THE
SIGNATURE SIGONELLA, SICILY
VOL. 29 NO. 9
MARCH
9, 2012
cnic.navy.mil/sigonella
Department of Defense Dependents Schools (DoDDS) Sigonella and the Community Players of Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella performed Lionel Bart’s Oliver! The musical took more than 100 people to produce and nine weeks of building and performance practices. (U.S. Navy photo by MC2 Matthew C. Haws/Released)
Oliver! takes center stage in Sigonella D BY MC2 MATTHEW C. HAWS NAS Sigonella Public Affairs
epartment of Defense Dependents Schools (DoDDS) Sigonella and Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella Community Players performed Lionel Bart’s Tony-award winning musical Oliver!, based on Charles Dickens' novel Oliver Twist. The production, which took nine weeks to produce, was a collaboration of more than 100 students and community members. "I would have to say we had at least 50 or so people outside of acting that helped with stage setup, making the costumes, and the makeup and the lighting," said Stage Director Lynn Soeby. We had a lot of community involvement and it really showed with this year's performance." Oliver Twist is a story of a 9-year-old orphan who, through several dramatic events, finds his way home to his long lost grandfather. The play starts in an orphanage in the 1850's of London with a series of dark characters that humorously send Oliver spiraling into extreme situations. "This play is different from others we have done in the past because the characters are dark, but they are portrayed in a very light way. You could almost call it a dark comedy," said Soeby. Each of the characters was intricately portrayed in Western inspired Victorian attire with matching makeup to finish off the ensemble. All of this could not happen without the inspiration of returning cast members and artists. "I have been doing stage make-up here for seven Christine Arnold, make-up coordinator, transformers years," said Christine Arnold. "It takes a lot of research Dr. Adam Saperstein into his character Dr. Grimwig. to bring the characters to life and make them unreco(U.S. Navy photo by MC2 Matthew C. Haws/Released)
gnizable. Most of our input comes from our stage directors so that we can get a vision of how the characters are portrayed. I think the make-up allows the actors to evolve into their parts and lets the audience escape into the show itself without being distracted with who is on stage." Each actor played a critical part in Oliver's roller coaster ride of adventures. The play was more than just a performance; it was a learning experience as well. “I really adore working with children and I love to incorporate music into their education," said Thea Burke, who has participated in the musicals both onstage and behind the scenes since 2003. I remember being that little kid and looking at the older kids in community theatre. It's really important that we bring our talents together because it enriches the learning experience of the students at DoDDS as well as everyone else that is involved." DoDDS hosts a school-community cooperative production each year and everyone is invited to attend or volunteer. "I always say ... If you can sing in the shower, then you should audition for a part," said Soeby.
Oliver! more photos on page 8
QUOTE
OF THE WEEK
“The biggest adventure you can ever take is to live the life of your dreams.” - Oprah Winfrey
Read Across America comes to Sigonella
Ramacca honors St. Joseph
Getting outside the Triangle
NAS Sigonella Elementary School students celebrate reading!
The religious festival takes place March 18 and 19.
Guest Writer Matthew Clutter explains.
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