BWW Preview: OLIVER! and A SPECTACULAR CHRISTMAS CABARET Close out the Musical Theater Heritage Season

Musical Theater Heritage closes out their 2014 season with two shows running in repertory: Oliver! and A Spectacular Christmas Cabaret. Beginning December 5 Oliver! runs on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays with matinee performances on Saturday and Sunday. A Spectacular Christmas Cabaret runs Mondays December 8, 15, and 22.

"Consider Yourself," "Where Is Love,", "It's A Fine Life," and "As Long As He Needs Me" are but a few of the magnificent songs that will flood the Off Center Theatres stage in Oliver! Sarah Crawford provides direction and musical direction with Assistant Musical Director and conductor Jeremy Watson on piano in the Musical Theater Heritage production.

Oliver! a British musical with music and lyrics by Lionel Bart is based on the Charles Dickens novel Oliver Twist. It premiered in London in 1960, running for 2,600 performances before coming to the United States for a national tour in 1962. Opening on Broadway in 1963 it received nine Tony Award nominations, winning Best Original Score, Best Conductor and Musical Director, and Best Scenic Design.

A cast of 50 takes on this universal theme of one's desire to have a place where they belong; a place where they are welcomed and loved should resonate with everyone . . . young, old, sentimental, or cynic. Jordan Haas stars as Oliver with Kip Niven as Fagin, Samn Wright as Bill Sykes, and Shelby Floyd as Nancy.

A Spectacular Christmas Cabaret is not your typical musical celebration of the season. Act I is a merriment of holiday songs taken from musical theater, while Act II features joyful songs that maintain the spirit of the season. The production includes upbeat and uplifting songs from Bing Crosby & The Andrew Sisters, Carole King, Kool and the Gang, and traditional Christmas favorites.

Created by Tim Scott with musical direction by Jeremy Watson the cast includes Tim Scott, Alison Sneegas Borberg, Jeff Berger, Toni Gates, Katie Karel, Sara Kennedy, Matthew King, Patrick Lewallen, Trista Smith, Pancho Villegas, and George Harter. Jeremy Watson accompanies the ensemble on piano, Brian Wilson on Bass, Michalis Koutsoupides on violin, Joe Levens guitar, and Tod Barnard on drums.

Musical Theater Heritage has two special incentives for the holiday productions. When purchasing one adult ticket one children's ticket is free. This applies to left and right seating only. Toys for Tots through Musical Theater Heritage collected over 200 toys for underprivileged families in 2013. Keeping the spirit alive any patron bringing a new, unwrapped toy with a minimum $10 toy value will receive a free ticket. One free ticket is offered for every two people. Purchase tickets by calling 816-545-6000, at the Off Center Theatre box office, or visit the Musical Theater Heritage website. Photo courtesy of Musical Theater Heritage.