Blended cast of disabled and professional actors to perform Oliver! in September
LARGO, FL (July 21, 2017) – Theatre eXceptional introduces its third season of theatre arts and education performances for adults with disabilities with the production of Oliver! at the Central Park Performing Arts Center in Largo. Following a sold out run of The Wizard of Oz in 2016, the cast will again consist of a blend of bay area professional actors and actors with disabilities in this full length musical production.
“Pick a pocket or two” with the young Oliver Twist, played by Theatre eXceptional first timer AJ Rommel, on his adventures through the hidden depths of old London town in the company’s third annual main stage production. Meet characters like The Artful Dodger, played by Jordan Krolak, or the dreary undertakers Mr. and Mrs. Sowerberry, played by Tyler Crose and Sally Norris who starred in The Wizard of Oz the year prior.
Oliver! is a benefit performance to support Theatre eXceptional, a Blue Butterfly Production. Theatre eXceptional is an organization that uses the performing arts to raise awareness, break stigmas, and provides professional level education and performance opportunities for adults with disabilities. Through theatre classes in the fall and spring, Theatre eXceptional has taught over 60 students with varying disabilities who have proven year after year that they are able to perform at the level of some of the professional theaters in the area.
Co-directed by Theatre eXceptional’s Managing Director Michelle Larson and local actor Johnny Garde, the musical will run September 8-9, 15-16 at 7:30 p.m. with Sunday matinees September 10 and 17 at 2 p.m. in the Tonne Playhouse at the Central Park Performing Arts Center. This performance is made possible in partnership with The Tampa Bay Lightning Foundation, Largo Rotary Club and the City of Largo.
Theatre eXceptional presents:
Oliver!
By: Lionel Bart
Directed by: Michelle Larson & Johnny Garde
When: September 8 – 10 & 15-17, 2017
Opening night: September 8, 7:30 p.m.
Friday & Saturdays 7:30 p.m.
Matinees: September 10 & 17, 2 p.m.
Central Park Performing Arts Center
105 Central Park Dr.
Largo, FL 33771
Tickets: $20.50 presale, $18 for groups of 10+
Box Office: (727)587-6793 or www.largoarts.com
About Blue Butterfly Productions:
Blue Butterfly Productions serves the community and supports local artists in the pursuit of powerful, meaningful work for cultural enrichment and the betterment of society.
Founded in the summer of 2015, Blue Butterfly Productions is a nonprofit arts organization based in Largo, Florida. Blue Butterfly’s mission is to support local artists to bolster cultural enrichment in the community while simultaneously utilizing their talents for powerful philanthropic work. Blue Butterfly consists of several organizations including Porch Stories, Theatre eXceptional, and the 4×6 Fest. Richard Kamler stated, “Art is one true global language. It knows no nation, it favors no race, and it acknowledges no class. It speaks to our need to reveal, heal, and transform. It transcends our ordinary lives and lets us imagine what is possible.”
www.bluebutterflyproductions.org