I think we can agree that Thanksgiving weekend is a time of tradition. The Macy\u2019s Parade, football games on TV, family gatherings, they\u2019re all part of the mix.<\/p>\n
For decades, the Warehouse Theatre Company\u2019s holiday productions had a tradition of opening on Thanksgiving night. In recent years, a newer tradition of a Friday night opening following Turkey Day has been the norm. And, thanks to a partnership between East Valley High School and the WTC, large-cast musicals on the EVHS Performing Arts Center stage are also now traditional.<\/p>\n
This year, Lionel Bart\u2019s \u201cOliver!\u201d is the Warehouse holiday offering. Directed by Brandon Lamb and produced by the team of Chelle Bos and Pat Seely, the show is just the thing to inspire audiences to be thankful.<\/p>\n
An adaptation of \u201cOliver Twist,\u201d by Charles Dickens, “Oliver!” is a Tony Award-winning musical about a young, orphaned boy who triumphs in his search for a home and love in the uncaring world of Victorian London. When we witness the trials Oliver faces and see the obstacles he must overcome, we can\u2019t help but feel grateful that we aren\u2019t in his shoes.<\/p>\n
There are over 70 community members working on and in \u201cOliver!\u201d. Their efforts tie them to the story even more deeply. They have experienced Oliver\u2019s quest dozens and dozens of times over the past 11 weeks. Every costume, prop, set piece, light cue, dance step and musical note is influenced by that quest.<\/p>\n
So, with a nod to another Thanksgiving tradition \u2013 imagine here the sound of a fork tapping a half-full water glass \u2013 the cast and crew were recently asked to direct their attention to the following prompt: \u201cI\u2019m thankful to be part of community theatre and the Warehouse Theatre Company because…\u201d Let\u2019s go around the proverbial table and hear what 11 production members have to say:<\/p>\n
Chelle Bos, 61, producer:<\/strong> I’m so grateful for the people who share their unique skills and talents, solve problems, take direction and cheer each other on. WTC productions are a little like “Stone Soup” – we start with just words on a page, and end with great shows because company members are willing to add their unique seasoning to the mix (sometimes sweet, and sometimes salty).<\/p>\n Pat Boughton, 39, (Bill Sykes):<\/strong> I was a boy in the 90\u2019s who thought flowers were beautiful and music was true magic. There weren\u2019t many places for a boy like me.\u201d<\/p>\n Tony Gerardi, 79, (Mr. Brownlow):<\/strong> This is my 21st WTC show in 20 years as a member of the WTC. I am very thankful to be cast in my first musical production ever. I\u2019m not really a singer but recently after watching the 1968 version of the \u2018Oliver!\u2019 movie I decided to try out. Originally cast as Dr. Grimwig, I was excited to be scene partners with an old WTC friend Jack Gaudette. Jack had brilliantly played Oscar Madison in my debut WTC show, \u2018The Odd Couple\u2019 in 2006. Sadly, Jack became ill shortly after the \u2018Oliver!\u2019 audition and passed away three weeks later. I was asked to play Jack\u2019s role of Mr. Brownlow. This meant I was taken out of the adult ensemble and my singing and dancing roles. Jack will forever be credited for saving our patrons from the sounds of my dulcet voice. I am grateful for my 20 years with my Warehouse Theater family. We have sometimes laughed, we have sometimes cried but we are family forever. While we grieve the loss of one of our stars we are inspired by the kindling of many future ones. The show must go on.\u201d<\/p>\n Andrea Goberville, 54, (Adult Ensemble and Matron):<\/strong> I\u2019m thankful to be a part of the WTC and specifically \u2018Oliver\u2019 for a few reasons. I love being able to laugh and spend time with family and friends, old and new. I\u2019m thankful we can provide the opportunity for our community to engage in a live theater experience! And I\u2019m thankful for new creative challenges.<\/p>\n Xavier Gutierrez, 10, (Pickpocket):<\/strong> I\u2019m thankful to be part of the community theater because I love the thrill of getting to show everyone what we\u2019ve been working on. This is my first time doing a big theater show, and it\u2019s been really special to feel like I\u2019m part of a big family with lots of different people who all have awesome talents. It feels like magic when I\u2019m singing, dancing, and surrounded by all the props.