Davie County Arts Council’s Brock Players will open their run of the musical “Oliver!” on Friday, Oct. 6 at the Brock Performing Arts Center at 7 p.m.

The cast includes 14 children and 15 adults.

Since August, they have been not only rehearsing lines, but learning dance steps and the songs of this well-known Broadway production.

The group has had the advantage of having a talented team to lead them through this process: W. David Piner as artistic director and choreographer; Daniel Dodson, music director; and Vicky Zickmund, assistant director and stage manager.

Oliver Twist, Dicken’s tragic and triumphant story, changed the world of Dickens’ day. By shining light on the prevalent abuse of women and children during the industrial revolution, Dickens fanned public outrage against those egregious offenses.

A total of 180 years after Dicken’s began writing Oliver Twist, women and children continue to suffer and die at the hands of those on whom they must depend, and in many cases love. This remains a great societal sin, regularly front page news with little sign of abatement. The great tragedy of Oliver Twist lies in its continued relevance so long since it was written.

The movie version of “Oliver!”, so familiar to many, places a gloss on the darker elements of the story. The play is unflinching, fixing its gaze more resolutely on the dark underbelly of the story. Due to the length of the musical it might be a challenge for any small child to enjoy. Parents should consider also whether the material, which includes a brutal murder, and physical violence against a child, is appropriate for the very young.

“Those who attend DCAC’s production of Oliver! should come expecting to be highly entertained, to laugh, and to examine themes such as the damaging affects of poverty, classism, and violence on the poor and weak, said Sidnee Suggs, Davie Arts Council executive director. “At the same time, it is a tale of perseverance against greats odds, a portrayal of those beaten by those odds, and of the one, Oliver, who by shire grace and goodness triumphs over them. Come expecting a window into realities most would prefer not to see. May you be moved and challenged by Oliver! to do more to build a safer, more wholesome world for all.”

There is a reason “Oliver!” is a musical classic, with such spirited, timeless songs like “As Long as He Needs Me,” “Food, Glorious Food” and “Where is Love.”

Come see the actors take you on a wild romp through Victorian England for the next two weekends at the Brock. Performances are at 7 p.m. Oct. 6, 7, 13 and 14, and at 3 p.m. Oct. 8 and 15. Tickets are $15 for adults, $13 for seniors over age 65, $10 for children age 12-18 and $7 for children age 11 and under. The box office is open Monday-Friday noon-5 p.m. Order by phone at 336-751-3000 at or online at www.daviearts.org.

Oliver!

Music, Lyrics and Book by Lionel Bart

W. David Piner, Artistic Director & Choreographer

Daniel H. Dodson, Music Director

Vicky L. Zickmund, Assistant Director & Stage Manager

The Cast

OLIVER Ella Devine

FAGIN Nate Pendley

ARTFUL DODGER Asher Dodson

BILL SYKES Rob Taylor

NANCY Ashley Chiles

BET Eliana Keating

MR. BUMBLE Casey James

MRS. CORNEY Sherry Johnson

MR. BROWNLOW Carlton Terry

MR. SOWERBERRY Tom Mitchell

MRS. SOWERBERRY Lisa Matthews

CHARLOTTE Erika Terry

NOAH CLAYPOLE Alex Wilson

MR. GRIMWIG Bob Bailey

MRS. BEDWIN Jeanette Johnson

OLD SALLY Lana Mitchell

CHARLEY BATES Kaylee Lewis

MATRON Shannon Grimes

WORKHOUSE BOYS

AND FAGIN’S GANG

Ella Devine, Asher Dodson, Jenna James,

Justice Johnson, Carmia Keating, Kaylee Lewis,

Nevaeh Parker, Annie Smalley, Ben Taylor,

Savannah Taylor, Summer Taylor, Rebekah Taylor, Dovie Vernon, Mallory Wooten

ADULT ENSEMBLE

Bob Baily, Sarah Connolly, Kurt Gibson,

Shannon Grimes, Jillian Griffey, Sherry Johnson,

Eliana Keating, Richard Kyles, Nate Pendley,

Lana Mitchell, Tom Mitchell, Carlton Terry,

Erika Terry, Alex Wilson, Gary Zickmund