For two nights only the streets of Victorian London are coming to Minot. On April 11th and 12th at 7 p.m. Western Plains Opera will be performing Broadway musical Oliver! at Minot State’s Ann Nicole Nelson Hall. Based on Charles Dickens’s novel Oliver Twist, the musical follows the adventures of the titular character from a malnourished orphan who ends up entangled with a gang of pickpockets to the loving care of Mr. Brownlow’s household – and back. Whether Oliver will ultimately discover the true love of a family is something for audiences to discover alongside him next week.
When asked why this particular musical was chosen, General Director of Western Plains Opera Dr. Emerson Eads said, “ [This show] requires exceptional young actors and singers, and that’s exactly what we have. The Western Plains Children’s Choir has experienced remarkable growth, with many talented and motivated children who have been part of the choir for several years, honing their skills under the expert guidance of teachers like Angela Schnaible and Lindsay Kerzmann. I felt that this musical would be a wonderful opportunity to showcase their development as singers and highlight the importance of the Western Plains Children’s Choir to our community.”
Preparing since the first week of February, the cast has several individuals affiliated with Team Minot. These include Major Thomas Barger in the part of Mr. Brownlow, and spouse Christian Steinborn as well as First Lieutenant Elijah Robinson (whose voice some might recognize from Minotauros hockey games, where he often sings the National Anthem) as ensemble cast members. Dr. Eads noted that, “What makes this production even more remarkable is the presence of two young leads who are absolutely knocking it out of the park. Alongside them is a talented ensemble of children, portraying both orphans and a gang of thieves, all under the guidance of Fagin, played brilliantly by John Simonson. The story of love, acceptance, and community will resonate with audiences of all ages, but it will undoubtedly be especially embraced by a younger crowd.” You heard it here first – bring your kids out for this one!
Minot is a city that deeply values and supports the arts. Dr. Eads emphasized that, “This production is a true testament to the power of community collaboration.” Community members took time out of their daily schedules to volunteer. Parents tirelessly drove their children to and from rehearsals and helped them memorize their parts. A crew of costume designers, choreographer, and musicians under the direction of Abbie Eads helped bring it all together. He concluded that this performance, “Will leave you feeling incredibly proud to be part of a town like Minot!”
Tickets range from $25 to $35 depending on the seating section for adults and only $10 for those under 17 years of age. A military discount as well as free admission for those with an MSU Student ID are available at the door only. Those wanting to reserve their seats in advance, can purchase tickets through the Western Plains Opera Website.
For more information about this performance or to purchase tickets, visit https://wpopera.org/events/oliver-2/.
