The Star Players are about to hit the stage for their 28th show, this time presenting three performances of Oliver from Oct. 9-11 at Venice Island Performing Arts Center.
Based at Holmesburg Recreation Center, the group is directed by Bill Arthur and features a core group of performers of all ages.
Through auditions and rehearsals, the Star Players always seem to come together to put on quality performances, forming a tight bond along the way.
“It’s not community theater, it’s family theater,” said Larry Goldberg.
Goldberg plays Mr. Bumble in Oliver, a musical based upon the 1838 novel Oliver Twist, by Charles Dickens. It’s set in London.
The musical was first performed in London in 1960, followed by Broadway in 1963. A 1968 film adaptation won the Academy Award for Best Picture.
Goldberg got his start in theater as a 9-year-old in a Paley Early Learning Center summer camp production of Grease, in which he played Danny. He’s been in shows at Northeast High, Penn State and Holy Family, and done some film and TV work.
For Goldberg, this will be his seventh show with the Star Players. He’s dedicated enough to the group to travel all the way from Berwyn, Chester County for rehearsals.
This will be Goldberg’s first time playing a villain, and he’ll sing a solo version of Boy for Sale. His favorite song in the show is Consider Yourself, which he expects to be the curtain call.
“It’s a huge production, and there are a lot of good songs,” he said.
Lily Banas, 11, a sixth-grader at St. Jerome, will play Oliver. She’s been in Junior versions of shows such as Aladdin, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Wizard of Oz, Willy Wonka and Newsies. She first learned of the Star Players when she was taking voice lessons at Holmesburg Rec and heard a rehearsal in another room.
“It sounded like a lot of fun,” she said.
She attended the group’s June production of Sister Act and enjoyed it, and now will be on stage with the Star Players in the title role.
“The group is very talented,” she said.
Barbara Sherman plays Nancy. She’s been in theater 35 years, but this is her first time in Oliver, though her husband Michael has done the show four times. Michael plays Fagin in this version.
Barbara is happy that Arthur cast her as Nancy, a role usually reserved for a younger person. She is looking forward to singing As Long as He Needs Me.
“I like my character,” she said. “It’s a great role. I always wanted to be Nancy.”
Sherman has been in and out of Star Players productions since the group formed.
“There are so many wonderful people in this group,” she said. “It’s like a big family. It’s a great group, it really is.”
In addition to directing, Arthur plays Bill Sikes. He likes Oliver, calling it a classic that a lot of people don’t know. There are roles and songs for both adults and kids.
Arthur has already selected Pippin for next spring’s production. It’ll be the Star Players’ 29th production, and Arthur has never repeated a show.
“And I never will,” he said. “There are thousands of musicals out there.” ••
The Star Players will present Oliver from Oct. 9-11 at Venice Island Performing Arts Center, 7 Lock St. in Manayunk. Show time is 7 p.m. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. Group rates are available. Buy on Venmo @TheStarplayers or at Holmesburg Recreation Center, 4500 Rhawn St. For more information, contact director Bill Arthur at 215-685-8714 or Starplayers2013@gmail.com.
