Oliver! Takes the Streets of Kent County

Kent County High School and Kent County Middle School partnered together to perform the musical production of Oliver! Three performances of the musical were held in the KCHS auditorium on February 28th, 29th, and March 1st. Lori Armstrong directed Oliver!, with help from Stephanie Spencer and Noel Morris.

Oliver is about a young, vulnerable boy who roams the streets of London. Along his way he meets new people, deals with hardship, and finds his family. Oliver was surrounded by crime, abuse, and violence on his journey through London. Director Lori Armstrong said, “... the story and dialogue were a challenge to stage because I wanted to sensitively downplay some of these elements.”

The main cast included middle schoolers Alden Swanson as Oliver and Avery Hitsgez as the Dodger; High schoolers Cynthia Faber as Ms. Sowerberry and Widow Corner; Z Kendall as Mr. Sowerberry; Emily Spencer as Nancy; Mayowa Taiwo as Mr. Bumble; Jon Conner as Bill Sikes; and Annie Squire Southworth as Ma Fagin.

The high school used the middle school students to their advantage to portray the large amount of young characters in the play. Oliver! is the second musical where the high school combined with the middle school; Music Man being the first. Ms. Armstrong said,

“My favorite part was working with the students from both the middle school and high school-teaching the cast wonderful music, working everyday with artists Mrs. Spencer and Mrs. Morris, and loving how the choreographers- KT Pagano and Brianna Pinder worked their magic with dance.”

Oliver! was a perfect play for newcomers. The play was full of new actors ready to try out their first musical. Senior Mayowa Taiwo says, “I had no intention of joining the play at first, but Mrs. Morris said ‘It’s best to try something and not like it rather than not try it at all and never experience it.’ Later on I started to actually enjoy it.”

For many of the middle schoolers, it was their first time on the stage.

The musical had songs with a variety of tempos that kept the audience wanting more.

“My favorite scene in Oliver! was the first Sowerberry scene because I had the most fun and we sang my favorite song, That's Your Funeral,” said senior Cynthia Faber.

All three performances of Oliver! were a huge success for the drama department. With the success of this year’s performance, I speak on behalf of the community in saying that we are all anxiously awaiting next year's play.