‘Oliver!’ Continues Musicals At Richter Season

DANBURY — Musicals at Richter, Fairfield County’s longest-running outdoor summer theater, closes its 17th season with Oliver!, Lionel Bart’s tuneful take on Charles Dickens’s classic tale. Performances continue through August 11 at Richter Arts Center, 100 Aunt Hack Road. Performances are Friday through Sunday evenings at 8:30 pm.

Winner of three 1963 Tony Awards, the endearing musical chronicles the changing fortunes of the young orphan Oliver Twist, from his early years in a London workhouse to his initiation into a gang of pickpockets, and finally to an unexpected happy family reunion. Along the way he meets many colorful characters, some caring and others conniving and dangerous, but his indomitable spirit prevails.

In addition to the title song, the popular score includes “Food, Glorious Food,” “Consider Yourself,” “Where Is Love?” “It’s A Fine Life,” “You’ve Got To Pick a Pocket or Two,” “Reviewing the Situation,” “As Long As He Needs Me” and  “I’d Do Anything.”

The cast features over 50 local performers including Taber Onthank (Wilton) as Oliver; David Roth (Trumbull) as Fagin, the master pickpocket; Rob Ferzola (Brewster) as the Artful Dodger, Fagin’s  young protégé; Juliette Garrison (Pawling, N.Y.) as the goodhearted Nancy; and Bret Poulter (Waterbury) as the volatile Bill Sikes.

At the workhouse, Simone Varadian (Wilton) portrays Widow Corney, Chris Lieby (Norwalk) is Mr Bumble, and Jan Sanders (Naugatuck) is Sally. Jon Burch (New Canaan) and Anne Giroux (Ridgefield) portray Mr and Mrs Sowerberry, and Patrick Curran (Newtown) plays their apprentice Noah Claypole.

John McMahon (Newtown) is Mr Brownlow, Dick Sanders (Naugatuck) is Dr Grimwig, and Jennifer Hankla (Danbury) is Mrs Bedwin.  Rounding out the principal players are Jennifer Caraluzzi (Bethel) as Bet and Kelsey Crouch-Pinter (Redding) as Charlotte.

Direction, choreography and musical direction for Oliver! are all being handled by Sabrina Post of Newtown. Set design is by Andrew Knapp of Newtown, costume design by Marty Kozlowski of Wilton, with lighting design and tech direction by Eve Clulow of Norwalk.  Joyce Northrop of Danbury serves as producer and George Vollano of Newtown is Musicals at Richter’s Artistic Director.

Now in its 17th season, Musicals at Richter is Fairfield County’s longest-running outdoor summer theater. Nestled in the hills of western Danbury, next to Richter Golf Course, the arts center stage has served as the scenic backdrop for over 40 musicals produced by Musicals at Richter, as well as a professional springboard for hundreds of up-and-coming performers.

Tickets are $15 for adults, and $12 for seniors and $10 for children or students; group rates are available. Grounds open at 7:15 for picnics, with curtain time at 8:30 p.m. Chair rentals are available with advance reservation.

For reservations and further information, call the box office at 748-6873 or visit the Richter Web site at www.musicalsatrichter.org.