By Reinesse Wong
Lost amid the unprecedented events of the past month and a half was The Paw Print’s review of IHS’s Spring play Oliver! Here is that review…
On March 6th-8th, almost 80 talented musicians and actors helped by the tech crew performed the play Oliver! For the Irvington community in the Irvington High School theater. Audiences were introduced to a world of mystery and crime with a plot twist at the end.
The play’s plot is about the life of an orphan boy, Oliver (played by Ellie Knudson) who runs away from his orphanage and meets a group of pickpockets led by Fagan (played by Maxwell Riseman) and joins them to survive. After being accused of committing a crime he did not commit he meets Mr. Brownlow who takes him in out of pity. Fagan orders Nancy (played by Arianna Stassa) and Bill Sikes (played by Max Van Osdol) to bring Oliver back before he ends up releasing information on the pickpockets and Oliver ends up learning he is the grandchild of Mr. Brownlow.
Preparation for the play started with separate rehearsals with Dr. Patterson in charge of Pit Orchestra, Mr. Mosenthal as the director, and Mr. Digiovanni as the producer. Melissa Hansen was invited to help choreograph the dances on stage. There were several graduating seniors who participated in the play this year and were each presented with roses on their final performance.
Eesha Thaker, who played the violin in a joint solo with Maxwell Riseman, said, “I’m really grateful that IHS can provide creative outlets, and I know that Oliver was a chance for so many to expose themselves to a branch of music they might not otherwise be exposed to. I’ve never played with a vocalist before. Max is really talented, and I’m proud of what everyone was able to accomplish.”
Dr. Patterson, the musical director expressed joy in being able to return to IHS to conduct the Pit Orchestra
Dr. Patterson recounted, “The show was great fun! I think the production team all agreed that the level of teamwork, enthusiasm, and focus was very strong. Saturday night’s run, particularly, was marvelous. Things simply gelled in place. I’m very thankful we could all share our hard work with the Irvington community before schools began closing, and I hope the memories will buoy spirits towards next year’s show.”
