By Terry Hannum
Anyone who has wondered what it would be like to live on the road, performing in front of hundreds of applauding people and having people ask for your autograph could ask Clark Oliver of Oneonta.
At age 11, Clark has already lived a lifetime of adventures, thanks to his talent and the support of his family and friends.
Last year, Daily Star readers learned about Clark's experience auditioning for Radio City Music Hall's Christmas show of "The Lion King." A year later, Clark is out of the jungle and in the doghouse. His latest role finds him sharing the stage with canine as well as human stars in the traveling Broadway musical production of "101 Dalmatians," presented by Troika Entertainment.
Clark was home in Oneonta during the weekend before hitting the road again for performances in Detroit, Dallas and Boston. His parents, Karen and Tom Oliver, own Palace Cigar in Oneonta, and Karen Oliver travels with Clark when he is on the road.
Life on the stage is not all glitz and glamour; for example, Clark said his days begin with four hours of school. There is no traditional classroom, and the teacher works with only eight students, including Clark.
"I like this school because the other students and I have a lot more in common and we each get plenty of attention even though we are at different levels," Clark said.
Karen Oliver added that when Clark is home in Oneonta, he is a natural early riser, but when he is on the road, performances end late, making it hard to settle down after that level of exhilaration. But, Karen Oliver said, "he adjusts his time really well."
Clark has found many good friends among the cast, including several young actors close to his age. Another friend, named Gracie, is one of the 15 dogs who appear onstage during the performance. Clark said the dogs travel in a specially modified bus that once transported the Jonas Brothers while they were on tour.
To get a role in "101 Dalmatians," Clark auditioned in June along with about 400 young boys and girls to play the part of a puppy; he was one of eight chosen for the roles. The singer and dancer has a lengthy resume of performances on larger stages and locally, including Orpheus Theatre and the Foothills Performing Arts Center.
Clark first took the stage with "101 Dalmatians" in October in Minneapolis, where a 25-city tour kicked off. The tour is scheduled to be completed in early summer after traveling to major cities throughout the United States. From April 6 through 25, the musical will entertain audiences in New York City at the WaMu Theater.
Karen Oliver said her son's classmates at Valleyview Elementary School in Oneonta are hoping to make the trip to the city for the show, and fundraising efforts are expected to start soon to make the trip possible. Clark recently visited his school with a scrapbook of photos and memorabilia he gathered to show his local classmates and teachers.
Clark laughed when asked what his "dream" stage opportunity would be.
"I get asked that question a lot, and usually I don't have an answer, but I will say that when I am older, my dream role would be to play the part of Claude in my very favorite musical, HAIR.' I've seen it five times, and I am pretty obsessed with it."
For more information about "101 Dalmatians the Musical," visit www.the101dalmatiansmusical.com.
