Entertainment : ACT I will hold auditions for the musical Oliver

ACT I of Benton County announces auditions for the classic musical Oliver! by Lionel Bart, to be presented at the Palace Theatre in Vinton September 11 – 20, 2015.

Auditions will be held Sunday, June 28 from 2:00 – 5:00 pm and Monday, June 29 from 6:30 – 9:00 pm at the ACT I Studio, located at 906 D Avenue, Vinton.

Call-backs will be held as needed on Tuesday, June 30. The multi-generational cast offers roles for ages 8 through adult. Principal roles, with approximate age range to be cast and voice type in parentheses, include:

Oliver Twist (boy soprano, age 8 – 13)
Nancy (soprano – age 25 – 35)
Fagin (Baritone – age 35 – 65)
The Artful Dodger (alto boy or tenor, age 11 -17)
Bill Sykes (bass/baritone – age 35 – 50)
Bet (soprano – age 13 – 16)
Mrs. Corney (soprano – age 40 – 60)
Mr. Bumble (baritone – age 40 – 60)
Mr. Brownlow (non-singing – age 50 – 75)
Mr. Sowerberry (baritone – age 40 – 50)
Mrs. Sowerberry (soprano – age 40 – 50)
Charlotte Sowerberry (soprano – age 15 – 18)
Noah Claypool (non-singing – age 15 – 20)
Dr. Grimwig (non-singing – age 40 – 65)

There are many other smaller roles as well.

Two choruses will also be selected. The first will be a general chorus made up of primarily adults and teens, but may include a few younger members as needed. There will also be a boys’ chorus, ages 8 – 15. Girls are free to audition for this, but all characters in this ensemble will be played as boys. Both choruses are featured prominently throughout the show.

The musical is based on the novel Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens. It was previously presented by ACT I in 1997 as the opening fundraiser to acquire the Palace Theatre.

Director for the production is Steve Arnold. The Assistant Director is Monica Castle Funk; Sarah Yedlik Arnold and Judy Mitschelen are the music directors and the choreographer is Joan Cooling-Noeller.