For $1 consider yourself at a musical, consider yourself part of the audience, when the Mineola Middle School presents the musical Oliver on Thursday, March 5 at 7:30 p.m. at the Middle School.

Actor James Katz explained that the story begins with a boy named Oliver, played by Eddie Kaiser, who leaves an orphanage and winds up on the streets as a member of a group of young pickpocketers under the tutelage of a thief named Fagan.

Bridgette Wiley plays one of the pickpockets by the name of the Artful Dodger and Matt Shanahan plays Fagan. This is both their first year performing with the Middle School's thespians, which in itself has only been in existence for two years.

The program is helmed by Karen Carraro, an English and history teacher at the Middle School. For Carraro the play program is perhaps the most important program that the Mineola Middle School has to offer.

According to the director, it teaches the students composure, confidence, dedication, commitment and to sometimes take risks.

The students also learn the art of stage acting, including voice projection, proper enunciation and other acting techniques.

One particular day's rehearsal, about a week before the performers take to the stage, began at 2:30 p.m. and was wound up around 5 p.m. The closer the show the later the rehearsal lasted.

Susan Hahn plays Oliver's grandmother and explained the importance of the rehearsals as necessary for improvements in the performance. How does she take criticism, "You have got to roll with the punches," she advised.

Already in character Wiley dons a cap and Shanahan, dressed in a trench coat, fiddles with a pocketful of watches. "Normally we do not dress like this," explained Sarah McKeever who plays Nancy as she searches for a paper clip to fasten her costume.

McKeever has performed with the Nutcracker Suite with the Eglevsky Ballet explained she was drawn to the play because she loves the spotlight.

And what of the others. "I like being up there on stage," reasoned Wiley as to her participation. And what brought Shanahan to Oliver, "Kind of just the wind," he replied, "I blew in one day."

Another important aspect of the performance is the music, and violinist Filomena Palumbo said that she enjoys most the combined efforts of her and her fellow musicians along with the actor's voices.

Answering every question posed to her, Carraro's eyes are trained on her performers, writing notes and applauding at the end of a scene.

"Last year was a perfect show," commented Carraro using the criteria of the children's involvement, "I think the same will happen this year."

The director has the students, 60 of whom auditioned for the play, involved in many aspects of the production including on stage actors and behind the scenes stage crew.

She said she listens to their input, which grows steadily as they continually practice. In fact it was the students who requested a musical, and Carraro searched for a work to which her students could relate.

For Oliver, Carraro took a narrated script and rewrote it for her actors. This difficult task is accomplished because she admittedly loves to do it. She added the pride she feels in her students is worth all the work it takes to put a show together.

With all the work they put into the show, Carraro reminds everyone of the tremendous fun the children can have singing, dancing and socializing. "Who doesn't like to play make believe," she said.

Keeping a tight budget, Carraro uses ingenuity to produce the best show possible for the least amount of money. This along with the shining performance of her students has led to praise from the school district.

Though very involved in the proceedings herself, Carraro shares the praise with those who work with her.

The director credits parent Vivian Rose and fellow teachers Donald Carreras, Harold Watson, Tracey Campbell and the support of Principal Fern Moscowitz, Assistant Principal Mark Barth and Performing and Fine Arts Director Rob Ratner.

"It is really nice to have teachers and students working together," commented the director.

Working together the members of the Middle School family have brought to life a classic work of literature, that is for all to see on Thursday, March 5 beginning at 7:30 p.m. in the Mineola Middle School, 200 Emory Road in Mineola.