When one thinks of some of the most quintessential stage musicals of all time Lionel Bart’s Oliver! is no doubt somewhere on that list. Based on Charles Dickens’ 1837 novel Oliver Twist or The Parish Boy’s Progress, his second, Bart’s musical adaptation debuted in London’s West End in 1960 where it ran for a record breaking 2,618 performances. Oliver! would make its Broadway debut in 1963 and later inspire a film adaptation in 1968 which would take home that year’s Academy Award for Best Picture. The musical has no doubt become part of our pop culture landscape, giving us such memorable songs as “Food Glorious Food,” “I’d Do Anything,” and what could arguably be the national anthem for theatre kids: “Consider Yourself.”

Indeed, the lyrics to “Consider Yourself” relates to the message that we here at Memorial Junior School theatre send to our students: our doors are always open to anyone who wants to step on the stage and perform or work behind the scenes as one of the unsung heroes of the stage who without we wouldn’t have a show. It doesn’t matter who or what you are, how you look, how you dress, if you are popular or not so much. When you walk through the open doors of the auditorium and join our production you can “consider yourself one of us.” You have a place where you will be accepted, can make new friends, and have a group of people across all three grade levels who will have your back. This is truly the magic of theatre, and it can be felt in one of the show’s central songs as well as the story of the musical itself. 

Oliver Twist, raised as an orphan in a West Midlands workhouse, is rejected by all around him until he finds himself in London where he meets The Artful Dodger. Dodger is the lieutenant of and chief recruiter for Fagin, who is the head of (as our own Dodger, Margot Steeg, refers to them) a “cult of thieves” consisting of other young orphans. Although outcast and scorned by “proper” English society, it is here where Oliver experiences his first real experience of belonging and family. 

I want to thank the incredible cast and crew of talented 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students who make up our MJS theatrical family and have done an incredible job on this production of Oliver!. You have made our second show back from COVID, and the first to return to pre-COVID schedule, an amazing experience. We have been honored to work with you and experience your talents and commitment first hand. We look forward to working with our 6th and 7th graders again and can’t wait to see our talented 8th graders grace the Whippany Park High School stage in the future.

Thank you ,too, to my incredible team, Mr. Matthew Pomel,  Ms. Shana Tracy, Ms. Madison Siegler, and Mr. Tyler Erhard. It has been an honor and a pleasure to be able to work with you all on this production. Your enthusiasm, talent, and dedication has lent to the great success of the MJS Spring Musical throughout the years. I couldn’t ask for a better team of collaborators. 

We would also like to thank the numerous MJS teachers who volunteered to lend a hand with this production. From judging auditions to chaperoning to helping measure for costumes, we appreciate anything and everything that has been done to help the students put together a successful performance. Special thanks to Ms. Emily Galow and Mrs. Liz Gioia for all of their assistance and support.

Thank you to Mrs. Carolyn Masi, Mrs. Tracy Currie, and Mr. Tyler Erhard as well as the rest of the Hanover Township Music Department for their help and cooperation.

Thank you to Mr. Tom Gaveglio  and his maintenance staff for all their help, especially Mrs. Noreen Monks who tirelessly worked with us to help coordinate usage of the facilities here at MJS. We also need to thank Mrs. Kathryne Mullooly for her hard work and dedication in helping us to get the orders out for everything you are seeing and hearing here today. Finally, we would like to thank our administrators, Mr. Michael Wasko, Mr. Aaron Wasserman, Mr. Michael Anderson, and Mr. Jacob Ziegler for their continued support.

Special Thanks:

This production would not be possible without the help of our parent volunteers. Thank you to everyone who lent their time and talents to ensure that this year’s production was not only a success but an incredible and positive experience for the students. 

 I would like to send out a special thank you to Julie Amitrano for the many hats she has worn throughout the production. She is our publicist, communications director, caterer, chaperone coordinator, cast party planner, and honorary assistant director. Thank you for all you have done and continue to do for the cast and crew.

I would also like to specifically thank our incredible team of set builders and designers: Michael Dougherty,  Samantha & Rob Steeg, and Julie Amitrano. Thank you for all your expertise, craftsmanship, creativity, time and dedication. Your work has helped to elevate the production and performance of the students. It has been a great pleasure to be able to work with each of you.

I would also like to extend a very special thanks to: Audio Incorporated in Roselle, NJ  for assisting us with our sound needs.