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Evangel University Humanities Department presents “Oliver Twist,” Thursday-Saturday, March 27-29 & April 3-5

Published on Mar 17, 2014 by Michaela Smith

Photo: Junior Joshua Smith plays Fagin, sophomore Rajeev Colton plays Sikes, senior Amanda Vigil plays Dodger and senior Jared Carpenter plays orphan Charlie Bates in Evangel University’s spring drama production, Oliver Twist.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – The Evangel University Humanities Department will present Charles Dickens’ Oliver Twist on Thursday-Saturday, March 27-29, and April 3-5.

The play will take place in the Barnett Theatre, and the public is invited to attend.

Regular admission tickets are $10. For students, tickets are $7. For groups of 10 or more, tickets are $7 per person. Tickets may be purchased at the door or by visiting www.evangel.edu/OliverTwist

Junior Joshua Smith as Fagin, freshman Ashley Edwards as Oliver and senior Amanda Vigil as Dodger.
Junior Joshua Smith as Fagin, freshman Ashley Edwards as Oliver and senior Amanda Vigil as Dodger.

Show schedule

  • March 27 – 7:30 p.m.
  • March 28 – 7:30 p.m.
  • March 29 – 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
  • April 3 – 7:30 p.m.
  • April 4 – 7:30 p.m.
  • April 5 – 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Glenda Mohr, theatre professor, directs the play.

 

Cast and Characters

•           Ashley Edwards, freshman nonprofit and social enterprise major from Springfield, Mo., as Oliver

•           Amanda Vigil, senior music major from Niagara Falls, N.Y., as Dodger

•           Abby Michalowski, junior art major from Valencia, Penn., as Nancy

•           Joshua Smith, junior theatre major from Pueblo, Colo., as Fagin

Junior Esther Malone, senior Jannie Balista and senior Amanda Vigil.
Junior Esther Malone, senior Jannie Balista and senior Amanda Vigil.

Synopsis

In Victorian England, Oliver Twist was born in the workhouse orphanage where his mother died in childbirth. Now an adolescent, Oliver manages to escape from the workhouse and make his way to London. There, Oliver is welcomed into a group of other young boys, headed by the Artful Dodger, who “make wallets” under the direction of Fagin. The boys are actually pickpockets.

One of Fagin’s associates is Bill Sikes, whose girlfriend, Nancy, is devoted to him despite his abuse of her. Oliver looks to Nancy as his one true friend, especially needed when he discovers what Fagin and the boys actually do. Oliver also comes to the attention of the wealthy Mr. Brownlow. Out of circumstance, Bill sees Oliver as both an asset and a liability.

As Oliver and Nancy’s friendship grows, Nancy has to decide whether to be loyal to Bill, or do what is best for Oliver by helping him escape, especially as she knows that Brownlow is looking for Oliver when he learns of Oliver’s true heritage.

For more information, contact Judy Peebles at (417) 865-2815, ext. 8640.