Consider Yourself Lucky If You Get Tickets To This ‘Oliver’ Production

How could anyone ask for more?

Central Valley School District is bringing the musical “Oliver” to the stage next month at The Met in downtown Spokane.

More than 70 students from district schools have roles in the production, which is based on Charles Dickens’ novel “Oliver Twist.”

Auditions were held in October and more than 245 students tried out, said director Michael Muzatko. When it came time for casting, he said, decisions were made without knowing the students’ ages or where they went to school.

“It was based solely on talent and ability,” Muzatko said.

Since the cast was chosen, rehearsals have been held five days a week, he said. The students did take a break during the two-week winter holiday.

The production has been in the planning stages for nearly a year.

At least 100 students are involved in putting on the musical. Muzatko said the U-Hi construction trades class built the set, which was designed specifically to fit the stage at the Met, where it will be performed.

The show will run Feb. 10-13, with curtain time at 7 p.m. Tickets cost $10 for adults, $7 for students. About half the tickets for the four-day run have already been sold. Seats are reserved. To order tickets, call 922-6737.

DECA students at Central Valley are in charge of ticket sales and publicity.

High school students will also provide stage management for the show. Susan Goodrich, drama teacher at Central Valley High, is the producer.

Cast members include: Cody Sherrodd as Oliver; Colton Carrothers as Artful Dodger; Abby Nordstrom as Nancy; Bill Keating as Bill Sykes; and Tim Liese as Fagin.

Twelve to 15 students will make up the orchestra for the musical, Muzatko said.

Bring on the beefcake

Eleven male students will vie for the title “Mr. University” on Monday at 7 p.m. in the University High gymnasium.

The pageant is a fund-raiser for the Titan cheerleaders, who will participate in the National High School Cheerleading Championships, Feb. 6-7 in Orlando, Fla.

Participants are Paul Hatcher, Jeff Lake, Zach Ewers, Dustin Warwick, Steve Silcock, Conor Jordan, Reggie Lee, Grant Falco, Jake Roberts, Bob Cunningham and Jonnie Larson.

They’ll perform in a talent category, answer impromptu questions and dress in formal wear donated by Mr. Tux.

“It will be a fun time. It’s not really serious,” said cheer squad member Sheila Florin. “We just hope people will support us and we’ll give them a show to watch.”

U-Hi’s cheerleaders qualified for nationals by winning the All-Girls, Large-Squad division of a regional competition among schools from Washington, Idaho and Montana.

Goodwill at Trent

The Trent Elementary PTA is sponsoring a donation drive to help an employee of the school.

Brian Weiler, a custodian in the East Valley School District for many years and graduate of EV, has been diagnosed with cancer.

Weiler is married and has two small children. In an effort to help with the medical expense, the PTA has set up an account for donations in his name at Horizon Credit Union , 14523 E. Trent.

For more information, contact PTA vice president Cindy Towers at 924-2622.

Native American Program

The Spokane Valley Native American Program will hold its annual public hearing at 7 p.m. on Tuesday at Central Valley Educational Services Center, 19307 E. Cataldo.

The federally-funded program helps Native American children with culture, career planning and education.

The purpose of the meeting is to set goals and priorities for the next year. Those priorities will help shape how officials apply for grants. All parents and guardians of Native America students in Central Valley, West Valley, East Valley and Freeman school districts are encouraged to attend.

David BrownEagle, a speaker from the Spokane Tribe of Indians and Blackfeet Indians, will talk about current Native American culture. Refreshments will be served.

For more information, call the Native American program at 922-6863.

Diversity at EVHS

Students at East Valley High School raised $750 for the Martin Luther King Center last week as part of a week of diversity activities.

Students were designated blue, purple, orange or pink on one day. They were allowed to use restrooms and lunch tables only marked with their color.

All activities were planned by students in PRIDE, which stands for Personal Responsibility in Diversity and Education. One day, all students watched a video created by PRIDE members.

“Our PRIDE group is really prospering,” said member Katie Douglas, a sophomore. She estimated the group has about 40 members.