Post Falls fifth-grader lands leading role in first play
<p>Post Falls 10-year-old Hudson Drake sings during a scene in “Oliver!” in which he plays the titular character. Hudson was cast in the leading role after impressing directors at his audition. It’s his very first theatrical experience.</p>
<p>Cast members of Spokane Valley Summer Theatre's production of "Oliver!" lift Hudson Drake, 10, of Post Falls, into the air. Hudson's big role as Oliver is also his acting debut.</p>
POST FALLS — Not many kids get to brag about being cast in a starring role after their very first audition.
But Post Falls 10-year-old Hudson Drake made such an impression on directors when he accompanied himself on the piano that it was a no-brainer to make him the star of Spokane Valley Summer Theatre's production of "Oliver!"
"It was really neat when he auditioned for us," Spokane Valley Summer Theatre managing director Dalen Gunn said Thursday. "He rocked some tunes on the piano. He's a very talented young man."
Hudson, an incoming North Idaho STEM Charter Academy fifth-grader, said he was surprised to be cast as the lead because he was originally auditioning for a smaller role as an orphan.
"When I went in, they thought that I forgot my music so that the pianist could play for me, and they thought, 'Oh, we'll do 'Happy Birthday' or something,'" said Hudson, who has been playing the piano since he was 5. "Then I told them I wanted to accompany myself."
He performed two songs for the directors, who called him back and had him perform one more. Then they called again with the request that he play the titular role.
"I felt pretty excited and I felt astonished," he said. "It was very cool."
"Oliver!" is based on Charles Dickens' Victorian England classic novel, "Oliver Twist," and was adapted into a theatrical production by Lionel Bart. As described on the theater's website, "Oliver is tossed between the upper class, working class and lower class as he longs for a place to call home. Colorful characters try to mold him to fit their agenda while others express genuine care and love for him."
Hudson is getting his first taste of acting in a breakout role in a professional production, rather than a children's play, and it's also a musical with song-and-dance numbers and musicians playing live throughout the show.
"I've made very good friends, most of them are adults and they have the most beautiful voices that I have ever heard," Hudson said. "The music director helps me with my song and my tempo and he corrects me when I’m wrong and he is a very nice guy."
Hudson's brothers, Brenner, 12, and Asher, 8, also have parts in "Oliver!"
"They are absolutely loving it and they love their own roles. We are very thankful to the Lord for this opportunity and the directors," said their mom, Jennifer. "It's really humbling, very humbling, and this is a fun show for them. It's a good classic."
"Oliver!" runs for three more shows: tonight and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets are $34 for adults, $32 for seniors and military and $22 for students.
Tickets can be bought online at www.svsummertheatre.com, in person at the theater an hour before curtain or by calling the box office at (509) 368-7897.
Spokane Valley Summer Theatre is located in the Central Valley High School Performing Arts Center at 821 S. Sullivan Road.
"I actually love acting," Hudson said. "I'm really thankful and I'm really blessed to be in this play. I am so excited for the years to come when I get to do this with new friends and new people."