March 14 – April 2, 2023

Maltz Jupiter Theatre Stage

Tickets

The Maltz Jupiter Theatre proudly presents Lionel Bart’s Tony®- and Olivier Award®-winning musical, OLIVER!, as its final production for the 2022/2023 season.

Featuring an Equity cast of 18 actors, 16 student actors, and a 12-person orchestra, this musical will be one of the largest productions produced on the Maltz Jupiter Theatre’s stage. This classic tale, based on Charles Dickens’s beloved novel with an iconic score by Lionel Bart, follows young orphan Oliver Twist and his journey to find the true love of a family in 19th century England. After escaping a workhouse and an abusive apprenticeship, Oliver finds himself amongst a colorful cast of characters, including petty thieves, street urchins, and pickpockets.

“I specifically waited until our new Broadway-scale stage was complete to accommodate this large-scale production,” said Producing Artistic Director and Chief Executive Andrew Kato. “I’m so proud to work with two-time Tony Award-nominee and two-time Carbonell winner Denis Jones to bring this classic musical to life. Denis is returning to the Maltz Jupiter Theatre as director and choreographer of OLIVER!, after directing the stunning 2020 production of Chicago.

Denis Jones’ work has also been seen on Broadway in Tootsie, Irving Berlin’s Holiday Inn, Honeymoon in Vegas, the Metropolitan Opera’s Eurydice, and many more. He won the Helen Hayes Award for Best Choreography for his work on Crazy For You (Signature Theatre). His credits feature other well-known and beloved musicals, such as The Sound of Music (Chicago Lyric Opera), A Chorus Line, Hello Dolly! (Marriott Theatre), The Music Man (Goodman Theatre), and many more.

The iconic OLIVER!’s 12-piece orchestra will be conducted by Music Director Matthew Smedal, whose music direction credits include Broadway’s Mrs. Doubtfire (he was also the music director for the original cast album), off-Broadway’s Clueless The Musical, and national tours of The Bodyguard, Matilda, Ghost The Musical, and Catch Me If You Can. He is also the Music Supervisor for the new national tour of Annie and the music director for the Toronto installation of Matilda.

The Maltz Jupiter Theatre is renowned for its award-winning productions, and OLIVER! is no exception. Audiences can expect outstanding performances from veteran and up-and-coming actors, as well as stunning sets and costumes that will transport them back to Victorian London. With its inspiring message of love and family, this is a show that everyone can enjoy.

The role of Oliver will be played by Benjamin Pajak, making his Maltz Jupiter Theatre debut as 11-year-old Oliver himself. Pajak held the originating role of Winthrop in The Music Man on Broadway, opposite Hugh Jackman, for which he won The Theater World Award. His short film, “Where It’s Beautiful When It Rains,” stood out at the Fantasia Film Festival. Other credits include recording for Apple TV, Netflix, and an Amazon podcast. Pajak is also a proud recipient of The Young Entertainers Award for Best Commercial.

The role of Fagin will be played by Jon J. Peterson, whose credits include Broadway’s Cabaret and Off-Broadway and regional credits of Barefoot In The Park, Annie, Singin’ In The Rain, Rocky Horror Show, and A Chorus Line. His film credits include Looks That Kill, The Color of War, and Surviving Picasso.

Lindsey Corey steps into the role of Nancy, an adventurous and complex character. Corey is a Carbonell Award-winning actor most recently seen in the World Premiere Production of American Rhapsody and the new Broadway-bound musical A Wonderful World. Off stage, Corey produces audio recordings for the blind with the Library of Congress.

Making his Maltz Jupiter Theatre debut, Cooper Grodin steps into the role of the main antagonist and criminal, Bill Sikes. Grodin is an accomplished actor, singer, musician, and composer who received his master’s degree from the Manhattan School of Music. He held the title role in the Phantom of the Opera National Tour and was a Carbonell nominee for Best Actor for the Carbonell-winning Best Musical Sunday in the Park with George. His other credits include Les Misérables National Tour, Shakespeare in the Park’s Into The Woods, Annie, and the Henry Award-winning Best Musical Oklahoma!.

