Consider ‘Oliver’ at The Community House in Hinsdale
By Chuck Fieldman cfieldman@pioneerlocal.com January 23, 2012 2:42PM
Rehearsal for the upcoming production of "Oliver" at the Community House in Hinsdale features Kyle Donnelly (left) as Fagin, Mae Javois of Hinsdale as Oliver and Kaitlyn Bergin of Clarendon Hills as one of the pickpocketing kids. | Vincent D. Johnson~fo
Showtimes for ‘Oliver’
“Oliver” will be performed at 7 p.m. Feb. 3, at 3 p.m. Feb. 5, at 7 p.m. Feb. 10-11 and 2 and at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 12, at The
Community House, 415 W. Eighth St., Hinsdale.
For ticket information, call (630) 323-7500, or check at http://www.thecommunityhouse.org
Article Extras
Updated: February 27, 2012 8:19AM
Despite some fairly extensive acting experience, 9-year-old Lexi Klein never expected to be cast in the lead role of Oliver for The Community House and Stage Door Fine Arts production of “Oliver.”
A third-grader at Prospect School in Clarendon Hills, this is the sixth Stage Door play for Lexi, who began acting when she was 5 and has been in two additional productions outside of Stage Door.
The first-round of auditions were of a general nature, meaning for Lexi she was just looking to land a role.
“I knew I wanted to be in the play because it looks like a lot of fun, and I love to sing,” she said. “I didn’t think I’d get a big part because it has people of all ages in it, but I was very excited when my mother told me that I had gotten the role as Oliver.”
Lexi is playing Oliver in the London cast, one of two groups sharing performances. The role of Oliver is being handled by 11-year-old Mae Javois of Hinsdale in the England cast.
The musical production is based on the Charles Dickens novel, Oliver Twist, the story of an orphan who dared to ask for more food and is sent on a journey of a lifetime and finds his way into a gang of pickpockets.
“I am a little nervous, but I’m very excited, too, and once you get going, you’re not nervous anymore,” Lexi said. “I knew it would be hard, but it’s fun.”
Lexi said she enjoys being in plays for a few major reasons.
“I get to be with my friends, and when you’re in a play, you get to show your emotions,” she said. “I also love to sing.”
She said the biggest challenge of playing Oliver is keeping a serious tone.
“I have to be pretty serious in this role, and I’m usually always smiling,” she said.
For Mae, a fifth-grader at St. Isaac Jogues in Hinsdale, playing Oliver also is her first lead role. She previously was in the chorus of “Aladdin” and “Willy Wonka,” and played one of the stepsisters in “Cinderella.” This is her first production with Stage Door.
“Oliver is a new experience for me,” Mae said. “It is fun because I have met so many new people, and they are all so funny and nice.”
Along with the upcoming production of “Oliver” being the first lead roles for Mae and Lexi, it also is the first time Burr Ridge residents Michael Wojnickis and his children, Jordan, 13, and Ryann, 9, will perform together. The play marks Michael’s stage debut.
“My wife and I have always supported the girls in their theatrical endeavors,” Michael Wojnickis said. “We help out and watch every show as each performance unfolds. For me, this show is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to actually participate in every aspect of the process. It will forever be a part of my relationship with my girls.”
And Jordan is looking forward to opening night, too.
“I can’t wait for the meet and greet at the end of the opening night show when my mom brings my dad the bouquet of flowers,” she said.
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