Valley Youth Theatre's current production of the cute-though-thin 1963 Lionel Bart musical, Oliver! is filled to the rafters with a cast of 52, including a majority of exuberant children, each getting their moment to shine on the Herberger Theater's Center Stage. Director Bobb Cooper and Choreographer Robert L. Harper have taken this teeming mass and plugged them into the song-filled tale of an orphaned boy's travels through Victorian England. Ordinarily, a group this large might become more of a traffic problem than an ensemble situation, but both are able not only to keep everyone in line and in their places, but also manages to get some rather impressive moments from them musically, choreographically, and textually. While there are rough moments in the show, especially technically, this is an enjoyable retelling of this famous piece.
While those who have read the novel may see it as a necessarily Cliff Notes retelling, Mr. Bart has fashioned a musical around such memorable characters as Oliver Twist, The Artful Dodger, Fagin, Nancy, and the dastardly Bill Sykes. Oliver moves from orphanage to undertaker's parlor to the criminal underworld of London and finally to his rightful place with a myriad of misadventures along the way.
Mr. Cooper has added several inventive directorial touches into the piece, including the surprise reappearance of the funereal Sowerberry's in the second act. He has drawn some great performances from adults and children alike, and brought together some impressive singing and dancing talent. Mr. Harper has created several wonderful dances for the piece, highlighted by his showstopping opening, "Food, Glorious Food." Music Director and Conductor Mark Fearey commandingly leads the large and professional-sounding orchestra.
And, as is the case with most productions of Oliver! that I've seen, Tyler Smalley as The Artful Dodger picks the show out of Oliver's (Anthony Jackson) pocket. The problem is just as much textual as it is performance. The Artful Dodger is such a fun character, and does much more than has done to him, it's hard not to have him outshine the sweeter, more dour center of the show. Mr. Smalley sings with aplomb, handles his dancing well, and exudes stage presence. Mr. Jackson is prerequisitely sweet and endearing, but so much more happens to him than he actually initiates, it's almost like his character is more a narrator than a star.
As the featured star of the show, Equity-contracted John Sankovich plays the character of Fagin with a strong emphasis on the first three letters of his name. He imbues Fagin with more foppishness than Jewishness, and this strong choice is unexpected and can be ironically quite entertaining. His mincing fear of the ominous Bill Sykes, played in a lower-key by Dion Johnson, is funny. Doomed enabler Nancy is impressively sung by Beth Anne Johnson, who could use just a smidge more grittiness for her character, especially in "It's a Fine Life." When she takes center stage for her solos, though, her strong, expressive voice is her greatest calling card. Chelsea Cannon does a fine turn as Nancy's sidekick Bet. Enjoyable are Jere Van Patten and Nikki L. Hodgen as Mr. Bumble and the Widow Corney, and Ms. Hodgen's voice is very impressive. Solid work comes from Rick Shipman as Mr. Brownlow and Emily Stone as Charlotte. Michael Margetis plays up his role as the confrontational Noah. The only disappointing performances of the evening come from the musically-maladjusted Jim Landua as Mr. Sowerberry, and the shrill Carrie Oliver as his wife.
Enough can't be said of the Adult Ensemble, the Children's Ensemble, and Fagin's Boys. The sweet "Who Will Buy?" is lead by the strong-voiced Tracie Holmes, Javier Lopez, Brian Madden, Tyler Olshansky, and Jennifer Temen, who guide the Adult Ensemble through one of it's most beautiful numbers. The Children's Ensemble is at their enjoyable best in "Food, Glorious Food," singing and dancing like professionals. Fagin's Boys are a corrupt and enjoyable lot, singing and mugging their way through "You've Got to Pick a Pocket or Two."
Michael Eddy is beginning to become his own best competition, as he creates yet another impressive lighting design that includes this really cool, subtle effect at the first entrances of the show. Deb Park should be given a good, long vacation for effectively costuming a small towns-worth of cast members. Dave Temby's sound design is generally solid. The behemoth set provided by Wright Concept & Design looks like it's been through several dozen productions of this piece, but it also has its nice little touches.
As a piece for the education and presentation of young talent, Mr. Cooper is to be commended. The chance to work on a Youth Theatre production that aims for professional standards is an opportunity I wish I had been given when younger. This is an enjoyable production in the here-and-now that may benefit our theatre for decades to come.
Production Details:
Oliver! Book, Music and Lyrics
by Lionel Bart
Valley Youth Theatre
The Herberger Theater Center, Phoenix (For a
map to location, click this
link)
(602) 252-8497
June 8th - 24th, 2001