Cuyahoga Falls, OH - Porthouse Theatre, Kent State University’s outdoor, summer theatre located on the grounds of Blossom Music Center, concludes its 46th season with Oliver! opening on July 25, 2014. Performances run through August 10. A preview performance will take place on July 24 and a bonus matinee performance will take place on August 9.
Directed by Porthouse Theatre artistic director Terri Kent, Oliver! is a musical masterpiece with music, lyrics and book by Lionel Bart that contains outstanding musical numbers such as “Consider Yourself,” “Who Will Buy,” and “I’d Do Anything.” Oliver! makes Charles Dickens’ classic novel come to life and will capture audiences with its pathos and drama. Performances are July 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31 and Aug. 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 at 8pm; and July 27 and Aug. 3, 9, and 10 at 2pm.
The production features Actors Equity Association members Brian Keith Johnson* as Bill Sykes, Patrick Kennedy* as Artful Dodger, Rohn Thomas*, Lucy Anders*, Mackenzie Duan*, and Kent State School of Theatre and Dance director Eric van Baars* as Fagin.
Cameron Nelson stars as Oliver Twist.
Oliver! also features School of Music assistant professor Timothy Culver, Lissy Gulick, School of Music assistant professor Marla Berg, Christopher D. Tuck, Ethan Montoya, Miriam Henkel-Moellmann, Courtney Nelson, and Elliott Litherland.
The Boys’ Ensemble is comprised of Mary Grace Bentivegna, Anna Clawson, Samuel Culver, Spencer Desberg, Wesley Howell, Jack Kendrick, Margaret Mahaney, Ethan Montoya, Cameron Moss, Carly Nelson and Stanley Niekamp.
Porthouse Theatre’s 2014 Young Professional Company is comprised of Lucy Anders*, Jessica Nicole Benson, Mackenzie Duan* ’14 BFA, Grace Falasco ’14 BFA, Miriam Henkel-Moellmann ’11 BFA, Daniel Lindenberger ’10 BFA, Elliott Litherland, Darian Lunsford, Dylan Ratell ’14 BFA, Christopher D. Tuck, and Shelby Shepard.
Oliver is choreographed by Porthouse assistant artistic director MaryAnn Black and music directed by School of Theatre and Dance assistant professor Jonathan Swoboda. Lighting design is by School of Theatre and Dance alumnus T.C. Kouyeas and scenic design is by School of Theatre and Dance alumnus Nolan O’Dell. Costume design is by Sarah Russell MFA ‘09, sound design is by Brian Chismar MFA ‘13 and technical direction is by Ryan T. Patterson. Actors’ Equity production stage manager is Derric Nolte.
For tickets, call 330-672-3884, purchase online at www.porthousetheatre.com or in person at the Porthouse Box Office located in the Roe Green Center lobby of the Center for the Performing Arts at 1325 Theatre Drive, Kent, OH 44242. The box office is open Monday – Friday, 11am to 5 pm. The box office accepts Visa, MasterCard, Discover, checks, and cash.
Note: Gold Center tickets refer to the best seats, senior pricing applies to individuals age 60+ and student pricing applies to those 18 and under or with valid college ID.
Single tickets, ranging from $28 - $37 for adults and seniors and $16 - $24 for students, are on sale now.
Special rates for groups of 20 or more are available, as are student rates.
*Member of the Actors’ Equity Association.
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Media Contact: Joni Koneval, jkoneval@kent.edu, 330-672-0116