The charming and charismatic Artful Dodger, a.k.a. Jack Dawkins, will be played by local actor Chase Bauer, a theatre major at BAK Middle School of the Arts. He has appeared in various Maltz Jupiter Theatre and Performing Arts Academy of Jupiter shows, including Willy Wonka Jr., The Drowsy Chaperone, Greek Mythology Olympia Ganza, and he recently finished Newsies at Palm Beach Atlantic Children’s Theatre.

Joining the ensemble of OLIVER! Is Collin J. Bradley, Roberta Burke (Mrs. Sowerberry/Old Sally), Sydney Chow (Charlotte/Mrs. Bedwin), Kuppi Jessop (Bill Sikes u/s), Kim Cozort Kay (Widow Corny), Christopher Morrissey, Annaya Osborne (Widow Corney u/s), Lizz Picini (Associate Choreographer/Mrs.Sowerberry and Old Sally u/s), James Michael Reilly (Mr. Sowerberry/Mr. Brownlow), Wesley Slade (Noah Claypole/ Dr. Grimwig/ Bumble u/s), Troy Stanley as Mr. Bumble, and Emily Van Vliet Perea (Charlotte/ Mrs. Bedwin u/s).

The production team of talented individuals includes Scenic Designer Michael Schweikardt (whose work includes both Off-Broadway and regional productions, and an eight-year run of Phantom in Seoul, South Korea); Costume Designer Leslye Menshouse (whose costumes have been seen on many South Florida stages, including the Maltz’s recent production of A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum); Sound Designer Scott Stauffer (another Maltz Jupiter Theatre veteran, his work includes many Broadway, Off-Broadway and regional productions); and Lighting Designer, Kirk Bookman (whose work spans from Broadway and Off-Broadway productions to various regional productions across the country).

Other student actors performing in the show include Kaia Davis, Beckett Edward Hess,

Jack Rodman (Dodger u/s), Brea Siegal, Lily Rose Shytle, Noah Weiss (Oliver u/s), Jaxon Wooding, Campbell Wooley, Thomas J. Amenita – IV, Devan Donelly, Alexander William Harris, Isabella Hodges, Danica Slavin, and Sophia Trujillo.

Since premiering on the West End in 1960, OLIVER! has captivated audiences of all ages with its lighthearted storyline and upbeat musical numbers. From the showstopper “Food, Glorious Food” to the heart-wrenching “As Long As He Needs Me,” this timeless musical will surely bring joy and hope to all who attend.

OLIVER! is sponsored by The Napier Family in memory of Richard J Katz.

Individual tickets can be purchased online now, starting at $68 per ticket. Single, group, and luxury box office tickets can be purchased through the Maltz Jupiter Theatre at go.jupitertheatre.org or call: (561) 575-2223.

On the heels of opening the newly renovated, state-of-the-art performing arts facility, the Maltz Jupiter Theatre recently announced an exciting 2023/2024 season lineup, which is also the organization’s 20th Anniversary. The Maltz Jupiter Theatre prides itself on producing classic and new plays and musicals on a grand scale, and the upcoming season will not disappoint. The celebratory season performances will include Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express (October 29 – November 12, 2023), A Christmas Carol (November 28 – December 10, 2023), Beautiful – The Carole King Musical (January 9 – 28, 2024), Plaza Suite (February 11 – 25), and 42nd Street (March 12 – 31, 2024). Tickets for the new season are only available to subscribers and groups, and single tickets will go on sale in August.

About the Maltz Jupiter Theatre

The not-for-profit Maltz Jupiter Theatre has become one of Florida’s preeminent professional theatres, committed to production and education through its collaborations with local and national artists. Currently the state’s largest award-winning regional Theatre, the Theatre draws 100,000 people annually, serves a subscription base of more than 6,200, and has world-class classroom facilities supporting its Goldner Conservatory, which serves hundreds of youth and adults. Having recently completed a stunning $36 million renovation, the Theatre now boasts state-of-the-art professional facilities supporting talented artists who create Broadway-quality productions on stage. The Theatre is a member of the prestigious League of Resident Theatres and has earned numerous Carbonell Awards, South Florida’s highest honor for artistic excellence, including the prestigious Bill Von Maurer Award for Theatrical Excellence. For more information about the Theatre’s upcoming shows and activities at the Goldner Conservatory, visit www.jupitertheatre.org or call the box office at (561) 575-2223.