A 2023 Summer Production
July 3rd - July 23rd, 2023
Teen Summer Production (For ages 13-17 year olds)
Mondays through Fridays
Times: 10am through 5pm
Performances
Friday July 21st 6:00pm
Saturday July 22nd 1:00 & 6:00pm
Sunday July 23rd 1:00pm
Location
London Nelson Center Park
301 Center Street
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Tickets
- Adults $18.00
- Students & Seniors $14.00
- Children under 6 years FREE
Synopsis
The Broadway Junior adaptation of the classic novel and award-winning musical springs to life with some of the most memorable characters and songs to ever grace the stage.
Consider yourself at home with Oliver! JR., the Broadway Junior version of Lionel Bart's classic musical based on Charles Dickens' novel, Oliver Twist. The Tony and Olivier Award-winning show is one of the few musicals to win an Academy Award for Best Picture and is widely hailed as a true theatrical masterpiece by actors and audience members alike.
The streets of Victorian England come to life as Oliver, a malnourished orphan in a workhouse, becomes the neglected apprentice of an undertaker. Oliver escapes to London and finds acceptance amongst a group of petty thieves and pickpockets led by the elderly Fagin. When Oliver is captured for a theft that he did not commit, the benevolent victim, Mr. Brownlow takes him in. Fearing the safety of his hideout, Fagin employs the sinister Bill Sikes and the sympathetic Nancy to kidnap him back, threatening Oliver’s chances of discovering the true love of a family.
Oliver! JR. is full of classic songs like "Consider Yourself", "Food Glorious Food", and "Oom-Pah-Pah", and perfectly showcases the talents of a large ensemble cast.
Tuitions
Ages 13-19 year olds
Mondays through Fridays
Performances on the final weekend
$795.00 Tuition
Tuition Payments must be made in one payment at the time of registration. We do offer some financial assistance to those who need it (see below) and we can offer a payment plan for those who require that as well. Please email our finance department to get a code to use during registration.
If you have any questions about this please contact us: finance@allabouttheatre.org
Scholarships
If you require financial assistance please print out the application below. There are no guarantees and all applications must be received by a week before the start of the program to be considered.
Scholarship / Financial Aid Information
In addition, we offer a deferred payment plan (DPP) for families who cannot pay the lump sump upfront. This is an option you may select during the registration process online.
Cast of Characters
- Mr. Bumble
Mr. Bumble runs the workhouse where Oliver finds himself in the beginning of the show. He is cold, cruel, and he doesn’t care one bit about the boys in his workhouse. Cast a good actor and decent singer who reads as older onstage and makes a good team with Widow Corney.
Gender: Male
Vocal range top: F4
Vocal range bottom: Bb2
- Widow Corney
Widow Corney runs the workhouse along with Mr. Bumble. She is cold and calculating, like Mr. Bumble, and only cares that the work gets done and puts money in her pocket. Cast a good actor and singer who works well with Mr. Bumble.
Gender: Female
Vocal range top: Eb5
Vocal range bottom: B3
- Oliver Twist
Oliver Twist is the 11-year-old orphan around which the whole plot of the show revolves. Oliver is intelligent and kind, but he is not afraid to stand up for himself when the situation calls for it. He longs for a family and escapes to London to try to make his fortune – though he has no idea what adventures await him there! Ideally, Oliver should read as younger onstage, but a great singer with a strong stage presence is more important than a physically smaller actor.œ
Gender: Male
Vocal range top: E5
Vocal range bottom: A3
- Mr. Sowerberry
Mr. Sowerberry is the undertaker who purchases Oliver from Mr. Bumble. He is a callous man who does not treat Oliver much better than Mr. Bumble. He does not sing a solo but should be an actor that pairs well with Mrs. Sowerberry. Gender: Male
- Mrs. Sowerberry
Mrs. Sowerberry gives Oliver scraps left for the dog to eat. She, like her husband, does not care at all for Oliver’s well-being and only wants him to work. Cast an actor who pairs well with Mr. Sowerberry. Gender: Female
- Charlotte
Charlotte works for the Sowerberrys. She is kinder to Oliver than the others in the Sowerberry home, but not by much. Charlotte has a few lines but does not sing, so feel free to cast a performer new to the stage in this role. Gender: Female
- Noah Claypole
Noah Claypole works for the Sowerberrys. He is a mean, nasty person who insults Oliver’s mother on purpose to upset him. Noah should read as older onstage than Oliver and have good stage presence. He does not have to sing. Gender: Male
- Artful Dodger
The Artful Dodger, a.k.a. Jack Dawkins, is one of the most famous characters in literature. He is charming, upbeat, and charismatic. Though Dodger works for Fagin as a thief, he is the first person to show Oliver real kindness and gives him a place to belong. Cast a great singer and actor who exudes charm and commands the stage.
