WHAT: Community theater group Fairfield Center Stage (FCS) will present the classic family musical OLIVER in downtown Fairfield, CT. The show runs for two weekends, Nov 8-17 2024 at Wakeman Hall inside First Church Congregational of Fairfield at 148 Beach Rd (free parking lot onsite). Tickets ($30 Regular / $45 VIP) are available for sale now.

WHEN: The performance schedule is as follows: Fri Nov 8 @ 7:30pm, Sat Nov 9 @ 2pm, Sat Nov 9 @ 7pm, Sun Nov 10 @ 4pm, Fri Nov 15 @ 7:30pm, Sat Nov 16 @ 2pm, Sat Nov 16 @ 7pm, Sun Nov 17 @ 4pm.

WHO:
Production:
The all-local production staff includes Director/Choreographer Todd Santa Maria, Music Director Eli Newsom, Children’s Chorus Director Elissa Ranney, Scenic Designer Kelley Wright, Costume Designer Rick Calvo, Sound Designer Chris Gensur, and Lighting Designer Don Rowe. Brian Bish serves as Media Manager, and Trudi Durrell serves as Stage Manager. Fairfield Center Stage is led by Artistic Director Christy McIntosh-Newsom & Executive Producer Eli Newsom.

Cast: This production will feature a cast of 40 local performers and a live onstage band of 7 musicians. The all-local cast includes (some roles are double cast, scroll down further for performance schedule for double cast roles):

CJ Newsom (Oliver Twist at some performances), Julian Whitcombe (Oliver Twist at some performances), Marc Improta (Fagin), Samantha Moore (Nancy), Robert Alexander (Bill Sykes) Muhammad Ali Sarr (Artful Dodger), Mike Traum (Mr. Bumble), Jane Barnes (Widow Corney), Paul Nicholsen (Mr. Sowerberry), Jennifer Turner (Mrs. Sowerberry), John Moran (Mr. Brownlow), Steve Benko (Dr. Grimwig), Iris Brady (Bet at some performances), Xenia Manning (Bet at some performances), Caroline Sadler (Charlotte), Michael Scholl (Noah Claypoole), James Sorensen (Charlie), and Najlaa Noonan (Mrs. Bedwin). The Ensemble includes: Annabelle Agosta, Patrick Brady, Ben Brennan, Bridget Brennan, Andrew Epstein, Jim Hisey, Sam Matis, Walt Matis, Suraya Noonan, Zahra Noonan, Avonlea Pritchard, Catherine O’ Toole, Brodey Ott, Lindsay Protsko, Hailey Stevenson, Lulu Sommer, James Sorensen, Alba Strumingher, and Mia Tommins.

Ticketing/seating policies:

Regular reserved seating is available for $30. VIP table seating ($45) allows a bring-your-own-food option for 4-top and 6-top tables (must purchase entire table). No outside drinks at this event per the agreement with the venue. Concessions (drinks/snacks) available before and throughout the performance.

Table Seating Bring-Your-Own-Food option: VIP table patrons who have purchased a VIP table (sold as a 4-top or a 6-top) may choose to bring their own food to enjoy before and during the performance. No outside beverages permitted per the agreement with our venue. VIP patrons will also be provided their choice of a bottle of wine or non-alcoholic drinks (soda/water), and additional drinks may be purchased from concessions.

Individual seated patrons ($30): seating will be in regular row seating (folding chairs), 16 seats per row. Bring-Your-Own-Food is not permitted in regular seating due to close proximity to other patrons (no outside food or drinks permitted for this seating section, but concessions food/drinks permitted.)

Seating begins approximately 30 minutes before showtime and the approximate running time is 2 hours and 30 minutes, including one intermission.

Concession snacks and drinks will be available before the show and at intermission. A bar with wine (red / white / sparkling), soft drinks, and candy/snacks will be open before and during the performance. Parking is free in the on-site lot. Indoor public restrooms available.

Patrons will check in at the entrance and show their phone with an order confirmation email. This is a paperless event. All sales are final and there are no refunds or exchanges, with the exception of an unforeseen canceled performance (in which case patrons will have the option to choose between being reseated at another performance, future credit, or a refund). Transferring tickets to another person’s name is allowed, email the box office for requests (info@fairfieldcenterstage.org).

Parental Advisory: all ages welcome (all patrons must have a ticket), but we recommend this production for audience members age 7+. Please no babes in arms --- and as a courtesy to other patrons, guardians are thanked in advance for temporarily removing any rambunctious little ones to the outer lobby during the performance.

Audience Policy: In order to support a collaborative and respectful environment for our performers and audiences, the producers/house staff reserve the right to ask any disruptive patrons to exit the performance space.

About the show: Lionel Bart's classic musical based on the Charles Dickens novel, Oliver Twist is one of the few musicals to win an Academy Award for Best Picture and is widely hailed as a true theatrical masterpiece by actors and audience members alike.

The streets of Victorian England come to life as Oliver, 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 ringleader 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.

DOUBLE CAST ROLE PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE: (we recommend being mindful before purchasing tickets & double check if intending to see a specific actor---no refunds on purchases)

CJ Newsom will play the role of Oliver Twist on Saturday evenings and Sunday afternoons, specifically: Sat Nov 9 @ 7pm, Sun Nov 10 @ 4pm, Sat Nov 16 @ 7pm, Sun Nov 17 @ 4pm.

Julian Whitcombe will play the role of Oliver Twist on Friday evenings and Saturday afternoons, specifically: Fri Nov 8 @ 7:30pm, Sat Nov 9 @ 2pm, Fri Nov 15 @ 7:30pm, Sat Nov 16 @ 2pm.

Xenia Manning plays the role of Bet on Friday evenings and Saturday afternoons, and is a member of the Ensemble on Saturday evenings and Sunday afternoons. Here is her performance schedule: Fri Nov 8 @ 7:30pm as Bet; Sat Nov 9 @ 2pm as Bet; Sat Nov 9 @ 7pm as Ensemble; Sun Nov 10 @ 4pm as Ensemble; Fri Nov 15 @ 7:30pm as Bet; Sat Nov 16 @ 2pm as Bet; Sat Nov 16 @ 7pm as Ensemble; Sun Nov 17 @ 4pm as Ensemble.

Iris Brady plays the role of Bet on Saturday evenings and Sunday afternoons, and is a member of the Ensemble on Friday evenings and Saturday afternoons. Here is her performance schedule: Fri Nov 8 @ 7:30pm as Ensemble; Sat Nov 9 @ 2pm as Ensemble; Sat Nov 9 @ 7pm as Bet; Sun Nov 10 @ 4pm as Bet; Fri Nov 15 @ 7:30pm as Ensemble; Sat Nov 16 @ 2pm as Ensemble; Sat Nov 16 @ 7pm as Bet; Sun Nov 17 @ 4pm as Bet.

Following this production, the 2024/25 season continues with A Christmas Carol Experience, Dec 5-15 2024, FCS Rocks Carole King’s Tapestry (Feb 2025 tbd), and Sister Act (May 2025 tbd). Open call auditions are held throughout the season.

Fairfield Center Stage is a local community theater group in Fairfield, CT that utilizes local artists and staff from Fairfield County. Inspired by the concept of environmental theatre, Fairfield Center Stage dedicates its seasons of shows to putting Fairfield “center stage,” by highlighting several of the town’s amazing venues.

For additional information about Fairfield Center Stage, visit www.fairfieldcenterstage.org