Oliver! Fun Facts
Detailed Synopsis | Awards | Fun Facts | Songs | Video
Oliver!
In 1860s London, 10-year-old Oliver Twist dreams of savoring anything but the meager gruel he and his companion orphans endure for supper. Despite his pathetic meal, Oliver is overcome with hunger and dares to ask the indignant Mr. Bumble for more. He casts Oliver out of the orphanage. Bought by an undertaker, Oliver soon escapes deep into the heart of London, where he meets The Artful Dodger. Dodger introduces him to Fagin and his band of thieves. The following morning, Fagin sends the boys into the streets. While busy learning about pick-pocketing, Oliver is caught and arrested. Dodger tells Fagin and his ruthless cohort Bill Sykes of the arrest. Fearful that their gig is up, Fagin and Sykes run after him. Two weeks later, Oliver awakens in the arms of Mrs. Bedwin, elderly housekeeper to Mr. Brownlow. While peering over the balcony of the Brownlow residence, Oliver dreams of having a life with people who really love him. Meanwhile, cold-blooded Sykes makes plans for Oliver’s recapture. Will Oliver live to see his dreams come true?
Photo: Masquerade Theatre Houston 2009 Production
Casting News
Bethel Park's Joseph Serafini to star as Oliver!
Joseph is a sixth grader at Neil Armstrong Middle School in Bethel Park and a fifth-year student at the Pittsburgh CLO Academy. He has appeared in seven Pittsburgh CLO productions, including A Musical Christmas Carol, Les Misérables and Peter Pan.
1963 Tony® Awards
10 Nominations, 3 Wins
Best Musical (Nominee)
Best Author of a Musical (Nominee)
Best Composer and Lyricist (Winner)
Best Actor in a Musical (Nominee)
Best Actress in a Musical (Nominee)
Best Featured Actor in a Musical (Nominee)
Best Scenic Design (Winner)
Best Direction of A Musical (Nominee)
Best Conductor and Musical Director (Winner)
Best Producer of a Musical (Nominee)
1984 Tony® Awards
1 Nomination
Best Actor in a Musical (Nominee)
1968 Academy® Awards
11 Nominations, 6 wins
Best Picture (Win)
Best director (Win)
Best art direction (Win)
Best achievement in sound (Win)
Best musical score (Win)
Best choreography (Win)
Best Actor (Nominee)
Best Supporting Actor (Nominee)
Best Cinematography (Nominee)
Best Costume Design (Nominee)
Best Film Editing (Nominee)
Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium (Nominee)
1. The musical is based upon the novel “Oliver Twist” by Charles Dickens.
2. The show made its United States debut in Los Angeles (not New York) after moving from London.
3. Oliver! helped launch the careers of several music legends during the 1960s, including Davy Jones (“The Monkees”), Phil Collins (“Genesis”) and Steve Marriott (“Small Faces,” “Humble Pie”), who all played the Artful Dodger.
4. Jack Wild, who played the Artful Dodger in the 1968 film, would go on to star as Jimmy in the famous children’s series “H.R. Pufnstuf.”
5. Jonathan Pryce, who won a Tony® for his role as The Engineer in Miss Saigon, was also Fagin in the 1994 revival of Oliver!, which was directed by Sam Mendes, the Academy Award®-winning director of “American Beauty,” “Road to Perdition” and “Revolutionary Road.”
6. Oliver! was also the last musical to win the Best Picture Oscar until “Chicago” 34 years later. Coincidentally, “Chicago” was directed by CLO Alumnus and Pittsburgh native Rob Marshall, who directed Oliver! the last time Pittsburgh CLO produced it in 1992.
7. A revival of the 1994 Sam Mendes production opened in January of 2009 at the Theatre Royal on London’s West End, highlighted by Rowan Atkinson’s performance as Fagin. The roles of Nancy and Oliver were cast through the BBC reality television series “I'd Do Anything.”
Food, Glorious Food
Oliver!
Boy For Sale
That’s Your Funeral
Where is Love?
Consider Yourself
You’ve Got to Pick A Pocket Or Two
It’s A Fine Life
I’d Do Anything
Be Back Soon
Oom-Pah-Pah
My Name
As Long As He Needs Me
Where Is Love?
Who Will Buy?
It’s A Fine Life
Reviewing The Situation
As Long As He Needs Me (Reprise)
Reviewing The Situation (Reprise)
Finale
Oliver! - West End Production, The Theatre Royal, London