Gender: Male
Vocal range top: E5
Vocal range bottom: A3
- Fagin
Fagin recruits, trains, and manages a gang of child-thieves. Though he claims he cares for each of his children, providing them food and shelter and characteristically calling them “my dear,” he’s really only concerned with the money these young thieves bring in. Cast a charismatic actor with a robust voice who can portray Fagin’s nuanced charm.
Gender: Male
Vocal range top: G4
Vocal range bottom: C3
- Charlie Bates
Charlie Bates is one of Fagin’s child-thieves. He is a great admirer of the Artful Dodger and an accomplished pocket-picker. Cast a good actor and singer in this fun role.
Gender: Male
Vocal range top: B4
Vocal range bottom: G4
- Nipper
Nipper is the smallest member of Fagin’s gang. He has a small solo but no lines, so cast an actor of a smaller stature who can sing in this role.
Gender: Any
Vocal range top: E4
Vocal range bottom: A3
- Captain
The CAPTAIN and HANDWALKER are children in Fagin’s gang. They each have small solos, so make sure these actors are comfortable singing onstage.
Gender: Any
Vocal range top: A4
Vocal range bottom: B3
- Handwalker
The CAPTAIN and HANDWALKER are children in Fagin’s gang. They each have small solos, so make sure these actors are comfortable singing onstage.
Gender: Any
Vocal range top: B4
Vocal range bottom: D4
- Nancy
Nancy is an adventurous young lady with a heart of gold who has fallen in with the wrong crowd. She is vivacious and kind, the life of the party, and she immediately takes Oliver under her wing. Unfortunately, she is involved with Bill Sikes, who is a troublesome person. Cast a fantastic actress and great singer in this dynamic role.
Gender: Female
Vocal range top: E5
Vocal range bottom: G3
- Bet
Bet is a friend of Nancy’s who shares her spirited nature and sense of adventure. Like Nancy, Bet has a kind heart but has fallen upon hard times. Cast a reliable singer and dancer who pairs well with Nancy.
Gender: Female
Vocal range top: D5
Vocal range bottom: A3
- Mr. Brownlow
Mr. Brownlow is a sweet man who takes Oliver in, even after Oliver has picked his pocket. Oliver is familiar to Mr. Brownlow immediately, even though he has no idea that Oliver is his grandchild. Mr. Brownlow doesn’t have any solos, so he does not have to be a singer. This role is perfect for a strong, caring actor. Gender: Male
- Bill Sykes
Bill Sykes is a quintessential villain. He is mean, selfish, and ruthless, and he always looks out for number one. He bullies everyone around him, especially Nancy, and is paranoid, always afraid that people will betray him. Cast a terrific actor and consistent singer who can lean into this character’s menacing presence.
Gender: Male
Vocal range top: D4
Vocal range bottom: B2
- Chairman
The Chairman is a small featured role in the Three Cripples Public House. His few lines are crucial to the storytelling, so be sure to cast an actor in this role who has solid diction and can project. Gender: Male
- Mrs. Bedwin
Mrs. Bedwin is Mr. Brownlow’s kindhearted housekeeper. This is a lovely featured role for a singer and actor who reads as older onstage.
