By Maxey                                              H.R. No. 1010
         77R15680 MW-F                           
                                 R E S O L U T I O N
 1-1           WHEREAS, On May 1-20, 2001, Austin Musical Theatre is
 1-2     presenting Oliver!, a unique adaptation of Charles Dickens's novel
 1-3     Oliver Twist; and
 1-4           WHEREAS, The fastest-growing performing arts organization in
 1-5     Austin, Austin Musical Theatre was created in 1996 to bring the
 1-6     "Broadway Series" of performing arts to the city of Austin; and
 1-7           WHEREAS, Thrilling audiences with sold-out performances of
 1-8     West Side Story, Fiddler on the Roof, The Music Man, A Chorus Line,
 1-9     and Oklahoma!, among others, Austin Musical Theatre blends the
1-10     musical, acting, and artistic talents of Austin residents with the
1-11     top professional performers from Broadway and Los Angeles to create
1-12     a truly memorable experience; and
1-13           WHEREAS, Austin Musical Theatre offers opportunities for
1-14     children to learn the performing arts from notable performers and
1-15     actors through the Children's Summer Workshops, Junior Company, and
1-16     the Performing Arts Academy; and
1-17           WHEREAS, Under the guidance of the award-winning directing
1-18     team of Scott Thompson and Richard Byron, Austin Musical Theatre
1-19     has won numerous awards for its theatrical performances, and it
1-20     transforms the historic Paramount Theatre in Austin to a
1-21     state-of-the-art performance venue three times each year for major
1-22     productions; and
1-23           WHEREAS, Austin Musical Theatre's performance of Oliver!
1-24     combines the talents of 9-year-old child actor Alex Rollins and
 2-1     13-year-old Sean McGibbon with the world-class vocal and acting
 2-2     talents of Stephanie Block as Nancy, Tony Award nominee and
 2-3     Broadway leading man Martin Vidnovic as Bill Sykes, and the
 2-4     unforgettable Peter Kevoian from the original Broadway cast of
 2-5     Phantom of the Opera as Fagin; and
 2-6           WHEREAS, The 69-member cast is supported by an orchestra of
 2-7     Austin residents under the direction of talented New York music
 2-8     director Fred Barton and a set designed by one of the finest set
 2-9     designers in the Southwest, Austinite Christopher McCollum; and
2-10           WHEREAS, Austin Musical Theatre is an exciting addition to
2-11     the performing arts in the Capital City, and it is appropriate to
2-12     take this opportunity to congratulate all those associated with the
2-13     theatre for their many outstanding performances and programs; now,
2-14     therefore, be it
2-15           RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 77th Texas
2-16     Legislature hereby recognize the directing team of Scott Thompson
2-17     and Richard Byron and Austin Musical Theatre on the occasion of the
2-18     theatre's current production of Oliver! and for the success of the
2-19     Performing Arts Academy and the Junior Company; and, be it further
2-20           RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
2-21     prepared for Austin Musical Theatre, Scott Thompson, and Richard
2-22     Byron as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of
2-23     Representatives.