Photo Coverage: OLIVER! at the White Plains Peforming Arts Center

The Tony Award-winning musical Oliver! is playing at the White Plains Performing Arts Center, Westchester's professional regional theatre located in White Plains, NY. The show runs November 20 - December 14, 2008 as the opening production of the theatre's Bank of America Broadway Classics series.

Based on the classic tale of the orphan boy who asked for more,Lionel Bart's musical masterpiece Oliver! features all the timeless Charles Dickens' characters singing such popular songs as "Food, Glorious Food," "I'd Do Anything," "Consider Yourself," and "As Long As He Needs Me."

Starring in the production are Sidney J. Burgoyne as Fagin and Natalie Venetia Belcon as Nancy. Featured in the cast are Cyrilla Baer (Widow Corney), Jason Edward Cook (Artful Dodger), Alex Covington (Charlotte), John P. Geraghty (Workhouse Boy), Christopher Gray (Workhouse Boy), Steven Hauck (Mr. Brownlow), David Gabriel Lerner (Oliver),Geoff Lutz (Noah Claypole), Benjamin Milan-Polisar (Workhouse Boy), Jan Neuberger (Mrs. Sowerberry/Mrs. Bedlow), Alex Pasieka (Workhouse Boy), Gabriel Rush (Workhouse Boy), Roland Rusinek (Mr. Bumble),William Ryall (Mr. Sowerberry/Dr. Grimwig), Noah Silverman (Workhouse Boy), Rochelle Smith (Bet), Travis Taber (Knife Grinder), Christian Whelan (Bill Sykes).

Sidney J. Burgoyne appeared as The Padre in WPPAC's inaugural production of Man of La Mancha, and was the director of the theatre's highly acclaimed productions of Ragtime and Camelot.  Natalie Venetia Belcon is known to audiences for her roles in the Broadway production of Avenue Q (as the original Gary Coleman) and for her starring role in Lincoln Center's The Glorious Ones.  

Oliver! is directed by Luke Yankee, with Choreography by Melissa Rae Mahon andSean McKnight, Musical Direction by Christopher D. Littlefield, Scenic Design by Michael Hotopp, Costume Design by T. Michael Hall, Lighting Design by Thom Weaver and Sound Design by Wallace Flores. Janet Friedman is Production Stage Manager. The show is produced by Jack W. Batman for the White Plains Performing Arts Center.

Oliver!, winner of three 1963 Tony Awards, has Music, Lyrics and Book by Lionel Bartand is based on "Oliver Twist" by Charles Dickens. This production of Oliver! is sponsored by Entergy. 

Tickets are $60.00/$50.00. Season subscriptions and gift certificates are also available. Bank of America Broadway Classics series begins with Oliver! (November 20 - December 14, 2008), followed by A Little Night Music (March 5 - 22, 2009) and Hello, Dolly! (April 30 - May 17, 2009).  

White Plains Performing Arts Center is located on the third level of City Center at the corner of Main and Mamaroneck in downtown White Plains, NY, just 30 minutes from midtown Manhattan, and there is plenty of convenient parking. For tickets please call 914.328.1600 or buy them online at www.wppac.com.

White Plains Performing Arts Center brings innovative and eclectic entertainment and classic Broadway musicals to appreciative audiences who live throughout the county and beyond. It is Westchester's only professional regional theatre and is now in its second season. Under the direction of Executive Producer Jack W. Batman, the 410-seat, $6 million theatre also hosts local, national and international performing artists whose work reflects Westchester's diverse population. The 2008-2009 Season is sponsored by the City of White Plains, Bank of America, Entergy and other major corporations, government and private foundations and individual donors.

Photos by Genevieve Rafter Keddy

Upcoming shows at the White Plains Performing Arts Center

Opening night of Oliver

Cast and Crew at tonights performance

County Executive Andrew Spano and the Senior Vice President Of Bank of America, N. A.

Bruce Robert Harris (Associate Producer), Mayor Joseph Delfino of White Plains, Senior Vice President Of Bank of America, N. A. , and Jack W. Batman (Executive Producer)

Country Executive Andrew Spano and Jack W. Batman

Jack W. Batman and Nick Wyman (Tale of Two Cities, Les Miserables)

Bruce Robert Harris and Joelle Letta

Jack W. Batman starts the evening

Bruce Robert Harris, Senior Vice President Of Bank of America, N. A. , and Jack W. Batman

Jason Edward Cook (Artful Dodger) and Sidney J. Burgoyne (Fagin) Reviewing the Situation before bringing the cast on for curtain call

The Workhouse Boys/Fagins Gang-John P. Geraghty, Christopher Gray, Alex Pasieka, Benjamin Milan-Polisar, Gabriel Rush, Noah Silverman

Fagins gang/Workhouse Boys

Taylor Clay, Travis Taber, Rochelle Smith, Geoff Lutz, Alex Covington

William Ryall, Jan Neuberger, Gordon Stanley

Cyrilla Baer and Roland Rusinek

Christian Whelan joins the cast for curtain call

Jason Edward Cook

David Gabriel Lerner

Natalie Venetia Belcon

Natalie Venetia Belcon

Finale

Finale

Thanking the orchestra

Curtain call

Entire cast at curtain call

Ed Hummel and Bruce Robert Harris

Gary Rausenberger and Michael Hotopp set builders Cigar Box Studios

Eli and Marsh Gordon Board of Directors White Plains Performing Arts Center

Jim Steets and Lori Sheldon from Entergy one of tonights sponsors

Robert E. Weisz and Bruce Robert Harris

Bruce Robert Harris and Sally Ferretti from Entergy

Dr. GorDon Thomas, Bruce Robert Harris, Ed Hummel, and Miguel Pons

Antipasti Restaurant Presient/Founder Mark Mazzotta which sponsored the show and after party

Alex Pasika and Benjamin Milan-Polisar

Alex Pasieka, Christoper Gray, Benjamin Milan-Polisar

Michael Cassara (Casting), Melissa Rae Mahon (Choreoghapher), Sean McKnight (Choreographer) and Luke Yankee (Director)

Mayor Joseph Delfino and Bruce Robert Harris

Cyrilla Baer (Widow Corney)

John P. Geraghty and Taylor Clay

David Gabriel Lerner (Oliver Twist)

David Garbriel Lerner and John J. Ioris Board of Directors

Rochelle Smith (Bet), Jan Neuberger (Mrs. Bedwin) and Alex Covington (Annie)

The Workhouse Boys/Fagins gang with Oliver Twist

Jason Edward Cook (Artful Dodger) and David Gabriel Lerner (Oliver Twist)

Travis Taber, Jason Edward Cook and Geoff Lutz

Christian Whelan (Bill Sykes) and David Gabriel Lerner

Christian Whelan, Luke Yankee, Jason Edward Cook with David Gabriel Lerner in front

Leslie Kean (Assistant to the Director), Christopher D. Littlefield (Musical Director) and Luke Yankee (Director)

Christian Whelan and Rachel de-Benedet

Jack W. Batman and Sidney J. Burgoyne

Jack W. Batman and Bruce Robert Harris

Fred Sauter and Michael Cassara and Christopher D.Littlefield

Wesley Apfel (Assistant stage manarer) and Janet Friedman (Production stage manager)

Sidney J. Burgoyne and Kate Hathaway

Sidney J. Burgoyne with his Fagin gang-Christoper Gray, Benjamin Milan-Polisar, Alex Pasieka, Gabriel Rush and Noah Silverman