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“We want some more!” was the cheer from audiences after witnessing this year’s highly anticipated senior musical production, Oliver!

A pioneering production for CCGS Performing Arts, the musical featured not only the biggest cast but also the youngest lead in senior production history.

Director of Performing Arts, Lee Fleming said that a production of Oliver has always been on his ‘to stage’ list, and that now was the right time to bring it to the CCGS stage.

“With growing student numbers in our school community, it felt like the perfect show to demonstrate our youthful talent in middle school, alongside the excellence already embedded in our senior school.

“In fact, the lead role of Oliver was played by 13 year old, Year 7 student, Nicholas Moroney. Never before has someone so young been cast as the lead role in the senior production; evidence of the breadth and depth of talent coming up in the school,” Mr Fleming said.

A record number of students were involved in bringing the classic tale of Oliver Twist to life, including over 125 students on stage and another 40 students in the orchestra or backstage.

“We wanted to involve all students who expressed an interest in the production to take part, and it was great to see how this challenged students and encouraged them to form new friendships and make life-long memories across different year groups.

“While the number of students posed some challenges - from the almost herculean task of costume and set design, to the logistics of music and choreography - it also brought a collaborative spirit, camaraderie and energy on stage, unlike anything we’ve seen before.

“Some of our larger music items such ‘Consider Yourself’ and ‘Who Will Buy’ had over 95 students performing on stage at the same time; the vibrancy and electrifying atmosphere it created was incredibly special,” Mr Fleming said.

The pre-show buzz was heightened by an interview with the cast on ABC Central Coast radio where Kasey Barnes, who played Nancy, blew everyone away with a powerful rendition of ‘As Long as He Needs Me’ live on air.

In what proved to be the hottest seats in town, in excess of 1900 tickets were sold over the three nights, including a complete sell out of the Performing Arts Centre auditorium on the Saturday night.