Consider Yourself Invited! Nicely Theatre Group Presents OLIVER!
- Jul 10
- 3 min read
*Sponsored Content
West Bloomfield, MI — Nicely Theatre Group will present Lionel Bart’s beloved musical Oliver! this July for six performances only at The Berman Center for Performing Arts in West Bloomfield. Directed by Mitch Master, with music and vocal direction by Dan Greig and choreography by Mark McCleese, this classic production will bring the heart, humor, and unforgettable music of Charles Dickens’ timeless story to the stage.
"We like to stage big, fun musicals with a lot of dancing and singing, and fun characters and uplifting stories. That’s what actors and audience members enjoy most." says David Carroll, Founder and Board President of Nicely Theatre Group.
"OLIVER! is a musical classic—a Broadway hit from the 1960’s that was made into a fantastic movie that won the Oscar for Best Picture in the late 1960’s." - David Carroll
"It’s a little dark and sad in some parts, but mostly it’s fun and entertaining, and it is ultimately a story of friendship and resilience. And it hasn’t been done in our area in a long time, so it will be a great chance for people to see it. "
Based on Dickens’ Oliver Twist, Oliver! follows a young orphan as he searches for belonging in Victorian London, encountering a colorful cast of characters along the way. Featuring iconic songs including “Food, Glorious Food,” “Consider Yourself,” “Where Is Love?” and “As Long as He Needs Me,” the musical continues to captivate audiences of all ages.
Nicely's production of Oliver! is just one example of their commitment to the Metro-Detroit theatre community.
"Although we have a strong, committed local live theatre community, sometimes we forget that a heavy majority of people very rarely see live shows. They simply aren’t connected to it, and they focus on sports, TV, movies and other forms of entertainment, and not theatre. We think that these people are missing out and we want to introduce them to the joy of live theatre—both for their own entertainment and to provide further opportunities for the artists in our theatre community. We call it “theatre for non-theatre people.” This means presenting entertaining, popular, family-friendly shows at an affordable price in a relaxed, fun atmosphere. (No dress codes, parking fees or $20 glasses of wine). And, of course, we enjoy the entire process of producing and presenting these shows. " Carroll continues.
The cast features Patrick Lane as Fagin, Sara Grice as Nancy, Joshua Kremhelmer as Oliver Twist, Cecily Gamarra as the Artful Dodger, Kevin Stames as Bill Sykes, and Mark Hamell as Mr. Bumble, along with numerous additional Metro-Detroit artists and residents.
With forty actors and over twenty musicians, Oliver! is Nicely's largest production ever.
"At its heart, Oliver! is about resilience." - director Mitch Masters.
"Oliver begins life facing hardship and uncertainty, yet he never loses hope as he searches for belonging and kindness. That's something audiences of every generation can connect with. Alongside unforgettable songs, dynamic choreography, and a cast of vibrant characters, I hope people leave the theatre inspired by the reminder that perseverance and compassion can light the way through even the most difficult circumstances."
Evening performances are at 7:30pm on July 17, 18, 24, and 25, with matinee performances at 2pm on July 19 and 26. The show has a running time of approximately 180 minutes with a 10-minute intermission and is suitable for all ages. Tickets are $40 and available now at nicelytheatregroup.org or by texting The Berman box office at 248-406-6677.
