WICKEDLOCAL.com – The Company Theatre’s production of “Oliver!” brings this musical adaptation of Charles Dickens’ “Oliver Twist” to the stage just in time for the holiday season.
Through Lionel Bart’s lyrics and music, the audience follows Oliver as he traverses the streets of Victorian London with friends Nancy and Artful Dodger, the conniving Fagin and the sinister Bill Sikes.
The young man playing Oliver is Matthew O’Connor, 12, of Hingham, who played Chi-Fu, the emperor’s advisor in The Company Theatre’s production of “Mulan Jr.” last month and was also in the company’s adaptation of “Willy Wonka.”
“It’s a lot of fun but it’s a big commitment,” O’Connor said of the production, which opens Friday, Nov. 23. “I have to memorize a lot of lines but it’s so worth it in the end.”
Another regular of the theater is Christopher Hagberg of Quincy, who has been working with the company for the last 27 years. Hagberg, who will be playing in the infamous Fagin in “Oliver!” played the same character at the theater when he was a teenager.
Bottom L-R Matthew O’Connor as Oliver, Jesse Bargar as Reggie, Colin McDermott of Abington as Charlie Bates and Charlie Flaherty of Duxbury as Nipper, photo by Zoe Bradford
“I’ve been working with the theater since 1986,” Hagberg said. “The theater and their productions are always really good. The kids are really talented and focused. They’re great.”
The Company Theatre is not only celebrating the holiday season with this classic tale, but is also celebrating its 40th anniversary.
The theater was formed in 1978, originally located in the basement of a church with a budget of $50. The company quickly grew out of the basement and moved to a 600-seat Weymouth school auditorium. The theater’s current location, 30 Accord Park, was purchased in 1992.
To mark their 40th anniversary, the theater unveiled its new elevator during an open house Saturday, Nov. 17.
“We purchased the building in 1992 and the elevator at that time was completely faulty,” co-founder Zoe Bradford said. “We had to get a new one but they sent the wrong lift. In February of this year the elevator broke completely.”
The Company Theatre has been working to raise money for a new elevator since last fall. The elevator costs roughly $120,000 and so far The Company Theatre has raised about $63,000.
“The elevator is installed but not completely paid off,” Bradford said. “We’re going to continue fundraising to pay for the rest of it. We want to make sure that everyone has a welcoming experience here.”
Also at the open house, the theater showcased free demonstrations of classes offered by The Academy of The Company Theatre, including children’s acting and Broadway dance demos.
The 2019 theatrical performance season was also announced, allowing the public to look forward to performances such as “Newsies”, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” and “Green Day’s American Idiot” in the new year.
“Oliver!” will run from Friday, Nov. 23 to Sunday, Dec. 4 at The Company Theatre, located at 30 Accord Park. Show times are 7:30 p.m. from Thursday through Saturday, with Saturday matinee performances at 4 p.m. and Sunday matinee performances at 3 p.m.
Tickets range from $41 to $43. To purchase tickets or for more information, call the box office at 781-871-2787, email boxoffice@companytheatre.com or visit companytheatre.com.
By Kate Walsh
