(WEST WINDSOR, NJ) -- Yardley Players will present Oliver! across two weekends (July 8-10, 15-17) at the Kelsey Theatre located on the Mercer County Community College campus in West Windsor.  A perennial favorite, this three-time Tony Award-winning musical appeals to the emotions with its drama, and through its spirited, timeless songs like “As Long as He Needs Me,” “Food, Glorious Food,” “Consider Yourself,” “I'd Do Anything” and “Where is Love.” Photographer John Posada was on hand to take photos during a dress rehearsal.

Lionel Bart’s classic based on Charles Dickens' novel Oliver Twist takes audiences on a wild adventure through Victorian England. The lead character, Oliver Twist, a malnourished orphan in a workhouse, becomes the neglected apprentice of an undertaker and bravely escapes to London and finds acceptance among a group of petty thieves and pickpockets. Oliver is captured for a theft that he did not commit and the benevolent victim takes him in but the leader of the pickpockets is intent on kidnapping him back! 

The cast features Trevin Davis of Newtown, Pennsylvania as Oliver, Jonathan Stanley of East Windsor as Mr. Bumble, Denise Carey of Newtown, Pennsylvania as Widow Corney, Marc Suznovich of Hamilton as Mr. Sowerberry/Adult Ensemble, Liz Wurtz of Levittown, Pennsylvania as Mrs. Sowerberry, Bridget Godfrey of Robbinsville as Charlotte/Adult Ensemble, Wes Carty of Yardley, Pennsylvania as Noah Claypole/Adult Ensemble, Brayden Davis of Newtown, Pennsylvania as Dodger, Tom Chiola of Trenton as Fagin, Olivia Smith of Trenton as Charley Bates, Chris Schmalbach of Hamilton as Bill Sikes, Avelyn Simons of Princeton as Nancy, Shealyn Davis of Newtown, Pennsylvania as Bet, Doug Eberhart of Yardley, Pennsylvania as Mr. Brownlow, Marge Swider of Langhorne, Pennsylvania as Mrs. Bedwin/Adult Ensemble, Barry Leonard of Monroe as Dr. Grimwig/Adult Ensemble, and Mary Ann Wylie of Yardley, Pennsylvania as Old Sally.

Members of Fagan’s gang and the workhouse include Ezra Cayton Hodges and Jacob Zacks of Princeton; Tristan Davis of Newtown, Pennsylvania; Hannah Garber and Summer Stone of Pennington; Hope Ghaffoor, Kate Kopera and Emma Poppell of Hamilton; Mia Godfrey of Robbinsville; Julianna Gonzalez of Burlington; Jacob King of Wrightstown; Annie Lockman of West Windsor; Addie Marseglia of Levittown, Pennsylvania; and James Petrick of Lawrenceville.

The adult ensemble includes Alexis Plexico, William Augustin, Leslie Kraus, and Kristin Kraus (as the Strawberry Seller) of Levittown, Pennsylvania; Erin Burns, Molly Kopera and Dan Mucha of Hamilton; Aimee Clark and Pam Hernandez of Lawrenceville; Brian Davis and Tristan Davis of Newtown, Pennsylvania; Abigail Gafgen and Cara Pergament of Robbinsville; Edward Hanratty of East Windsor; Katherine Hanratty and Eva Nester of Cranbury; Jenna Moschella of Ewing as the Rose Seller; Laura Raccuglia of Millstone Township, Angela Ronan of Manalapan as the Milk Seller; Patrick Rounds of Princeton as the Knife Grinder; and Steve Vardy of Yardley, Pennsylvania.

The show is produced by Marge Swider and directed by Kristy Davis. Other members of the production team include: Music Director William Augustin, Choreographer Haley Schmalbach, Orchestra Conductor John Demchak, Keyboard Player Lee Milhous, Stage Manager Liz Wurtz, Set Designer Jeff Cantor, Costumer Paula Molino Wolff, Programs Kristy Davis, Props Marge Swider and Kelly Plexico, Publicity John Maurer, Sound Tech Kyle Zamory, Lighting Design Kitty Getlik and Costume Helper Louisa Murey.

Performances take place Friday, July 8 at 8:00pm; Saturday, July 9 at 8:00pm; Sunday, July 10 at 2:00pm & 8:00pm; Friday, July 15 at 8:00pm; Saturday, July 16 at 8:00pm; and Sunday, July 17 at 2:00pm & 8:00pm. Tickets are $22 for adults and $20 for students, senior citizens and children. Tickets may be purchased online at KelseyTheatre.org or by calling the Kelsey Box Office at 609-570-3333. Kelsey Theatre is wheelchair accessible and free parking is available next to the building. Assisted listening devices are available upon request. 

If your theatre company is interested in having John Posada cover your plays, contact New Jersey Stage at info@newjerseystage.com.

ALL PHOTOS BY JOHN POSADA

John Posada is a New Jersey based photographer specializing in photographing live theatre and music performances. For more than 15 years, John has photographed live events where he mastered the techniques of timing and capturing fast moving action under challenging lighting conditions. Currently, John has spent the last 3 years concentrating on photographing almost 200 theatre productions for over 70 different theatres. Click here for John's website.