Reviewed by Judy Richter
Staging "Oliver!" calls for a certain amount
of ambition because of the challenges presented by Lionel Bart's 1960 musical adaptation of Charles
Dickens' novel
"Oliver Twist."
One
challenge is that all the scene changes might interrupt the dramatic flow. Thanks
to an adaptable set designed by Jerald Enos, Broadway By the Bay minimizes the lapses. Still, this
production directed by Jeffrey Bracco can feel episodic.
Another
challenge is that the show requires many children. BBB succeeds on this count
because most of the youngsters are somewhat older than one might expect. Hence
the opening scene, "Food, Glorious Food," at the London workhouse
gets the show off to a good start.
Oliver
Twist, the orphaned title character, is played by 12-year-old Shayan Hooshmand, who does a good job, starting
with his memorable opening line, "Please, sir, I want some more," as
he tries to get another helping of the gruel served by the workhouse caretaker,
Mr. Bumble (Robert Sholty). He also does well in his primary song, "Where
Is Love?"
Later,
he joins in on the show's most successful song, "Who Will Buy?" which starts with five
street vendors in haunting counterpoint and ends in a full-fledged production
number, well choreographed by Pauline Kanter.
Other
musical aspects are more mixed. Part of the problem is that Jon Hayward's sound design is too loud and
tends to distort higher notes. Another is that some principals mistake volume
for emotion. Understanding the Cockney accents can be a problem.
Then
there's intonation, especially in "My Name," sung by the show's
villain, Bill Sykes (Rich Matli). Musical director Samuel Cisneros's orchestra also has iintonation
issues.
Back
on the plus side is Ryan Mardesich as The Artful Dodger, who finds the runaway Oliver on the
streets and takes him to Fagin, who harbors children and teaches them how to
pick pockets. Fagin is winningly played by Jef Valentine, who has fun with "Pick
a Pocket or Two"
and "Reviewing the Situation."
Dickens
wrote "Oliver Twist" as a way to expose how cruelly and thoughtlessly
orphans were treated in Victorian England. The musical softens some of those
edges, but the basic idea is still there.
After
Oliver has the courage to ask for more gruel, Bumble sells him to an
undertaker, but Oliver runs away from there after getting into a fight. That's
when The Artful Dodger finds him. Oliver has more adventures after that, and
the story ends on both unhappy and happy notes -- unhappy for Nancy (Amie
Shapiro), Bill's
girlfriend, and happy for Oliver, who wind up with his grandfather, Mr.
Brownlow (Ron Dritz).
This
production of "Oliver" represents a milestone for BBB because it's
the first in the company's long history to use local designers, artistic
director Amanda Folena told the opening night audience. Besides the set by Enos, the
realistic period costumes are by Margaret Toomey, who also serves as production
manager. BBB has rented sets and costumes in the past.
Despite
its shortcomings, the opening night production had enough pluses that it
received an enthusiastic reception from the audience. It also served as a good
introduction for those who have never seen this musical or its 1968 film.