April 8, 2019
Sioux Falls, SD – The Sioux Empire Community Theatre proudly presents Oliver! May 9-19, 2019. Performances will take place at the Sioux Falls Orpheum Theater located at 315 N Phillips Ave. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 7 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m.
Bringing Charles Dickens’ beloved novel to life, Oliver! takes audiences on a wild adventure through Victorian England. Oliver Twist, 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 scheming 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. This engaging three-time Tony Award winner appeals to the emotions with its drama and delights with spirited, timeless songs like “As Long as He Needs Me,” “Food, Glorious Food,” “Consider Yourself,” and “Where is Love.”
This final show of Season 16 features an extraordinarily talented cast of 40, a live orchestra, and an elaborate set and costume design that will take patrons back to Charles Dickens’ 19th-century London. Veteran director Eric E. Parrish, who also directed this season’s Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, returns to direct his fifth production at the Sioux Empire Community Theatre.
The title role, Oliver Twist, will be shared by Isaac Fode, who is making his debut with the Sioux Empire Community Theatre, and Noah Winters. Noah was seen in The Secret Garden, Sister Act, and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Bobby Parker, who has been in several of the Sioux Empire Community Theatre’s summer camps and was last seen in A Christmas Carol, shares the role of the Artful Dodger with Jackson Klawonn. The Sioux Empire Community Theatre is happy to welcome back Thomas Simmons, in the role of Fagin.
Many Sioux Empire Community Theatre regulars return for this production, including Michael Kutter (Mr. Sowerberry), Lisa Barlow-Kutter (Mrs. Sowerberry), Jay Wickre (Mr. Bumble), Alicia J. Van Der Bill (Widow Corney), and Nora Hintze (Nancy).
In keeping with the themes in Oliver!, the Sioux Empire Community Theatre is teaming up with Feeding South Dakota by hosting a food drive during the run of the show. Patrons who donate a non-perishable food item will receive a $1.00 off coupon to The Source .
Of the individuals served by the Feeding South Dakota Food Pantry Program, nearly 50% are under the age of 18. On an average week, over 500 people rely on the Food Pantry Program. In a year, Feeding South Dakota provides 2.2 million emergency meals and serve more than 90,000 people. The Food Pantry is always in need of non-perishable, non-expired food such as: peanut butter, jelly (please avoid any glass jars), cereal, boxes meals (i.e. Hamburger Helper), pasta and rice, canned fruits, canned vegetables, canned meats, and canned pasta.
Ticket Information
Individual show Tickets for Oliver! are $30 for Adults, $15 for Students. Tickets are available online at www.tpplayhouse.wpengine.com or by calling the Box Office at 605-360-4800. Group rates are available.
Season Tickets for the 2019-20 season are now on sale. Season 17 will include: Mamma Mia!, Tuesdays With Morrie, Lend Me A Tenor, and Disney’s Beauty and the Beast.
- Season Tickets are $100 for Adults (A savings of $20 over purchasing individual tickets!)
- Season Tickets are $50 for Students (A savings of $10 over individual tickets!)
About the Sioux Empire Community Theatre
The Sioux Empire Community Theatre (SECT) was incorporated in 2003 and is now in its sixteen season. SECT’s mission is to provide quality, affordable community theatre accessible to all residents of the Sioux Empire; and to provide hands-on learning experiences in the greater Sioux Empire community in all aspects of volunteer-driven theatre performance and production. To that end, the Sioux Empire Community Theatre offers courses and performance opportunities for all ages.
Find out more about our exciting kids’ summer camps by visiting www.tpplayhouse.wpengine.com.
This summer we are offering:
- Singing in the Rain, Jr. for grades 1-8, June 10-23, 2019
- Disney’s 101 Dalmatians KIDS for grades 1-5, July 8-14, 2019
- Peter Pan, Jr. for grades 6-12, August 6-18, 2019
Learn more about the Sioux Empire Community Theatre at www.tpplayhouse.wpengine.com.
Like our page on Facebook to find out the most up to date news.