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Wilbraham Summer Youth Theatre production of 'Oliver!' slated for Sept. 5

WILBRAHAM The Wilbraham Summer Youth Theatre (WSYT) presents four performances of the Tony award-winning musical "Oliver!" at the Wilbraham Middle School, 466 Stony Hill Rd. Performances are on Sept. 5 at 7:30 p.m., Sept. 6 at 2 and 7:30 p.m., and Sept. 7 at 3:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students. To order tickets, call 599-1870, or visit the Web site at www.wsytontheweb.org.

The full-scale musical production, based on Charles Dickens' novel "Oliver Twist," is the culmination of the Wilbraham Summer Youth Theatre's 12th season of instructional workshops and theatrical experiences for young people. This year's production features all 64 of the program's participants, with the title role of Oliver being played by 12-year-old Brian Belleville.

The production is directed and choreographed by Kyle Rankins, with technical direction and costume design by Deb Trimble. Dan Mashia is the musical director and Paul Coffill is the orchestra conductor.

In May, both Rankins and Trimble were among the women honored by the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Woman as 2008 Unsung Heroines of Massachusetts. They were recognized for their work with the Wilbraham Summer Youth Theatre, which they founded in 1997 to give young people the opportunity to perform on stage, and to increase their skills, their knowledge and their confidence. The 12 week long summer program combines workshops in acting and rehearsal techniques, movement, character development, scene study, improvisation, audition preparation, musical theatre skills and general theatrical knowledge.