OLIVER! To Play the Covina Center for the Performing Arts, 7/1-8/8

The Covina Center for the Performing Arts is proud to announce the opening of its summer musical Oliver! for a six week- end run, July 1 through August 8. This production of the 1963 Tony winning Lional Bart musical, based on the Dicken's classic Oliver Twist is directed, choreographed, and designed by CCPA veteran Angelo Collado.

The title role of Oliver will be alternated between Joseph Banuelos of La Verne and Dillan Klena of West Covina. Joseph will open as the orphaned Oliver, and Dillan will open in the role of the streetwise Artful Dodger. The Dodger will also be played by Ian Berry of San Dimas. Kelly Roberts, a newcomer to the CCPA stage, is the comic villain, Fagin; Samantha Claire plays Nancy, the tragic heroine originated by Georgia Brown on Broadway, and Anthony Rutowicz, recently seen in the CCPA production of The Foreigner, will play Bill Sykes. Yazmine C. Fleming-Peterson, of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts who most recently directed CCPA's Nunsense will serve as musical director of this cast of 45, with Chris Cotone, lighting director for last season's A Light In the Piazza returning to CCPA with the lighting design. Kelly Tracey costumes the 1850's classic, assisted by Liz Dreisbach. Amanda Simeone is the dialect coach and Nandy Novoa will stage manage.

Others in the cast include Joel Simeone, Mr Bumble; Jill Gerber, Widow Corney; Peter Bueras and Bethany Stavros as Mr. and Mrs. Sowerberry; Sarah Palmer as Charlotte; Lindsey Conway and Britney Voitel share the role of Bet; and David Billman is Mr. Brownlow. Amanda Simeone is Mrs. Bedwin; Darren Bonaparte is Noah; Kristin Carty is Old Sally and Bethany Stavros is the Old Lady. Rounding out the ensemble, playing workhouse boys, street runners, pickpockets, vendors, criers, watchmen, charman, crowd chorus and other minor characters are Louie Acosta, Molly Billman, Brooke Boyd, Marvin Brown, Hally Faust, Faith Ruehlman, and Sergio Velasco.

Youths in the cast are students enrolled in the Young Performers Institute summer program including Thalia Atallah, Emily and Isabel Baeza, Amanda Bourne, Juliana Coral, Skylir Dennis, Mirabella Isais, Isabell Juarez, Mira and Lyssandra Klier, Rachel Stallings, Andrea Barboza, and Erin Lopez. They will play street urchins and pickpockets.

The production will run Thursdays through Sundays. The curtain for Thursdays, Fridays and Saturday will be at 8 pm, and Sunday matinees will begin at 2 pm. The show will run from July 1 through August 8. No performance will be offered July 4. All seats are $34 and may be purchased by calling the box office at 626 331 8133 or on line at www.covinacenter.com.

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