‘Oliver!’ Opens This Weekend

Oliver (Quin Scheetz) and the Artful Dodger (Hayden Konanui-Tucker) and the rest of the cast invite you to come see Lionel Bart’s Oliver! at UHH Performing Arts Center from July 13 to 29, Fridays & Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2:30 p.m., no matinee Sunday, July 15.

Cast members of Oliver! Courtesy photo.

“This has been a particularly trying year for us,” says director Suzi Bond, “The closing of the National Park less than a week before auditions had people thinking we weren’t doing the show. But, the show must go on and this will help bring some normalcy to a very trying situation. The cast has been rehearsing in people’s living rooms, Christ Lutheran Church, and at a studio in Volcano owned by the very generous Bonnie Goodell. It is hard to be nomadic and not have consistency, but this cast defines the term troupers. It will be nice to finally be able to rehearse and perform in one place. Lee Dombroski & Dory Yamada at UHH’s Performing Arts Center have opened their doors, and their theater and made the facility affordable for us. We couldn’t do this without the help of so many wonderful people.”

Oliver! is the musical version of Charles Dickens’ classic tale Oliver Twist. Book, music and lyrics are all by Lionel Bart. This classic musical first premiered in London’s West End in 1960. The show features songs such as “Where is Love?”, “As Long As He Needs Me”, “Food Glorious, Food” and “Who Will Buy?”. The talented cast of 19 is led by director Suzi Bond, with musical direction by Walter Greenwood and choreography by Carmen Richardson. Set design is by Jonathan Sudler with Kala Daily as the Stage Manager.

Tickets are $20 general, $15 Senior 60+/Students and $12 for Children 12 and under. Tickets are available at Kīlauea General Store, Kea‘au Natural Foods, Basically Books and The Most Irresistible Shop in Hilo. For more information and reservations call (808) 982-7344 or email kden73@aol.com.