Actors' Playhouse Presents the Timeless Classic 'Oliver!' This Holiday Season at the Miracle Theatre

This holiday season as Actors' Playhouse presents the Tony-award winning musical Oliver! One of the most beloved productions of all time, Oliver! vividly brings to life Charles Dickens' timeless characters from the novel Oliver Twist, with its ever-popular story of the boy who asked for more.

This musical masterpiece features a sensational score full of Lionel Bart's irresistible songs including Food Glorious Food, Consider Yourself, You've Got to Pick-a-Pocket or Two, I'd Do Anything, Oom Pah Pah, As Long As He Needs Me and many more. As the young orphan Oliver escapes from the confines of the workhouse, he finds himself in the dark corners of London's underground, where he must contend with the streetwise Artful Dodger, the slippery Fagin, the cutthroat Bill Sykes, and the passionate barmaid Nancy in a tale of social injustice, human kindness, deceit, and a love that knows no bounds.

Directed by Carbonell Award-winning Artistic Director David Arisco, this production will feature a cast and orchestra of more than 50, which will include Broadway and regional stars as well as several Actors' Playhouse veterans.

"The scope of this production is enormous, says Arisco. "We're working with two Olivers, two Artful Dodgers, two groups of 16 kids, a cast of 22 adults, a crew of 10 and an orchestra of nine. This is truly one of our largest productions to date."

Gary Marachek, who just won the Carbonell for Best Supporting Actor in a Musical for his performance as Thénardier in Actors' Playhouse's production of Les Misérables, returns to the Miracle Theatre as Fagin, the slimy underworld pickpocket boss. Gary has also won Carbonells for his performances in AP's Violet, La Cage Aux Folles and The Mystery of Edwin Drood, and can be remembered from more than twenty productions with the company.

Ken Clement (Mr. Bumble), also a multiple-time Carbonell nominee and winner, and cast member of the national touring company of Oliver!, has appeared on Actors' stage in Another Night Before Christmas, 1776, Sherlock's Last Case, and alongside Gary Marachek in the audience favorite The Big Bang.

Shane Tanner (Bill Sykes) joined Clement on the national touring company of Oliver!; regional credits include Beast in Beauty & the Beast, Rutledge in 1776, Carl-Magnus in A Little Night Music, Lt. Cable in South Pacific, Dancin' Kid in Johnny Guitar, and Whizzer in Falsettoland.

Amy Miller Brennan (Nancy) was last seen at Actors' Playhouse as Ellen in Miss Saigon, Cindy Lou in The Marvelous Wonderettes, and Ariel in Footloose (Carbonell nomination).

Actress Elizabeth Dimon (Widow Corney), can be remembered from AP productions of She Loves Me, Big River and Yours, Anne; other credits include six seasons of Summer Shorts for City Theatre; Copenhagen, Berlin to Broadway, and Souvenir (Carbonell Award) for Palm Beach Dramaworks.

The creative team for Oliver! includes Set Designer Sean McClelland, Lighting Designer Patrick Tennent, Sound Designer Alexander Herrin, Musical Director David Nagy, and Choreographer Chrissi Ardito. Resident Costume Designer Ellis Tillman has redesigned costumes originally created by Colleen Grady for Walnut Street Theatre, Philadelphia, P.A.

Preview performances of Oliver! will be held Wednesday and Thursday, November 17 and 18 at 8 pm. The show will open Friday, November 19 at 8 pm and play through December 26. Evening performances will be held Wednesday through Saturday at 8 pm, with afternoon matinees on Saturday and Sunday at 2 pm. Pre-arranged 10 am weekday matinees are available through the education department. A special Christmas Day performance is scheduled at 8 pm on December 25.

Preview night tickets on the first Wednesday and Thursday are $37. Tickets for weeknights and matinees are $42, and on Friday and Saturday evenings $50. The theatre offers a 10 percent senior discount rate the day of performance and $15 student rush tickets 15 minutes prior to curtain with identification. Discounts are based on availability and exclude Saturday and Sunday. Group discounted rates are offered for 15 or more through our group sales department. Single tickets may be purchased through the box office at 305-444-9293 or online at www.actorsplayhouse.org. Holiday gift certificates are also available for purchase through the box office.