Grade: A
The Auburn Players Community Theatre concludes its 2008-2009 season with a true pick of a show: Lionel Bart's “Oliver!”, the musical adaptation of Charles Dickens' classic novel. Under the direction of Dia M. Carabajal, the cast of 60-plus skillfully tackles the musical's catchiest, quirkiest and most moving songs, such as “Oom Pah Pah,” “That's Your Funeral” and “It's a Fine Life.” Between numbers, the cast delicately balances the show's haunting conflicts with its naughty humor.
Zachary Driscoll plays Oliver, a 9-year-old orphan who dares to ask for more gruel of his workhouse caretaker, Mr. Bumble (Michael R. Nye). Driscoll spiritedly inhabits Dickens' iconic character and Nye plays Bumble with amusing vigor.
Appalled by the child's audacious request, Bumble arranges for Oliver to serve an undertaker, Mr. Sowerberry (a hysterically creepy Ed Beck). But when bully Noah Claypole (Paul Noga) besmirches Oliver's late mother, the young boy beats him down and escapes his enslavement to the Sowerberries in the ensuing ruckus.
On the run, Oliver meets the Artful Dodger (Joseph C. Townsend), who introduces the poor boy to a circle of pickpockets ordered about by the greedy Fagin (Thames Nolan). Townsend and Nolan each turn in charismatic performances that make their well-worn characters no less interesting than they originally were on Dickens' pages.
Oliver's odyssey into - and out of - Fagin's criminal enterprise also introduces the audience to Nancy, played by Krystal M. Scott, who propels numbers like “It's a Fine Life” and “As Long as He Needs Me” with soaring vocals. The dramatic weight of the second half of the show is tied to Nancy's relationship with her burglar boyfriend, the misogynous Bill Sykes (a superbly menacing Simon Moody).
The Players' stellar production of “Oliver” shines most in its costumes, especially the raggedy but refined garb of the Artful Dodger and Sykes. The detailed London backdrops and lighting design also set the mid-19th century street scene convincingly. Aside from a few rough patches in choreography, this season-ending show offers audiences more than enough satisfaction on the first helping.
David Wilcox
253-5311 ext. 245
david.wilcox@lee.net
If you go
What: “Oliver!”
When: 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, June 12 and 13; 2 p.m. Sunday, June 14
Where: Irene Bisgrove Theater, Cayuga Community College, 197 Franklin St., Auburn
Cost: $14 adults, $12 seniors/students, $7 children 12 and younger
Info: Call 258-8275
Zachary Driscoll plays Oliver, a 9-year-old orphan who dares to ask for more gruel of his workhouse caretaker, Mr. Bumble (Michael R. Nye). Driscoll spiritedly inhabits Dickens' iconic character and Nye plays Bumble with amusing vigor.
Appalled by the child's audacious request, Bumble arranges for Oliver to serve an undertaker, Mr. Sowerberry (a hysterically creepy Ed Beck). But when bully Noah Claypole (Paul Noga) besmirches Oliver's late mother, the young boy beats him down and escapes his enslavement to the Sowerberries in the ensuing ruckus.
On the run, Oliver meets the Artful Dodger (Joseph C. Townsend), who introduces the poor boy to a circle of pickpockets ordered about by the greedy Fagin (Thames Nolan). Townsend and Nolan each turn in charismatic performances that make their well-worn characters no less interesting than they originally were on Dickens' pages.
Oliver's odyssey into - and out of - Fagin's criminal enterprise also introduces the audience to Nancy, played by Krystal M. Scott, who propels numbers like “It's a Fine Life” and “As Long as He Needs Me” with soaring vocals. The dramatic weight of the second half of the show is tied to Nancy's relationship with her burglar boyfriend, the misogynous Bill Sykes (a superbly menacing Simon Moody).
The Players' stellar production of “Oliver” shines most in its costumes, especially the raggedy but refined garb of the Artful Dodger and Sykes. The detailed London backdrops and lighting design also set the mid-19th century street scene convincingly. Aside from a few rough patches in choreography, this season-ending show offers audiences more than enough satisfaction on the first helping.
David Wilcox
253-5311 ext. 245
david.wilcox@lee.net
If you go
What: “Oliver!”
When: 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, June 12 and 13; 2 p.m. Sunday, June 14
Where: Irene Bisgrove Theater, Cayuga Community College, 197 Franklin St., Auburn
Cost: $14 adults, $12 seniors/students, $7 children 12 and younger
Info: Call 258-8275
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