OLIVÉRio: A Brazilian Twist
- Short Musical, Drama, Comedy, Contemporary
- 3M, 4F
- ISBN: OA8
OLIVÉRio: A Brazilian Twist is a joyful retelling of Oliver Twist set in modern-day Rio de Janeiro that tackles issues of poverty, inequity and injustice while exploring Brazil's rich music and culture.
Description
- Short Musical
- Drama, Comedy
- 65 minutes
- Time Period: Contemporary
- Target Audience: Pre-Teen (Age 11 - 13), Children (Age 6 - 10), Appropriate for all audiences
- Performance Group:
- High School/Secondary, Jr High/Primary, Community Theatre, TYA
Esperanca Oliverio, nicknamed Oli, is a homeless orphan girl who asks lemanja, the goddess of the sea, for a "little bit more" in her life. Con man Falcão and his artful young thief Zé Esquiva invite Oli to live with them in the favela, hoping they can use her sweet nature as a perfect distraction to steal from Rosa Maria, the rich widow who lives in a penthouse in Copacabana.
In the favela, Oli meets Nancí, a young woman who begins to teach Oli how to read. But when Nancí's jealous police officer boyfriend, Sykes, gets involved, everyone's life is in peril and everyone has to choose between doing what is easy and what is right.
REVIEWS:
"Zacarías explores the immense socioeconomic inequality in a modern, large Latin American city by telling a familiar story in a way that even an elementary school age child could understand."
Broadway World
"The message offered...is an important one for even the youngest theatregoer. Hope can survive."
Broadway World
"Shines a light on continuing child poverty in our cities today, but ends on a note of hope -- all set to a samba beat and brightened with the flamboyant costumes of Carnival."
Our Kids
"We are dropped into a colorful world of hope, trust, scandal and choice."
MD Theatre Guide
"Interactive and delightful...It's not only educational, but also culturally and morally stimulating."
MD Theatre Guide
"This newly commissioned Brazilian musical take on the familiar Oliver Twist story is interesting enough to attract audiences of all ages without the excuse of an accompanying child."
DC Theatre Scene
"This adaptation breathes new life into a beloved classic about greed, betrayal, love, and hope with original music and lively Brazilian traditions."
DC Metro Theater Arts
"OLIVÉRio: A Brazilian Twist is a fun and inventive show that takes a classic and improves upon it as a tale for children."
DC Metro Theater Arts
Characters
- Casting: 3M, 4F
