Consider yourself one of the family

Sullivan County Dramatic Workshop’s “Oliver!” redefines notion of family entertainment

SOUTH FALLSBURG, NY — The energy in the show is uncanny and uplifting. As the final musical coda of the Sullivan County Dramatic Workshop’s (SCDW) performance of “Oliver!” at the Rivoli Theatre brings the audience to its feet, it is clear that this show has a lot more going for it than its charming story, great music and period authenticity. To be sure, Lionel Bart’s outstanding musical, which opened on Broadway in 1968, has all of that. So what could be so enchanting about SCDW’s revival—its first musical in recent years?

The answer: cohesion. A byproduct not only of a great cast and superb directing by Lori Schneider-Wendt and fine musical direction of Lucie Evans, but most significantly an extension of the close relationships that exist among many of the cast and crew. Talk about family entertainment– the number of people in this show that have real-life connections is nothing short of startling.

Take the DiPalma family for instance. In a day and age when families rarely ever sit down together at dinner, this five-some, which includes dad Chris, mom Nikki Jo and children Al, Samantha and Gerard, has been actively involved in Oliver! While dad and mom sing and dance as part of the company, the kids eat their meager meal as part of the workhouse boys and later cavort as part of Fagin’s rapscallions. “It’s been hectic but phenomenal,” says Chris. “I’m enjoying this because I’m spending time with my family,” he adds. Nikki Jo concurs: “I’m seeing what my kids are capable of. This is so awesome.”

Then there are the Jacksons. Brothers Miarden and Talli came on board only two weeks prior to the show’s opening. They assumed not only the roles of the Artful Dodger (Miarden) and Mr. Sowerberry/ Dr. Grimwig and choreographer (Talli), but they performed like seasoned actors. Their mom, Peggy, who made the show’s spectacularly realistic costumes, said “This is the first time they’ve done anything like this (acting), and it’s wonderful.” The brothers are veterans of many types of other performances.

More family connections abound. Josh and Drew Maier are brothers in the company. Heidi Wolosczak endears as a rose seller, her mom Bunny steers as stage manager while Heidi’s brother Chip makes things appear and disappear as lighting manager. Ann Finneran (Old Annie) joined the cast to be in a show with her daughter Nina Seehausen while Ellen Pavloff (Bet) and her son Matthew (Noah Claypole) unite their energy as co-actors. Pavloff directs Fallsburg High School’s fabulous productions, and Matthew is a veteran of many of those shows. Christpher Kitzmiller plays one of Fagin’s boys while his mom Ellen is the orchestra’s flautist.

Wait, there’s more! Kaylan and Lauren Cemelli are sisters in the company. Rosalie Siciliano is one of the Workhouse Boys/ Fagin’s Boys while her mom Vicki takes tickets and works as a “child wrangler.” Vivian Ginsburg is another “wrangler” and her daughter Gabriella is one of Fagin’s gang. Brother and sister Aaron and Rachel Schmitt are both in the company. Their mom Barbara is a former student of Rich Topper (Fagin) who is a retired Fallsburg High School teacher and director. Other cast members were former students of Topper as well. Harold Tighe (Mr. Bumble), a seasoned veteran of SCDW and Forestburgh Playhouse, is principal of Livingston Manor High School and was a prime mover in encouraging Taylor Lamerand (Oliver) to audition for Forestburgh Playhouse’s “The Sound of Music” and for “Oliver!” Lori Schubeler (Nancy) and Jim Heisel (Bill Sykes) have a stormy and volatile relationship in the show but actually exist harmoniously as significant others. Other cast members are co-workers from the Sullivan County Department of Community Services.

But the icing on the cake is the connection of Fallsburg High School junior Aaron Kaplan (company) to the theatre itself. As Kaplan’s dad Irving recounts it, Aaron’s great grandfather Isador Kaplan was a carpenter who helped to build the Rivoli Theatre. The Kaplan family bought the property. Rose Kaplan married Sam Rosenschein. They owned the Rivoli Theatre, which opened in 1923. Rose’s daughter Alice (Manzi) ran the theatre for many years through its vaudeville era and into the age of the talkies. Aaron’s grandfather Leo and his uncle Moe were projectionists in the theatre for a quarter of a century and Irving spent much of his time hanging around the theatre and later building sets while a student at Fallsburg High School. Aaron has performed in Fallsburg High School shows and has appeared at the Rivioli as well. He is living proof that the love of the theatre cuts across generations and can become a family enterprise.

Simply put, this production of “Oliver!” is a family affair that is harmonious and enchanting. Don’t miss this weekend’s upcoming performances on August 12 and 13 at 8:00 p.m. and on August 14 at 2:00 pm.

For tickets call 434-7232.