BWW Preview: OLIVER! Begins New Era

Back in the 1960's there were really only two theatres in the Birmingham area. Town and Gown at what was then called The Little Theatre (and is now the Virginia Samford Theatre) directed by James Hatcher and Center Players at the Jewish Community Center led by Irving Stern. Many a young talent began their career in one of these two theatres.

Over the years the Jewish Community Center Theatre has changed several times. Now called Theatre LJCC, this group has again made a change in the hiring of Ellise Mayor this summer as their artistic director. And her first production was already scheduled for her when she took the job.

OLIVER! The Musical is a classic that presented many challenges for Ms. Mayor, but she has considered it an adventure. This is the first musical of this kind that the LJCC has attempted in a while, so the first challenge was finding a cast and crew to put on the show. Ms. Mayor was able to find some very talented people including a dozen children, many of whom have not sung in public before.

She was also able to convince Mavis Bierd to step out of retirement and work her magic on stage again. Having been one of those young actors who worked with Irving Stern back in the day, Ms. Bierd was an exciting addition to the cast.

Being a new group, I decided to attend a rehearsal and see what was happening at the LJCC. The performance space was full of kids running and laughing, as well as people scurrying everywhere, preparing for a dress rehearsal over a week before opening night.

Andrew Robertson, the small boy who plays the title role is perfectly cast and when he sang it was some of the sweetest sounds I've heard in a while. His father, Mark, is also participating as Mr. Sowerberry. Bringing families together to try their hand at performing is what community theatre at its purest form is all about.

Jesse Bates as Fagin and Kat Hosford as Nancy, were two other performers that really stood out to me during the rehearsal. Several times during the first act I saw them subtly help to steer one of the younger performers to the right spot. But it was only a couple of times, which any performer can tell you is amazing with such a large group of first time performers AND a week out from opening. I was very impressed with the whole group.

With a large cast and small budget, Ms. Mayor has done what any good director would do, she has gotten creative. Using the ample stage, as well as the floor space below it, she has made the staging interesting and is constantly moving from the world of the "well off" on stage, to the land of the poor on the floor below. With such a flexible space, Ms. Mayor is taking full advantage.

Overall, I see great potential for a theatre group that plans to find its niche using child performers for kid oriented plays. While OLIVER! includes many adults and has a more serious story than some of their productions will, it is a great kick off of this new era at LJCC. I am truly looking forward to seeing the finished production tonight. I know how much a show can grow and change in that last week of rehearsal.

Theatre LJCC is giving opportunities to young actors and giving a new generation a chance to learn the appreciation of theatre on their own terms. It is a great idea.

OLIVER! will run tonight through November 22 with shows on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. The times are kind of all over the place so contact LJCC at 205-879-0411 or at www.bhamjcc.org for exact times and ticket information.