This production ran from March 10 to August 3 of 1987.
Production Staff:
Director – Rodney Fayman
Choreographer – Diane Hamilton
Stage Manager – George Bonifant
Costumes – Kathy Mundie, Kathy Pence
Lighting Design – John Sichina, Rodney Fayman, Michael Collins
Lighting Execution – Michael Collins, Jackie Gregory, Paul Woods
Light Board Operator – Michael Collins
Set Design – Bill Hoffman
Set Construction – M.R. Daniels, PA
Sound Technicians – Tony Capone, Jackie Gregory, Paul Woods
Properties – Tony Capone
Burn Brae Staff:
General Manager – John Sichina
Box Office Manager – Sarah O’Leary
Kitchen Manager/Chef – Donna Breedlove
Bar Manager – Paul Tompros
Facilities/Stage Manager – George Bonifant
Technical Director – John Sichina
Master Electrician – Michael Collins
Production Coordinator – Rodney Fayman
Box Office Manager – Sarah O’Leary
Assistant Box Office Manager/Group Sales – Barbara Turek
Box Office Staff – Phyllis Goldblatt, Bonnie Warfield, Francine Joyce, Julie Belcher, Edie Bardoff, Jackie Gregory
Advertising/Promotions – Diane Smith
Head Waiter – Tony Capone
Pre-Show Announcer – Dick David
Photographer – Bill O’Leary
Program Advertising – Dinner Theatre Publications
Advertising Account Executive – Jon Finifter
Cast:
Oliver Twist – Jason Minor
Fagin – Andy Clemance
Artful Dodger – Seth Meurer
Bill Sykes – George Bonifant
Nancy – Cathy Mundy, Linda Payne
Bet – Karen Sklamm, Lisa Phillips Maron
Mr. Bumble – Jerry Payne, Jed Springfield
Mrs. Corney – Terry Mazzarella
Mr. Brownlow – Jerry Payne, Rodney Fayman
Mr. Sowerberry – Vince Thayer
Mrs. Sowerberry – Anita O’Leary
Charlotte Sowerberry/matinee Nancy – Francine Joyce
Noah Claypole/Cop – Steve Cramer
Widow Corney – Terri Mazzarella
The Orphans:
Michael Blank, Tara Blank, Lindsay Greenbaum, Heather Heaps, Sam Riegel, Karen Sommer
Standbys –Robby Peckerer & Gina Rhodes
The People of London:
George Bonifant, Steve Cramer, Francine Joyce, Marilyn Macy, Terri Mazzarella, Cathy Mundy, Jerry Payne, Anita O’Leary, Karen Sklamm, Vince Thayer
Understudies:
Oliver – Chad Wain
Nancy – Francine Joyce
Dodger – Tara Blank
Mrs. Sowerberry – Phyllis Goldblatt
Mr. Brownlow – Vince Thayer
Oliver! 1987
A note from Francine Joyce, who started her acting career as a child at Burn Brae Dinner Theatre:
As a child, there was the excitement of climbing the stairs to the original building in 1969 to see “Gypsy.” The lobby smelled of corkboard, B&W show photos on the walls. That moment I felt the adrenalin kick in and knew this exciting new concept was where I wanted to be. A few months later, I was performing and being directed there by some very talented adults. I was a quick study, very observant, saw all and kept it to myself. The beginning of wonderful bonds of lifelong friendships I have forged for over a half century that I cherish. Bea Saks (a talented, lovely woman) imparted sage advice to me. Years later, the moment it happened, I looked up to heaven, smiled and said, “Hey Bea, you were right.”
As an adult, after years of performing (AFTRA/SAG/AEA), I moved back to Maryland from New York City. I saw an audition notice for Burn Brae and thought it would be fun to go. Rodney, JK and Dick David were seated at the casting table. It felt familiar. I walked onstage, stated my name, got out one line of the song and STOPPED. I asked, “Gentlemen, is there something wrong?” They were shaking with contained laughter, tears rolling down their cheeks, trying to catch their breath. Finally, Rodney contained himself long enough to say, “Facially, you look EXACTLY the same as you did as a child. Only now, it looks like someone took an air hose and BLEW you up to Woman Size! Callbacks are Monday Night at 7.” As I exited to the lobby, the laughter became unbridled! I said to George Bonifant, who was calling the auditions, “They are going to need a minute before the next person goes in.”
– Francine Joyce, Actor