<\/p>\n Keira Herron, 18, (Adult Ensemble and Dance Captain)<\/strong>: I\u2019m so thankful to be part of the Warehouse Theatre family. I\u2019m grateful for the trust, encouragement, and collaboration from everyone involved. This cast and creative team have created such a supportive, inspiring space where we can work hard, have fun, and grow together.<\/p>\n Rishi Kunhiraman, 14, (Jack Dawkins aka the Artful Dodger):<\/strong> Theater doesn’t discriminate against who you are, no matter your race, religion, beliefs, or anything else. I’m grateful for the opportunity to be here but…there’s something greater than that. I’m thankful for the people you do it with. To me, a cast and crew is your second family.<\/p>\n Meagan Lott, 43\/Olivia Lott, 10, (Adult Ensemble\/Kid Ensemble):<\/strong> The most recent and incredible gift WTC has given me is the opportunity to perform in \u2018Oliver!\u2019 with my daughter, Olivia. She lives with a rare genetic condition called MED13L, which impacts her intellect and mobility, preventing her from walking or talking. Being on stage together has introduced her to the beauty that is live theater, and it’s opening up a side of her I’ve never seen! Having this opportunity allows us to proudly show that an intellectual or physical disability is no barrier to being a part of this amazing community. Just as WTC welcomed me with open arms when I auditioned and was cast during the 2007-2008 season in \u2018Uh Oh Here Comes Christmas,\u2019 they have done the same for Olivia. I’m so thankful WTC has been such a supportive family for nearly two decades and for cherishing Olivia as one of their own!<\/p>\n Tim McFadden, 65, (Mr. Sowerberry):<\/strong> I only participated in one production in high school because sports always seemed to get in the way. That production was \u2018Oliver!\u2019 and I played Mr. Brownlow back in 1979 at Davis High School under the direction of Roger Stansbury. As life went on, I drifted away from the stage. Since moving back to Yakima, I have become more interested in getting back into something that I really enjoy but had been missing in my life. The history and the community support of Warehouse Theatre in Yakima is a beautiful thing and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed this \u2018full circle\u2019 moment of returning to theatre in this production of \u2018Oliver!\u2019.<\/p>\n Jaron J. Mohler, 18, (Noah Claypole and Adult Ensemble):<\/strong> I personally am thankful to be a part of the Warehouse Theater Company because it allows me to continue growing my talents. The cast, crew and the amazing team of directors from \u2018Oliver!\u2019 have all grown to be one rather large and happy family over the past couple months. I am grateful to be part of that family …\u00a0<\/p>\n Jack Swindell, 20, (Adult Ensemble):<\/strong> I am thankful to be able to bring culture and the arts to the public. I am grateful for a medium that brings people of different backgrounds, working areas, politics, and families coming together for one shared goal. The people I\u2019ve met at \u2018Oliver!\u2019 are among the nicest people I’ve ever met, and I feel like I have a second family with these people.<\/p>\n Isn\u2019t it interesting that these messages of thanks share a theme? From the youngest to the oldest, the word \u201cfamily\u201d pops up again and again. And unlike the actual tradition of giving thanks, no one here had a chance to piggyback on someone else\u2019s answer, as in \u201cThat\u2019s what I was going to say.\u201d They each genuinely find the Warehouse Theatre to be a place of belonging.<\/p>\n Their quest to find connection may not be as fraught as Oliver\u2019s, but it\u2019s clear that – as it says in the famous number from the show – they \u201cconsider themselves at home\u201d at the WTC. Through their holiday season performances, they\u2019ll welcome audience members into the family as well. Together, they can be thankful that tradition continues at the Warehouse Theatre Company.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n \u2018 The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties \u2019 <\/em><\/p>\n \u2018 Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.yakimaherald.com \u2019 <\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" I think we can agree that Thanksgiving weekend is a time of tradition. The Macy\u2019s Parade, football games on TV, family gatherings, they\u2019re all part of the mix. For decades, the Warehouse Theatre Company\u2019s holiday productions had a tradition of opening on Thanksgiving night. 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