Cast of 37 Takes the Mainstage in one of Broadway’s Most Beloved Musicals

Desert Stages Theatre Presents the Musical ‘Oliver!’…Show Opens Oct. 7 through Nov. 5

Scottsdale, Ariz. (Oct. 3, 2011) - The musical “Oliver!” lights up the Mainstage at Desert Stages Theatre (www.DesertStages.org), conveniently located on the southwest corner of Scottsdale Road and Highland (near Coco’s and Scottsdale Fashion Square) Fri., Oct. 7, through Sun., Nov. 5.

The multi-award-winning production is the beloved musical that tells the story of ‘the boy who asked for more’ – Oliver Twist.

“Oliver is a Broadway favorite and we’ve got a great cast in all 37 members who bring passion and energy to the stage in this large, quite gratifying musical production,” said Terry Helland, show director and also artistic director of Desert Stages Theatre.

Charles Dickens’ timeless characters are brought to life by Zachary Denious as Oliver Twist; Matthew Harris as Mr. Bumble; Katibelle Collins as widow Corney; Keaton Honaker as Noah Claypole; John Dugas as Mr. Sowerberry; Ruth Fahy as Mrs. Sowerberry; and Becca Courtney as Charlotte, among many others in the 37-member cast.

The sensational score is full of Lionel Bart's irresistible melodies including Food Glorious Food, Consider Yourself, You've Got to Pick-a-Pocket or Two, I'd Do Anything, Oom Pah Pah, As Long As He Needs Me and many more.

Show times are Fridays and Saturdays, 7:30pm; and Saturdays and Sundays, 2pm in the Mainstage Cullity Hall. Ticket prices are: $25 day of show ($20 seniors and students) and $22 in advance online at www.DesertStages.org at the box office, or by phone at 480.443.1664 ext. 1.

About Desert Stages Theatre. A bustling community playhouse, Scottsdale’s nonprofit Desert Stages Theatre was founded in 1995, and presents more than 400 performances every season, from August to July. Three show schedules occur simultaneously throughout the year: Actor’s Café performances in the intimate, proscenium-style 60-seat theatre; the Mainstage Series in Cullity Hall, an innovative theatre-in-the-round; and the Children’s Theatre Series, also performed in Mainstage Cullity Hall. DST is led by cofounder and executive director Laurie Cullity; business manager and cofounder Joan Thompson; and artistic director Terry Helland. Included in each DST season are children’s productions of original scripts, musical scores and lyrics by cofounder Gerry Cullity whose work is still relished five years after his passing. Desert Stages has developed thousands of thespians, young and old, many with compelling personal stories of triumph and major stage success and all of whom perform at DST for the pure love of the theatre.

# # #