Los Gatos Weekly-Times

DAVES AVENUE STUDENTS STAGE 'OLIVER!'

By Shari Kaplan

Assorted characters of 19th century England--honorable and unsavory alike--are stepping out of the London fog this weekend to tell the story of Charles Dickens' famous orphan Oliver Twist in the Daves Avenue Children's Musical Theatre presentation of Oliver!

According to Paula Wike, who is directing the show with her husband, Paul, this year's cast and crew of approximately 87 fourth- and fifth-graders is one of the largest in the 24 years since the Daves Avenue Home and School Club has been offering these musical theater opportunities to students. A similarly large team of nearly 100 parent volunteers is assisting in planning and executing many behind-the-scenes details.

"One of the reasons we really like this musical is the songs--there's over 10 of them. Our main goal with the play is that kids enjoy themselves, learn how to work together and learn something about theater."

Students have also learned to empathize with the characters they are portraying through discussions about the plight of homeless and poor people today, including young children.

Oliver! director Laurel Perelman Cohen suggested incorporating a charitable theme into the show by teaming up with the Second Harvest Food Bank. The idea was well-received by the young cast and crew and by Second Harvest, which supplied a bin into which all audience members are encouraged to deposit canned goods at each performance.

"These kids are really energetic. They're having a great time, they love the songs and I can never keep them off the stage!" adds Cohen, who is also a teacher and artistic director for many Bay Area groups, including the Performing Arts Company, a youth theater group based at the Addison-Penzak Jewish Community Center in Los Gatos.

Included among the songs students will perform under the direction of musical director Dianne Saichek and choreographer Izetta Fang are "Food, Glorious Food," "Consider Yourself," "I'd Do Anything," "Oom Pah Pah" and the title track.

Oliver! will be performed at the Daves Avenue stage in the cafeteria building March 8 and 9 at 7 p.m. and March 10 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $5.50 general admission, $3.50 for children in fifth grade or younger. For more information, call Vickie at 395-2531.