Play offers new twist on classic story

Photo by Andrew Kastner
Students (left to right) Katie Wine, JoLynn Cunningham, Will Mobley, Lydia Shoup (hand), Barrrett Doyle and Jessica Giannone rehearse “Oliver Twist” at Trustees Theater March 4.

By: Laura Duttenhaver

Published: Friday, March 7, 2008

Anyone who has been thinking of taking a trip to London but hasn’t had the chance needs to travel no further than the Trustees Theater, 216 E. Broughton St. in Savannah, March 7-9 for an authentic experience. The Savannah College of Art and Design School of Performing Arts is presenting Charles Dickens’ “Oliver Twist” in a new adaptation by Neil Bartlett — the first collegiate production of this show in the United States.

“I am very excited to direct this fantastic new adaptation of ‘Oliver Twist,’” said SCAD performing arts professor and play director Sharon Ott. “Bartlett’s version is true to the original but brings the story fully into our century. It is swift, theatrical and thrilling.”

The new version of this classic tale features 24 scenes of songs and tableaux performed by actors who play multiple roles. Closely following Dickens’ original story, the play illustrates the darkness of Victorian London.  

To bring the time and place to life, Ott enlisted production design professor Hal Tiné to design the sets, which include 12-foot extensions of the stage into the aisles.

“The Trustees Theater has been completely converted to a new environment,” said performing arts chair Jay Kline. “There is multilevel staging, a built-in trap door and platforming throughout the audience. It’s the kind of set that an art and design college should do. It’s really cutting-edge.”

Along with the elaborate sets and new twist on the old story, this production features original music composed by David Alan Bunn, director of the college’s Honeybees singing ensemble.

In addition, performing arts professor and award-winning actor Laurence Ballard portrays Fagan. Ballard, whose career has spanned more than 150 theater productions throughout the United States, is the first faculty member to play a leading role in a SCAD production. Ott explained that he has provided an example to students of how to deal with the challenges of playing multiple roles and demonstrating extreme artistic flexibility. “Having Laurence serving as a role model to guide the students through these acting challenges has been a learning experience for all of the cast members,” said Ott, who won a Tony Award for Best Regional Theatre in 1998 for her work at the Berkeley Repertory Theatre.

“Oliver Twist” performances are at 8 p.m., with a 3 p.m. Sunday matinee. Tickets can be purchased online at www.scadboxoffice.com, by phone at (912) 525-5050, or at the SCAD box office, 216 E. Broughton St. Admission is $10 for the general public; $5 for students, seniors and military; and free for students, faculty and staff with a valid SCAD ID.


Duttenhaver is communications manager at SCAD.