Park Square Hosts Food Drive During OLIVER TWIST

"Please sir, I want some more." Oliver Twist's famous line describing the struggles of the poor in Victorian England reminds us that hunger still exists in today's world. Many in our community rely on food programs to help feed themselves and their families. In recognition of the messages of Charles Dickens' well-know classic, Oliver Twist, on stage at Park Square Theatre October 14 through November 6, the theatre is hosting a food drive for Emergency Foodshelf Network (EFN). Members of the community and theatre patrons are encouraged to bring healthy nonperishable food to donate at the theatre. As a way of saying thanks, Park Square is offering a $5 discount coupon for tickets to any performance this season. Beginning October 10 through November 6, donations may be made from noon to 5 p.m. at the box office in the historic Hamm Building, 20 West 7th Place, Saint Paul, or prior to Oliver Twist performances.

Joel Sass designs and directs the Midwest premiere of an inventive new adaptation of Charles Dickens' classic story at Park Square Theatre. "Almost every single word of dialogue comes verbatim from the novel-you really feel as if you are hearing Dickens' characters speaking directly to you," Sass explains. "I've been researching old British theaters, period costume, traditions of pantomime, tableaux, shadow-plays, and listening to old music and songs of the period. What has begun to emerge is a slightly creepy, highly flexible stage space filled with ropes, pulleys, wheels and places to hide. "

"So much of the story hinges on our hopes and fears for little Oliver as he voyages through the exciting but highly dangerous world of Victorian London," Sass continues. "It's a grown-up world, even for streetwise ruffians-so placing one lone boy among a cast of grown-ups who are playing all the other parts instantly helps us feel the immensity of the challenge Oliver is facing."
This Midwest premiere of OLIVER TWIST opens October 21 and runs through November 6 at Park Square Theatre, 20 W. Seventh Place, Saint Paul. Previews run October 14 - 20. Directed and designed by Joel Sass, the top-notch cast features Steve Hendrickson (Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Jersey Lily) as Fagin and introduces Noah Coon to Park Square audiences as Oliver Twist. The cast includes Patrick Bailey, Stephen Cartmell, Hope Cervantes, Eric Gravez , Ellen Kirk, Lindsay Marcy, Adam Qualls, David P. Schlosser, Eric Sharp, E.J. Subkoviak, and Cheryl Willis.

OLIVER TWIST's creative team includes Mary Anna Culligan (costume designer), Jake Endres (musical director), Michael P. Kittel (lighting designer), C. Andrew Mayer (sound designer), Kirby Moore (properties designer), Doug Scholtz-Carlson (fight choreographer), Lucinda Holshue (dialect coach), Gregory Brosofske (composer/arranger) and James Meyers (assistant director).

In addition to 17 general audience performances, OLIVER TWIST will have six weekday matinees for high school students. For tickets and information, contact the box office at 651.291.7005 or on the web at parksquaretheatre.org.

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