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For Immediate Release
Contact: Mary Suminski |
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HERSHEY AREA PLAYHOUSE ANNOUNCES CAST OF OLIVER |
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The Hershey Area Playhouse is pleased to announce the cast of its summer musical “Oliver!,” the tale of an innocent and lonely orphan boy in nineteenth century London. Based on the Charles Dickens novel, Oliver Twist, the HAP production features the music, lyrics and book by Lionel Bart and is under the direction of Cory Wilkerson. Keith Wiley is musical director and the producers are Tracey Ford and Matthew Ford. Oliver! will be performed July 13 through July 16, at 7 PM, at Hershey High School. The title role will be played by Damian DiFlorio, a fourth grader at Hershey Christian School. Damian has worked as an extra in New York City for television and is a featured extra in a movie called “The 4th Dimension.” This is his first appearance with the Playhouse. Cheryl Powell will play Nancy, a young Cockney woman with a warm heart who tries to help Oliver avoid the pitfalls of dishonesty surrounding him. Ms. Powell is a member of the Harrisburg Choral Society whose previous roles include a Boylen sister in “Annie,” and Lenny in “Crimes of the Heart.” Fagin, the con man who trains a young gang of pickpockets to steal for him, is played by Mark Cuddy. This is Mr. Cuddy’s fourth production with Hershey Area Playhouse, previously appearing in “The Fantasticks,” “The Wizard of Oz” and “Bus Stop.” His theater experiences include stints with Ephrata ACT, Lebanon Community Theater, and PA Historic Dramas. Supporting roles will be played by Robert May (Artful Dodger); Curt Sisco (Bill Sykes); Rick Anderson (Mr. Bumble); Colleen Mulliken (Widow Corney); John Messmer (Mr. Sowerberry); Susan Cort (Mrs. Sowerberry); Tom Curry (Mr. Brownlow); Jill Wiley (Bet); Mary Katerman (Charlotte); Matthew Berry (Noah Claypole); Celia Lerner (Mrs. Bedwin); Neal Ambron (Dr. Grimwig); Thomas Szeltner (Charlie Bates), and Maxine Oliver (Old Sally). The Workhouse Children and Fagin’s Gang are played by: Jaiden Buchan, Christian Cassidy-Amstutz, Caroline Cunfer, Haley Dobson, Adam Firestone, Caroline Gorland, Leah Holbrook, Elizabeth Jackson, Erin Kelly, Kristen Leader, Danica Lehmann, Brydon Lidle, Coleman Lidle, Christian Merkel, Gregory Merkel, Brennan Neal, Jimmy Pagano, Nick Perry, Olivia Pfeffer, Samantha Pierce, Samantha Robison, Katie Rossiter, Mallory Royer, Meredith Royer, Tori Sexsmith, Sarah Taylor and Chris Wilson. The dancers are: Kate Faherty, Bridget Fitzpatrick, Emily Grigsby, Rebecca Kolstrom, Jacqueline Kosoff and Aimee Robison. The London Children and Beggars are played by: Katherine Bravacos, Lauren Cunfer, Rosalia Luciano, Allyna May, Micaela Sisco, Sarah Suminski and Madeleine Waters. The Townspeople of London are played by: Marley Amstutz, Jackie Brock, Rachel Carbon, Catherine DeLuce, Sarah Errikson, Angela Giardina, Brian Harkless, Glenn Hoy, Samantha Marks, Marcia Martin, Harry Menear, Greg Merkel, Emma Monismith, Mary Morrow, Rebekah Nettekoven, Scott Payonk, Martika Porr, Kristine Robinson, Christopher Stutzman, Aleta Ann Sultana, Fritz Sultana and Brandon Yenser. This production wouldn’t be possible without the following crew members: Jay Kollar, Jordan Kollar, Lauren Basti, Jen Feldser (stage crew); Sandra McCann, (choreographer), Michelle Robertson, (assistant choreographer); Cindy Nye (rehearsal pianist) ; Jan DeAngelis, Tim Wallace, Carlton Hoke (scenic design); Steve Sexsmith, Don Kissinger, Brian Lynch (set designers); Jeff Black (additional set construction). Also: Barbara Tushop (costumes), Karen Hipple (costumes assistant); Deb Wiley (set dresser); Lee Tinkey (props); Theresa Ridge (lighting designer); Pete Ridge (light crew); Tim Banis (sound design and crew); Karen Hipple, Kim Buchan (make-up); Mary Suminski (publicity); Jeannie Kollar (programs); Debbie Nifong (front-of-house manager); Michael Feldser (photographer); Justin McCann (video); Kate Dougherty (children wrangler). Mike Lazorcik (website designer and contact). Tickets are $15 for adults and $13 for children 12 and under. Advance ticket group sales of 20 or more are $13. Tickets may be purchased at the door the evening of each performance. For more information, please call the Hershey Area Playhouse at 533-8525 or visit the website at www.hersheyareaplayhouse.com. ### |