No snow's stopping 'Oliver!'

PINE PLAINS — Inclement weather may have canceled a few practices, but the Stissing Theatre Guild’s 2010 production, “Oliver!� is on schedule and gearing up to go in time for its performance run next week.

The original play, which premiered in 1960, was one of the first musical adaptations of a Charles Dicken’s work. A London revival last year brought the production back into the public eye, which is perfect timing for the Stissing Theatre Guild.

Lisa Baldwin, the director and choreographer, explained that she knew which students would be in this year’s production before she knew which production the guild would be putting on. Once the principal actors were established, she looked for  a production that would play to the actors’ strengths.

“You look at who you have and you try to make a match,� she said last week in the middle of choreography rehearsal. “It’s all about finding chemistry.�

“Oliver!� is Baldwin’s second production in Pine Plains, returning after last year’s “Crazy For You.� That production took advantage of Stissing Mountain’s dynamic duo, graduating valedictorian and salutatorian twins Jon and David Bisson, for the play’s identical twin-starring roles.

This year the Bissons, who are currently attending Dutchess  Community College, are being utilized in a slightly different way. While not a part of the production, Jon has jumped into the role of publicity director and David is settling into his job as stage manager. They are jointly handling the duties associated with assistant director.

“It’s wonderful to have them in an assistant’s capacity,� said Baldwin. “They’ve been great.�

This year’s production requires more than 100 people, and it’s no small feat to corral children as young as the fourth grade all the way up to eight senior Stissing Mountain School District staff in line for the production.

“It’s definitely coming along,� Baldwin said. For a group of actors who may not have much prior stage experience, this year’s Stissing group “has the willingness to push through, buckle down and really get it right.

“It’s amazing the amount of talent you’ll find in Pine Plains,� she added.

The catch phrase surrounding this particular interpretation of “Oliver!� is “Same show, new twist,� and Baldwin said that reflects some of the contemporary elements added to the production. Currently relevant issues and themes such as poverty and economics have been updated to reflect the times, and more modern techniques such as stopping and starting time will certainly add a twist to the familiar tale of Oliver Twist.

“I feel very fortunate to have an artistic community like this one in Pine Plains,� Baldwin explained, “and to be able to have this opportunity for the students. It’s very well-supported.�

The main players in this year’s production include Emily Thompson as Oliver, Austin Christensen as Dodger and Andrew Crispell as Fagin. Assisting Baldwin, among others, are Joe Deveau as musical director and Lauri Young as vocal musical director.

“Oliver!� will be performed by the Stissing Theatre Guild March 19 through 21. The Friday and Saturday performance times are at 7:30 p.m.; Sunday’s performance is at 2 p.m. Adult tickets cost $12 and student and senior tickets will run $10; group discounts are available. The play will be held at the Stissing Mountain High School auditorium, located at 2829 Church St. in Pine Plains. The box office can be reached at 518-398-1272.