'Oliver!' hits the stage at Carson Community Center

Twenty young and very enthusiastic voices brought the stage to life at the Carson City Community Center on Sunday afternoon for the Western Nevada Musical Theatre Youth Company's production of "Oliver!" Lionel Bart's adaptation of the Charles Dickens classic Oliver Twist was produced and directed by Western Nevada Community College performing arts director Stephanie Arrigotti, a veteran performer, director and producer in the Carson City area for 10 years.

The musical tells of a young boy raised in a workhouse orphanage by the oppressive Mr. Bumble, and Widow Comey. Oliver is sold into apprenticeship with an undertakers' parlor, but escapes to London where he falls in with an amiable group of young pickpockets led by an amiable scoundrel called Fagin, and his apprentice the Artful Dodger.

The story looks at the seedy side of 19th-century England, twisting through London's back streets and a plot designed by Dickens to be a social commentary on the workhouses of the day and the need for social reform.

The show won Tony Awards for scenic design, best composer and best lyricist after its first season in 1963, running for 774 performances in New York and 2,618 performances in London.

It will be playing at the Carson City Community Center this coming Friday through Sunday. Friday and Saturday's performances start at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday matinees will be at 2 p.m.

Tickets are $10 for general admission, $8 for students and seniors, and $4 for children 5 and under. They can be purchased at the performing arts office at Western Nevada Community College, Kennedy Books at 108 E. John St., Maytan Music at 777 South Center Street in Reno, or at the Community Center before the performance. They can also be charged to a credit card by calling Western Nevada Community College at 445-4249.

"We really enjoyed South Pacific," season ticket holder Don Peterson said. ". . It's nice to hear those old songs again."

The show plays weekends June 16-25 at the Carson City Community Center. Friday and Saturday performances are at 7:30 p.m., Sunday matinees at 2 p.m.