be allowed to check out the script, but you may view it.
See the Performance and Rehearsal Schedule below. You must make a commitment to attend
rehearsals if you want to take part in this production. You may not be called for all of these
rehearsals, and we will do our best not to call you in if you are not being used; however, we
cannot always guarantee this. There may be times when you will be required to wait patiently
until you are called to rehearse.
Every cast member will be allowed one excused absence from rehearsal, but more than one
absence may result in your being removed from the show. We will have a very short amount of
time to put on a very big production with a very large cast and big production numbers. Your
commitment and attendance are essential!
Each selected cast member must have a signed permission slip from his/her parent. The
parent must guarantee to have the child attend all rehearsals with the exception of one
excused absence.
2 Oliver! PERFORMANCES: Friday, May 9 @ 7:30 pm and Saturday May 10 @ 2 pm.
REHEARSAL SCHEDULE:
DATE
April 11
April 12
April 17
April 18
May 2
May 3
May 4
May 6
May 7
May 8
DAY
TIME
Friday
3:30 – 6 pm
Saturday
10 am – 3 pm
Thursday
3:30 – 6 pm
Friday (no school)
10 am – 3 pm
Friday
3:30 – 6 pm
Saturday
10 am – 3 pm
Sunday
1 – 5 pm
Tuesday
6:30 – 9:30 pm
Wednesday
6:30 – 9:30 pm
Thursday
6:30 – 9:30 pm
This is a wonderful show with a fantastic score! The story based on a novel by one of our
greatest writers, Charles Dickens. Please come and audition for it! I promise a lot of fun in the
midst of some good, hard work. I’m thrilled to be a part of NECP and am looking forward to
putting together our second big musical!
Good Luck and Break-a-leg,
Mr. Lumbard
With great support from:
Ms. Lamm, Mr. Hirschi, Ms. Armstrong, and Ms. Fenton
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