Charlestown Youth Performing in 'Oliver Twist'

A young Charlestown resident is performing in Wheelock Family Theatre's winter production of the musical "Oliver," on stage Jan. 25 through Feb. 24 at Wheelock College in Boston.

Nine-year-old David Sullivan, appearing in the production as one of the hungry orphans, is a Charlestown native and a third grade student at The Advent School in Beacon Hill. He has appeared in several productions at the Charlestown Working Theater including the role of Boy Scrooge in "A Christmas Carol," William Shakespeare in an adaptation of "Twelfth Night" and most recently Sir Max in "King John."  

Sullivan enjoys playing the piano, singing with the Boston Children's Chorus, playing soccer and studying mathematics.

Adapted from the novel "Oliver Twist" by Charles Dickens, the Wheelock Family Theatre musical is being directed by Susan Kosoff with musical direction by Jon Goldberg, choreography by Laurel Conrad, scenic design by Anthony Hancock, lighting design by Franklin Meissner Jr. and costume design by Charles G. Baldwin.

The musical tells the story of Oliver Twist, a young boy on his own who quickly learns the grim realities of life as he navigates the slums, thieves’ kitchens and night-shelters of Dickens’ London. Lighter in mood than the original story, Lionel Bart’s musical captures perfectly the larger-than-life characters of the novel, as it embodies Dickens’ “fiery indignation against wrong, his glowing faith in humanity, and his firm belief in the certain triumph, in the end, of right over wrong.”

The cast includes Charlie Clinton as Oliver Twist, Dan Dowling Jr. as Mr. Bumble, Neil Gustafson as Mr. Brownlow, Joelle Kross as Charlotte, Cliff Odle as Mr. Sowerberry, Gamalia Pharms as Widow Corney, Matt Phillips as Noah Claypoole, Deb Poppel as Mrs. Bedwin, M. Lynda Robinson* as Mrs. Sowerberry, Brittany Rolfs as Nancy, Jane Staab as Fagin, Jeffrey Sewell as Dodger, Timothy John Smith as Bill Sikes and Caroline Workman as Bet. 

Showtimes through Feb. 24 include Friday nights at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday matinees at 3 p.m. The week of February school vacation, there will be additional matinees, Tuesday, Feb. 19 through Friday, Feb. 22 at 1 p.m.

In addition, special ASL/AD performances are being offered on Tuesday, Feb. 19 at 1 p.m., Friday, Feb. 22 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Feb. 24 at 3 p.m. All performances offer open captioning.

Tickets range from $20 to $30, with Teen Take-over Fridays for $15, and can be purchased at the Box Office by calling 617-879-2300 or emailing tickets@wheelock.edu. Learn more at WheelockFamilyTheatre.org.

Wheelock College is located at 180 The Riverway in Boston's Fenway district. Discounted parking is available at the MASCO garage at 375 Longwood Ave. To get there by T, take the Green Riverside Line (D train) to Fenway or Longwood stations.

Wheelock Family Theatre is a professional, nonprofit theatre associated with Actor’s Equity, the union of professional actors and stage managers. Located on the campus of Wheelock College, Wheelock Family Theatre seeks to improve the lives of children and families through the shared experience of live theatre. Wheelock Family Theatre has been recognized both locally and nationally for its commitment to accessible, multi-cultural, multi-generational productions for all families.