Written by Amanda Coers – The Lyric Theatre will be presenting a musical version of Charles Dickens’ novel, Oliver Twist, beginning July 7th and running through July 16th. An interesting twist in this latest production is the family of the Lyric itself, with parents performing alongside their children in this classic tale of an orphan boy seeking a family of his own.
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There has been a whirlwind of activity at the historical Lyric Theatre to make this show possible. With a cast comprised of a large number of children, schedules were a jumble to organize.
“It’s a zoo to try to get everybody here,” laughs Nancy Jo Humfeld, director of Oliver: The Musical at the Lyric. “You just roll with the punches as best you can.”
Auditions for the show were held May 7th. The summer is often a challenging time for the Lyric players with end of the school year events, as well as children leaving to attend camps, and family vacations. But to see the love of the theatre passed from parent to child makes it all worth it.
“That is the neatest part of what we do. We are a family and it’s fun to see kiddos who have been to our workshops and now we see them in significant roles,” said Humfeld.
Parents performing alongside their children include: Austin Bynum and his daughter Megan, along with her twin sister Rae operating the spotlight; Jonathan and Billie Harvey with their son Sam; Brownwood Mayor Stephen Haynes and his daughter Emily; Jennifer Reeves and her daughter Braylee; Sandra Richardson and her daughter Carlee; Jen Evetts and her son James; brothers Christopher, Caleb, and Conner Freeland; and James Hamilton and his son, Judah.
If the Lyric players are a family, that makes Nancy Jo Humfeld their mother, and like any mom, she couldn’t be more proud.
“They are amazing, and just a joy to work with,” she beamed as the performers set the stage during a dress rehearsal Monday night.
The production is sponsored by TexasBank and there will be a special “Grand Dress” performance for first responders and local law enforcement on Thursday night, courtesy of TexasBank, to thank them for their service to the community.
Public showtimes are:
- Friday, July 7th, at 7:30 p.m.
- Saturday, July 8th, at 2:30 and 7:30 p.m.
- Sunday, July 9th, at 2:30 p.m.
- Friday, July 14th, at 2:30 and 7:30 p.m.
- Saturday, July 15th, at 7:30 p.m.
- Sunday, July 16th, at 2:30 p.m.
Tickets are $20 for adults, and $10 for students, and can be purchased online or at the door.
From the Lyric Theatre site:
Consider yourself at home with Lionel Bart’s classic musical based on Charles Dickens’ novel, Oliver Twist. The Tony and Olivier Award-winning show is one of the few musicals to win an Academy Award for Best Picture and is widely hailed as a true theatrical masterpiece by actors and audience members alike. The streets of Victorian England come to life as Oliver, a malnourished orphan in a workhouse, becomes the neglected apprentice of an undertaker. Oliver escapes to London and finds acceptance amongst a group of petty thieves and pickpockets led by the elderly Fagin. When Oliver is captured for a theft he did not commit, the benevolent victim, Mr. Brownlow takes him in. Fearing the safety of his hideout, Fagin employs the sinister Bill Sikes and the sympathetic Nancy to kidnap him back, threatening Oliver’s chances of discovering the true love of a family.
Oliver – Cast (in order of appearance)
- Oliver: Carson Hill
- Workhouse Boys: Caleb Freeland, Connor Freeland, Judah Hamilton, Sam Harvey, Michael McNeely, Roman Mills, Isaac Moreno, Drew Reynolds, Kaedon Robertson, Braeden Terry, James Williams
- Workhouse Assistants: Megan Bynum, Emily Haynes, Carlee Richardson, Sandra Richardson
- Governors: James Hamilton, Stephen Haynes, Derek Smith, Nicholas Yeakley
- Mr. Bumble: Jeff Woods
- Widow Corney: Shannon Lee
- Matron: Jen Williams Evetts
- Mr. Sowerberry: Keith Taylor
- Mrs. Sowerberry: Billie Harvey
- Charlotte: Kenedi Deal
- Noah: Josh Lawson
- Dodger: Christopher Freeland
- Gang (Fagin’s Boys): Caleb Freeland, Connor Freeland, Sam Harvey, Michael McNeely, Roman Mills, David Morales, Isaac Moreno, Kaedon Robertson, Braeden Terry
- Captain: Drew Reynolds
- Charley: James Williams
- Nipper: Judah Hamilton
- Fagin: Austin Bynum
- Bill Sikes: Jonathan Harvey
- Nancy: Jennifer Reeves
- Bet: McKenna Towell
- Mr. Brownlow: Doug House
- Cop: Nicholas Yeakley
- Tavernkeeper: Terry Cantwell
- Mrs. Bedwin: Priscilla Monson
- Rose Seller: Kenedi Deal
- Milkmaid: Niki Brown
- Strawberry Seller: Billie Harvey
- Knife Grinder: Stephen Haynes
- Dr. Grimwig: Ben Cox
- Maid: Ashton Jones
- Boy: Alex Dobson
- Old Sally: Caitlyn Tidwell
- Bow Street Runners: Terry Cantwell, James Hamilton, Derek Smith
- Townspeople: Danna Beane, Jen Williams Evetts, Ashton Jones, Carlee Richardson, Niki Brown, James Hamilton, Rickey Jones, Sandra Richardson, Megan Bynum, Billie Harvey, Josh Lawson, Derek Smith, Terry Cantwell, Emily Haynes, Peggy Powell, Keith Taylor, Kenedi Deal, Stephen Haynes, Braylee Reeves, Nicholas Yeakley, Alex Dobson