Pioneer Times Photo/Joseph Cyr
LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION — Houlton Southside School fourth-grade students performed two shows Friday of “Oliver Twist” as part of the Children’s Stage Adventure. Acting out a scene are, from left, Mariah Peterson, Kayleigh McNinch and Riley Sylvain.
HOULTON — The classic Charles Dickens’ tale “Oliver Twist” came to life on the Southside School stage Friday. “Oliver Twist” is a Children’s Stage Adventures production presented by the fourth-graders at Southside.
This original musical adaptation tells the story of the orphaned boy whose good and sturdy spirit support him through the difficult and exciting times of growing up in Victorian England along with all the fascinating characters involved in Oliver’s life: the Artful Dodger, Fagin, the menacing Bill Sikes and the kind-hearted Nancy. The story follows Oliver from the miseries of the workhouse to the dangerous streets of London where he becomes involved in a plot containing mystery, robbery, and kidnapping. All is resolved when Oliver’s true identity is discovered and he finds a home and happiness with his great uncle, Mr. Brownlow.
The show featured an original script and song lyrics by Lorrie and Rob Gray with classical music arranged for the play by Lorrie Gray.
Oliver Twist featured 50 local children. Throughout the past week, these performers worked in intensive rehearsals conducted by the CSA actor/educators.
Oliver was played by Kayleigh McNinch. Mariah Peterson and Riley Sylvain appeared as the Artful Dodger and his pal, Charlie Bates. Emily Shaw and Madalyn Quirk appeared as Mr. Brownlow and Rose Maylie respectively.
The citizens of London were played by Caden Foster, Emily Lambert, Jordan Miller, Jed Gilpatrick, Abby Cox, Samara Richards, Cindy Hannigan, Kalie Bither and Lydia Byron. Mr. Bumble and Mrs. Corney were played by Nick Hardy and Natalie DeLucca respectively. The workhouse boys were played by Kara Prosser, Emma Swallow, Tanner Polchies, Elexis Phillips, Emma Foreman, Maggie Crowley, Grace Hardy, Aiden Murdock, Kaylee Galen and Hillary Peabody. Bill Sikes was played by Dakota Boyce and Mercedes Avery appeared as Nancy. Avalon Williams, Elizabeth Dahlk, Madison Marino, Alexandria Craig, Elizabeth Howe, Teadora Wilde, Zachary Jeffery and Hailey Quint were part of Fagin’s gang. The Night Creatures, a group of bats and Owls, were played by Sasha Caron, Hanna Foreman, LilliAnn Mullen, Dalton Goodale, Sydney Harvey, Charles Clark, Madison Smith, Blythe Gowen, Tabria Flewelling and Breanna Connors. Assistant directors were Collin Crouse, Caden Fitzpatrick and Abby Fitzpatrick. Marilyn Burns accompanied.
The Children’s Stage Adventures actor/educators, Erin Grubbs and Amanda Foreman, appeared as Fagin and Mrs. Bedwin, as well as narrators in the show.
Pioneer Times Photo/Joseph Cyr
IN CHARACTER — Zachary Jeffery, left, and Teadora Wilde perform a scene from “Oliver Twist.”
Pioneer Times Photo/Joseph Cyr
OW! — Dakoda Boyce, left, acts out a scene with Erin Grubbs, tour member from the Children’s Stage Adventures troop.
Pioneer Times Photo/Joseph Cyr
MERCHANTS — Singing a song during Friday’s Children’s Stage Adventure production are Houlton Southside School students, from left, Kalie Bither, Jordan Miller and Cindy Hannigan.
