Rockaway Theatre Company kicks off 10th season with ‘Oliver!’

The Rockaway Theatre Company (RTC), located at Fort Tilden, Gateway National Recreation Area in Breezy Point, will kick off its 10th season of bringing quality live theatrical entertainment to residents of the Rockaways and surrounding communities with Lionel Bart’s wonderful musical, “Oliver!”
“Oliver!” is the musical adaptation of Charles Dickens’ classic tale of the trials and tribulations of the poor orphan, Oliver Twist, who is forced to fend for himself, alone, on the dark and dangerous streets of Victorian England merely for being hungry.
A great deal of the credit for this impending production goes to the two very talented women who head up the production team: Director/Choreographer Kathleen Valentine and Musical Director Anne Rebold.
The cast and crew have been hard at rehearsal at the Post Theater for the past two months and it seems that their hard work has paid off. According to Miss Valentine, “I was very lucky to have the opportunity to work with a creative and experienced production crew and a marvelous cast of performers, worthy of any Broadway stage.”
The cast is headed up by young Austin Zambito-Valente in the title role and RTC newcomer Jai Sada as Fagin, the crusty old leader of a gang of young thieves.
In his travels, Oliver meets several other very colorful characters such as the “Artful Dodger” (Matthew Smilardi), Nancy, played by Nancy Sturgis, and the consummately evil Bill Sykes(Bernard Smith), just to name a few.
The show boasts a cast of 52 of the most talented actors, singers and dancers in community theatre today, more than half of whom are actually children under the age of 12.
To this group of noteworthy thespians, add the phenomenal sets, created by artist James Cantirino, awesome costumes designed and constructed by costumier Peggy Vivino, a phenomenal 10-piece orchestra conducted by Ms. Rebold and a fabulous collection of Lionel Bart songs like “Consider Yourself,” “As Long As He Needs Me,” “It’s a Fine Life,” and “Pick a Pocket or Two” and you’ve got the perfect recipe for a hit show.
No doubt audiences will find Oliver! a marvelously agreeable first course on RTC’s 10th blockbuster season menu.
The show will be presented on May 18 and 19 at 8 p.m. and on May 20 at 2 p.m., but Reservation Manager Peggy Press urges theater-goers to call for reservations immediately, as half the scheduled performances are already sold out. Call 718-850-2450 for information and reservations, as ticket quantities are extremely limited.