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‘Oliver!’ to open Cal Poly Arts’ new season

By Adobe Staff

The beloved classic musical “Oliver!” is coming to the Performing Arts Center at Cal Poly on Friday and Saturday, Sept. 26 and 27, with a special early curtains at 7 p.m.

The professional national touring production of “Oliver!” will launch Cal Poly Arts’ 2008-09 performing arts season that will offer almost 50 varied and diverse performances.

Hailed as one of the best-loved family musicals of all time, “Oliver!” brings to the stage some of Charles Dickens’ most unforgettable characters along with one of Broadway’s most memorable scores.

Such hits as the rousing “Consider Yourself At Home,” “Food, Glorious Food,” the haunting “Where Is Love?” and the show-stopping “As Long as He Needs Me” surround the heart-warming tale of young orphan Oliver Twist in this all-new production of Lionel Bart’s musical.

Based on Dickens’ literary classic “Oliver Twist,” the musical follows the spirited orphan on his journey through the colorful underworld of 19th-century London in search of love and acceptance.

The production debuted in London in 1960 and transferred to Broadway in 1963.

An instant hit, the show was nominated for 10 Tony Awards and won three, including Best Music and Lyrics.

The 1968 film version received 11 Academy Award nominations and won five, including Best Score.

The current production is directed by Clayton Phillips, an award-winning director from New York whose numerous touring production credits also include “Show Boat” and “Kiss of the Spider Woman.”