The curtain will soon rise on a musical performance thatB次元官网网址檚 sure to delight audiences of all ages.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 very difficult, but theyB次元官网网址檙e doing it,B次元官网网址� said teacher Bea Oertel, the director for Lighthouse Christian AcademyB次元官网网址檚 production of Oliver! The Musical, which opens its three-show run Wednesday night in the theatre at Spectrum school in Saanich. B次元官网网址淭hey rose to the challenge B次元官网网址� ItB次元官网网址檚 going to be great fun.B次元官网网址�
The reason Oertel chose Oliver, she said, B次元官网网址渋s because there are so many orphans in world today.B次元官网网址� Taking that theme a step further, various agencies will be at the performances promoting programs to sponsor orphans in areas such as Africa and the Middle East. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 not only 19th-century England, but 2016 as well B次元官网网址� We want to raise awareness about orphans in the world today.B次元官网网址�
Focusing on her students, Oertel said, B次元官网网址渋tB次元官网网址檚 been a really great experience.B次元官网网址�
A number of the parts have been split between two actors, who will alternate performances. This was done in case one of the students couldnB次元官网网址檛 perform, she said. The show must go on and this way, all their bases are covered. B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檝e had a great team of actors,B次元官网网址� Oertel added.
Playing the role of Oliver Twist in ThursdayB次元官网网址檚 performance is Grade 10 student Laura Ossa.
B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 really looking forward to see how it all comes together,B次元官网网址� she said.
No stranger to the stage, Ossa is coming off performances with the Sooke School DistrictB次元官网网址檚 PACE program. Her favourite part of this experience has been watching the group gel. She added, B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 really looking forward to the teamwork.B次元官网网址�
Playing the role of Fagin tonight and Friday is Grade 12 student Keanu Enns. HeB次元官网网址檚 enjoyed working on the play all semester and watching B次元官网网址渆veryone gain that new level of confidence.B次元官网网址�
He admitted he still gets nervous before each show. B次元官网网址淲hen you get there, your body gets shaky, but consciously youB次元官网网址檙e okay.B次元官网网址�
Grade 11 student Matthew Constantine, playing Mr. Bumble on Thursday, said those nerves are only temporary. B次元官网网址淥nce you get towards the middle or end, you start to realize you got this,B次元官网网址� he said.
His favourite part of preparing for the play has been the vocal coaching.
ThatB次元官网网址檚 an activity that has helped many students, Oertel said. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 really great to see the kids develop gifts they didnB次元官网网址檛 know they had.B次元官网网址�
She noted one of her leading actors didnB次元官网网址檛 know he could sing and was never encouraged to do so. Once they started rehearsals, they discovered he had quite a spectacular voice.
B次元官网网址淪ince the beginning of the semester, weB次元官网网址檝e been practising every week B次元官网网址� and weB次元官网网址檙e ready,B次元官网网址� Oertel said. Based on Charles DickensB次元官网网址� book Oliver Twist, the production will see students from all grade levels lend a hand. Younger students will even make an appearance in some of the songs, which Constantine said is really cute to watch.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 an all school effort B次元官网网址� ItB次元官网网址檚 kind of crazy,B次元官网网址� Oertel added.
katie@goldstreamgazette.com
Theatre this week:
What: Lighthouse Christian Academy presents Oliver! The Musical
When: May 11, 12, 13
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Location: Spectrum school theatre, 957 Burnside Rd. West.
Admission: $10 for 12-older, $5 for 11-under