Gender: Female
Vocal range top: B4
Vocal range bottom: C4
- Milkmaid
The MILKMAID, STRAWBERRY SELLER, KNIFE GRINDER, and ROSE SELLER are featured roles that fill out the world of Oliver! JR. They all have solos, so cast good singers in these roles. These roles are great for younger performers who may not be ready to take on a larger part.
Gender: Female
Vocal range top: C5
Vocal range bottom: Eb4
- Strawberry Seller
The MILKMAID, STRAWBERRY SELLER, KNIFE GRINDER, and ROSE SELLER are featured roles that fill out the world of Oliver! JR. They all have solos, so cast good singers in these roles. These roles are great for younger performers who may not be ready to take on a larger part.
Gender: Female
Vocal range top: Eb5
Vocal range bottom: Eb4
- Knife Grinder
The MILKMAID, STRAWBERRY SELLER, KNIFE GRINDER, and ROSE SELLER are featured roles that fill out the world of Oliver! JR. They all have solos, so cast good singers in these roles. These roles are great for younger performers who may not be ready to take on a larger part.
Gender: Male
Vocal range top: G3
Vocal range bottom: Bb2
- Rose Seller
The MILKMAID, STRAWBERRY SELLER, KNIFE GRINDER, and ROSE SELLER are featured roles that fill out the world of Oliver! JR. They all have solos, so cast good singers in these roles. These roles are great for younger performers who may not be ready to take on a larger part.
Gender: Female
Vocal range top: Ab4
Vocal range bottom: Bb3
- Dr. Grimwig
Dr. Grimwig is a featured acting role. He is extremely intelligent but a bit pessimistic, especially compared to Mr. Brownlow. Cast a character actor who will enjoy playing an older character onstage in this non-singing role. Gender: Male
- Old Sally
OLD SALLY and the MATRON confirm that Oliver is Agnes’s son, and therefore Mr. Brownlow’s grandson. These featured roles do not have solos, so they are perfect for actors who can deliver their important lines clearly. Gender: Female
- Matron
OLD SALLY and the MATRON confirm that Oliver is Agnes’s son, and therefore Mr. Brownlow’s grandson. These featured roles do not have solos, so they are perfect for actors who can deliver their important lines clearly. Gender: Female
- Ensemble
The large ensemble in Oliver! JR. fills out the world of the musical. The ensemble roles include CHILDREN (including CHILD), WORKHOUSE GOVERNORS, SERVANTS, MAID, DELIVERY PERSON, PAUPER ASSISTANTS, PEOPLE IN THE CITY (including PASSING MAN), FAGIN’S GANG, POLICEMAN, CUSTOMERS at the Three Cripples Public House, STREET SELLERS, MARKET SELLERS, CROWD in the Town square (including FIRST WOMAN, SECOND WOMAN, THIRD WOMAN and FIRST MAN), PEOPLE and POLICE at London Bridge (including LAMPLIGHTER, FIRST RUNNER, POLICE 1, POLICE 2). Gender: Any
Musical Numbers
- Food Glorious Food
- Oliver
- Boy For Sale
- Where Is Love?
- Consider Yourself
- Pick A Pocket Or Two
- Rum-Tum-Tum
- It's A Fine Life
- I'd Do Anything
- Be Back Soon
- Oom-Pah-Pah
- My Name
- As Long As He Needs Me
- Where Is Love? (Reprise)
- Who Will Buy? (Part 1)
- Who Will Buy? (Part 2)
- It’s A Fine Life (Reprise)
- Reviewing The Situation
- Oliver (Reprise)
- As Long As He Needs Me (Reprise)
- London Bridge
- Bows
Parent Volunteer Hours
We need your help! This is a very rewarding part of the summer production experience - there are many roles the fit everyone's schedule and there's something for everyone..!
To make all of this magic come together, we do request that each family contribute approx. 20 hours of volunteer time (plus additional 5 hours per additional child in same production). These hours go swiftly and really provide an opportunity to connect with our other families and to build community whilst supporting the greater process and your child(ren) as well as all those in the production.
If you are unable to commit to these mandatory volunteer hours, you may buy out the load in, strike, or volunteer hours.
Rehearsal Location
831-345-6340 • info@allabouttheatre.org