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Oliver Twist entertains Hoban community and foster families: Underclassmen provide quality acting and plot gives insight into orphan life
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November 12, 2009
Lindsay Huth
From lonely orphans and thieves to murder and happiness, the Hoban Troubadours’ play Oliver Twist had it all. The audience was captivated by the collaborative effort of the cast, crew and directors that made the production a success.
“It’s been a great production and got better each night it was performed,” director Russell Kwitkowski said. “I couldn’t be more pleased.”
The story, originally written by Charles Dickens, begins with a young orphan named Oliver who escapes from a corrupt workhouse and makes his way to London. There, he becomes involved with a group of thieves which causes him to be caught pick-pocketing a man named Mr. Brownlow, who takes pity on him and welcomes him into his family. A mysterious plot of the leaders of the thieves and the mystifying Miss Monks leads Oliver to be kidnapped after Nancy, who tries to protect him, is murdered.
“My favorite part of the play was the death scene because it was so intense,” said freshman Matt Kannel who played Oliver Twist.
The story concludes with Oliver’s final rescue and reception into a real family.
In this production, Kannel had the unique opportunity to be the lead even though he is only a freshman. Though he admits the experience was daunting, it turned out to be worthwhile.
“It was kind of stressful but was a really good experience for me,” Kannel said.
Kannal’s stunning performance contributed heavily to the success of the play, just as the other actors’ talents and dedication did. Sophomore Maggie Brown, who played Oliver’s mother, Mrs. Corney, thoroughly enjoyed her experience and also dreams of a future in theater.
“We were very pleased with the outcome,” Brown said. “I would love to continue in theater when I grow up.”
The entire cast’s performance was accentuated by the detailed, well-designed set– the product of weeks of hard work from the stage crew under the direction of art teacher Micah Kraus. It portrayed intricate English buildings as well as a bookstore and thieves’ hideout and even included a platform.
“This has been the best set,” Kwitkowski said. “The platform gave us new ways to choreograph the scenes.”
It took many weeks of preparation for everyone involved, and Hoban’s Oliver Twist benefited both the school and Summit County Children Services. Since the show sheds light on the trials of orphan life, the production began the Oliver Twist Initiative to celebrate adoption. The cast sold bracelets to benefit the Beds for Kids program and gave free tickets to the production to foster families.
“It was fun performing in the play and entertaining others and at the same time it was gratifying to know that our performance helped kids in need,” said sophomore Colleen McCarron, who played a thief.
Icing on the cake was received when the entire production learned they qualified for states and will perform their show in front of more people by bringing it off the Hoban stage and to Ashland University on Mar. 19-21.
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