Auditions open for "Oliver!"

Consider yourself at home as the Western Nevada Musical Theatre Youth Company celebrates its 10th anniversary with Lionel Bart's high-spirited romp through "Oliver!" Auditions are Saturday at 2 p.m. in Room 207 of the Aspen Building at Western Nevada Community College.

The show will play June 16-25 at the Carson City Community Center.

Auditions are open to boys and girls ages 8 through 21; each cast member must register with WNCC for the musical theater course.

The musical, based on the classic story of "Oliver Twist" by Charles Dickens, tells of a young orphan, Oliver, who is raised in a workhouse orphanage, then sold into apprenticeship with an undertaker's parlor. The boy escapes to London, where he is welcomed into an amiable gang of young pickpockets.

Oliver stays with the boys, but is quickly arrested when his mates rob an older gentleman. When Oliver is caught, the gentleman asks to have custody of him, and soon forms a bond with him, eventually learning that Oliver is, in fact, his grandson.

Dickens originally wrote "Oliver Twist" as a social commentary on workhouses and the need for social reform. Bart enlivened the work with high-spirited music that has since become a classic. Orphans open the show with the rousing "Food, Glorious Food" and Fagin's gang entertains with the comical "Pick A Pocket or Two." The entire cast contributes to the show-stopping "Consider Yourself at Home."

Producer/director Stephanie Arrigotti says more than 20 speaking or solo parts are available as well as dance troupes and choruses.

Rehearsals will be 3:30-5:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, beginning April 4. Actors will not be scheduled for all rehearsals; a schedule will be distributed at the first rehearsal. Working with Arrigotti will be associate director Lynne Heller and music director Marsha Hall.

Advanced musicians who are interested in playing in the "Oliver!" orchestra may call the performing arts office, 445-4249, for an audition.

Auditioners should come prepared to sing a song two minutes or less in length to demonstrate their vocal style and range. They can bring a taped accompaniment or provide the accompanist with a musical score.

"We know that many young performers have never auditioned for a show before, so we guide them through it," said Arrigotti.

This production of "Oliver!" marks the 10th anniversary of the Western Nevada Musical Theatre Company and will culminate with special celebrations.

Call the WNCC performing arts office at 445-4249.