Oliver Parker!, New Play Starring John Larroquette, Gets a Name Change

The previously announced off-Broadway comedy Oliver!, written by Elizabeth Meriwether and starring John Larroquette, Johanna Day, Monica Raymund and Michael Zegen, will now be called Oliver Parker! No reason was given for the change, but Oliver! (complete with exclamation mark) is already extremely famous as the title of the 1963 musical based on Dickens’ novel Oliver Twist. Presented by the stageFARM, Oliver Parker! will begin previews on May 9 and open on May 17 at the Cherry Lane Theatre, directed by Evan Cabnet.

Described as a black comedy about hurting the ones you love and loving the ones that hurt, Oliver Parker! centers on the title character (Zegen), who is 17 and his best friend Jasper (Larroquette), who is 60. Oliver wants to get laid, and Jasper wants to help. Jasper wants to drink himself to death, and Oliver wants to save him. And they share a secret that could ruin them both... if it hasn't already.