Berkeley Rep Presents Oliver Twist May 11 - June 24
by Eugene Lovendusky
- May 8, 2007
Berkeley Repertory Theatre ends its 2006/07 Season with a dark and delightful new adaptation of Charles Dickens' 'Oliver Twist' staged by one of Britain's most innovative theatre artists, beginning previews in the Roda Theatre on May 11, opens May 16, and closes June 24.
ART's 'Oliver Twist' puts new twist on Dickens' tale
by Katie Schick
- Feb 23, 2007
The most difficult aspect of dramatizing a well-known and well-loved work of literature is finding the correct balance between maintaining the integrity of the original work and adding elements to justify the adaptation. The recent Broadway revival of A Chorus Line was criticized for being a carbon copy of the original production, while the short-lived, musicalized version of The Wedding Singer film was criticized for changing key plot points. How, then, can an adaptation to the stage do justice to the original work as well as bring the material to life in a new and innovative way?
Neil Bartlett seems to know the secret. In his adaptation of 'Oliver Twist,' the classic novel by Charles Dickens, Bartlett captures the dark, dank world of the young orphan in a way that Lionel Bart's musical Oliver! fails to do. There are no upbeat songs about 'Oom-Pah-Pah!' or considering yourself part of the family; Bartlett's Oliver Twist is no musical comedy.
LuPone, Gertner, Etc. Among IRNE Nominees
by BWW News Desk
- Feb 5, 2007
Patti LuPone and The 25th Annual Putnam Spelling Bee stars Jared Gertner and Jenni Barber are among the nominees of the 2006 Independent Reviewers of New England's (IRNE) Awards.
ART Scores A Hit With 'The Onion Cellar'
by Olena Ripnick
- Dec 19, 2006
Is it a play? A rock musical? A cabaret? A series of overlapping vignettes set to a Dresden Dolls score? A performance piece? I'm not quite sure what to call The Onion Cellar, but I do know that I absolutely loved every minute of it...
'Three Sisters' is Classic Chekhov
by Olena Ripnick
- Dec 3, 2005
You can love a Chekhov play or hate it, but like a fine wine or a particularly poor 'American Idol' contestant, you just can't tear yourself away. The addictive properties of a Chekhov are such that once you begin, there's no turning back, and for better or for worse, this is clearly the case with the American Repertory Theatre's production of 'Three Sisters'...
