Woodside students stage 'Oliver!' Woodside students stage 'Oliver!' (May 12, 2004)

By Kate Daly
Special to the Almanac

Woodside School's eighth-grade class continues the 48-year-old tradition of putting on a musical before graduation. This time the "operetta," as it's called, is "Oliver!" by Lionel Bart, based on Charles Dickens' book, "Oliver Twist."

The story follows an orphan who's thrown out on the streets and eventually finds friendship and a sense of family.

Showtime is 7 p.m. and performances will be staged from Wednesday, May 26, through Saturday, May 29, at George Sellman Auditorium, 3195 Woodside Road, Woodside.

Elena Mori is back for the third year in a row as operetta director. Ruthie Smith is back for the fourth time as music director. In addition to working with the students, she's playing with a live orchestra of local musicians during the performances.

Woodside School parent Patti Michelsen is back this year as choreographer. She collaborated with Ms. Mori and Ms. Smith on the Woodside Community Theatre's fall production of "Annie Get Your Gun."

School parent Deborah Rosas acted in that musical, and is co-producing this one with parent Kim Cassandro.

Ms. Mori cast Megan Fisher as Oliver and Riley Kelley as the Artful Dodger because, she says, the parts called for soprano voices. Ms. Mori is delighted with the outcome of having girls play many young male roles. She urges everyone to come see "a true Dickensian Faire."

In other leading roles are Katie Rosas as Nancy, Bobby Losey as Fagin, and Lloyd Whitcraft as Bill Sykes.

"Seeing 36 teenagers, most of whom have never been on stage before, come together in a singing, dancing, acting extravaganza is heartwarming and impressive," says Ms. Rosas, who teaches drama at the school.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for students. To order, call 851-1571.

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