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Photograph courtesy of Leslie Hanlon

Glue Factory Twist: Orphans in the Glue Factory's production of 'Oliver!' inlude (from left) Ashim Ahuja, Meredith Miyake and David Danning. While most of the production company's shows feature Pioneer High School parents, teachers and alumni, this year's show will include 10 students.

Glue Factory puts 'twist' on Oliver production with student performers

By Anne Gelhaus

Some of the orphans in the Glue Factory's production of Oliver! may look as though they have more experience picking pockets than others.

As with all Glue Factory musicals, the cast of Oliver! is made up of parents of current and former Pioneer High School students, teachers and alumni, as well as community members. This year's show also features 10 Pioneer performing arts students, who will portray members of Fagin's pickpocket gang alongside some of the company's "smaller adults," according to director Steve Dini.

Now in its 10th year, the Glue Factory has staged an annual full-scale musical production as a benefit for Pioneer High's arts programs. Dini, who is also Pioneer's drama teacher, says it's a constant challenge to find shows with casts big enough to accommodate the Glue Factory's 50-plus members.

"We try to do a show we've done before with the students so we're familiar with the music and staging and already have a lot of the props," Dini says. "You start running out of big-scale shows, and I like to do new stuff every year. I don't like to do repeats, but sometimes with the Glue Factory, you have to."

Besides directing Oliver!, Dini is also playing Fagin, a role he says he enjoys for its over-the-top amorality.

"You don't have to tell me to chew the scenery," Dini adds. "I'm on a scenery diet."

To help balance his onstage and backstage work, Dini has turned over many of his directorial duties to assistant director Annette Stanger, whose two sons are Pioneer alumni.

"It's a little difficult directing and acting, too," Dini says. "It's really hard to see the big picture when I'm trying to play my part. I did it last year with 42nd Street and vowed I'd never do it again, but I get to play all the fun parts."

Having fun is a big part of the Glue Factory, whose members not only perform but also donate their time, money and materials to create costumes and sets. After 10 years, Dini says, company members are like family.

"I never thought it would last this long," he adds. "I figured we'd do it for two or three years then it would wane, but the same people come back year after year and we get new faces, too."

Dini estimates the Glue Factory shows, which often sell out, raise between $7,000 and $8,000 each year. These numbers were down a bit last year, he says, since the company had to stage its performances in the 200-seat Historic Hoover Theatre while the finishing touches were being put on Pioneer's new Performing Arts Center. Oliver! will be performed at the PAC, which seats up to 500.

For most Glue Factory members, Dini says, the company's annual musical is their only performance outlet.

"These people are really busy, but they set aside August through October for the Glue Factory show," Dini says. "It's been a good run."

The Glue Factory presents "Oliver!" Oct. 19-21, 7:30 p.m., at Pioneer High School Performing Arts Center, 1290 Blossom Hill Road, San Jose. Tickets are $15 adults and $5 students and seniors. For more information, call Leslie Hanlon at 408.927.0637.