Review: OLIVER at Arena Stage - Stop the Presses...It's 2015 London!

What a time it is for musical theater mavens in the Baltimore/Washington area. Two occur in England. First there's the fabulous Lionel Bart musical OLIVER at Arena Stage, and then there's the wonderful THE SECRET GARDEN at Baltimore's Center Stage (to be reviewed). Finally, the Olney Theatre Center presents a superb GUYS AND DOLLS which takes place in New York City (to be reviewed).

Arena Stage...consider yourself a hit!!!!

When you walk into the Arena Stage theater in the round, the Fichandler, you immediately notice a huge catwalk hanging precariously from the theater roof. The steel bridge has four sections, each weighing a half-ton, and is 14 feet above the theater floor. It's a sight to behold.

Smith directs OLIVER and in the program describes why she updated the famous tale of "Oliver Twist". "One in 25 children and living on the streets of London today. The disparity between the rich and the poor is at its highest level since Dickens' time...For our production we take the spirit of Dickens and transplant it to today - taking the audience "under the bridge" in Todd Rosenthal's set design, which reminds what it is to live as the underclass."

Does it work? For those expecting the Dickens' Victorian setting like in A CHRISTMAS CAROL may be disappointed , I wasn't. But for those NEW to OLIVER, will just go with it. And the audience on opening night, did in fact go with it judging from the tumultuous applause throughout the show. I always love the sight of so many young people in attendance. (The show may not be appropriate for the "very" young.)

The costumes (cleverly done by Wade Laboissonniere) combinesmodern dress and the Victorian era and the set by Rosenthal does something similar, combining the eras.

Sound Designers Joshua Horvath and Ray Nardelli get you in the mood before the show even begins with music one could say was "contemporary funk".

Music Director Paul Sportelli and Smith had to get permission from the Lionel Bart Estate (he did the Music, Lyrics, and Book) to update some of the orchestrations. This was a yeoman's job and works very well. Some songs are left alone as it was done originally as in the Original Broadway Cast recording from 1962. (Buy the Broadway Deluxe Collector's Edition to hear some fascinating material from Music Director Donald Pippin.)

I was literally thrilled when I read that playing the key role of "Fagin" in OLIVER would be Jeff McCarthy, so memorable in the Broadway production of URINETOWN where he played "Officer Lockstock". I've been fortunate to see him in this role and his many times at fund raisers for "Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids events such as "The Easter Bonnet Competition" and "The Gypsy of The Year Competition".

I was not disappointed. Even though McCarthy doesn't appear until almost forty minutes into the show, once he does, he's magical. What a consummate performer.

(Read a nice interview with McCarthy by Jamie McGonnigal at the Broadwayworld website at /viewcolumn.php?colid=1166770.)

The show opens with the urchins about to have their meal. They are sitting on metal chairs with "Give Thanks" stenciled on the back. They are all wearing cargo shorts. For the opening number, "Food Glorious Food", each urchin uses their metal plate for banging on the table, throwing them like a Frisbee, and even making believe they were shooting a basketball. Yes, it's different. But it works. It's clever.

Yes, there is little "Oliver" played by the wonderful Jake Heston Miller, a nine-year old from Warrenton, VA. His blond hair reminded me of Dennis the Menace. He even has a cowlick. He's a joy to watch. When he says the famous line, "Please Sir, I want some more" you will melt. He faces the huge "Mr. Bumble" without fear. "Bumble" is played by Paul Vogt who I recall fondly in the Baltimore Symphony rendition of HAIRSPRAY playing Edna Turnblad a few years ago. Vogt sings "Oliver" along with Widow Corney (the terrific Rayanne Gonzales), and then they perform "I Shall Scream". Vogt then attempts to sell the urchin "Oliver" with "Boy For Sale". He is marvelous and they work togehter very well.

A song that did not make the film "That's Your Funeral" may be new to many. Vogt sings it with two funeral home workers Mr. and Mrs. Sowerberry (the wonderful pair, Tom Story and Dorea Schmidt) and the trio shines.

You will enjoy "Oliver" wondering about his future sleeping on a coffin singing "What Is Love".

He runs away from the funeral home and arrives at the Paddington Station tube stop and is met by "Jack Dawkins", known as the "Artful Dodger". Oliver learns a contemporary hand-shake and then the "Artful Dodger", the amazing Kyle Coffman (a superb dancer from the original Broadway Cast of NEWSIES) leaps all over the stage singing "Consider Yourself"...a tour de force! What a joy to watch. He is joined by the incredibly talented ensemble. Thank you Parker Esse for your energetic and terrific choreography. I loved the "new" orchestrations, very upbeat.

Finally, "Fagin" appears and McCarthy does a wondrous "Pick a Pocket or Two". Fagan even brings his urchins some Krispy Kreme Donuts.

Eleasha Gamble plays the female lead as Nancy (the urchins' mother figure) in what I consider her best role ever. What a voice. She's powerful when she needs to be and is delicate as well. She belts out "It's a Fine Life" (a funky rendition) and later is rapturous in the classic "As Long As He Needs Me".

"I'll Do Anything" is a delight sung by "Oliver" and the "Artful Dodger".

Fagin instructs his urchins to go forth and steal as much as they can with the wondrous "Be Back Soon".

"Oliver" is arrested in his unsuccessful attempt at thievery to end Act I.

Nancy and the ensemble almost blow off the roof with "Oom-Pah-Pah".

The creepy and evil "Bill Sykes" (Ian Lassiter") announces himself with "My Name".

Certainly a crowd pleaser is "Who Will Buy" by "Oliver".

Fagin's "Reviewing the Situation" is one of the many highlights of the evening.

Colin K. Bills did the wonderful lighting

Kudos to the superb 13 piece orchestra hidden under the stage with Paul Sportelli conducting.

Congratulations to Molly Smith for having the chutzpah of transferring this classic musical to contemporary times. Mission accomplished!

While many will want to bring their children, think twice before you do. It may not be appropriate for all children. Remember there is violence, a knifing, the selling of children, etc. But for mature children, they will love it and probably sing along with the soundtrack on your way home in your car. You can even buy the DVD at the theater for $20, the CD for $15 and the book for $10. Great that Arena Stage has these for sale.

For a view of the set, see Nelson Pressley's nice piece in the November 15 Washington Post entitled "Artistry of 'OLIVER'".

OLIVER runs until January 3, 2016. They even have two performances on Christmas Eve (at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.), New Year's Eve at noon and New Year's Day at 8 p.m.

For tickets, call 202-488-3300 or visit www.arenastage.org. Make sure to see their great study guide.

THIS AND THAT

DVR Alert:

FIRST YOU DREAM: THE MUSIC OF KANDER AND EBB...a concert tribute recorded at Signature Theatre directed by Eric Schaeffer (Nov. 20 on PBS).

On Saturday night, Nov. 21, the film WEST SIDE STORY (coming to the Signature Theatre on December 8, 2015 and running to January 24, 2016) on WETA at 9:30 p.m.

Saturday night, Nov. 28, JOSH GROBAN: STAGES: Josh Groban sings Broadway tunes at 10 p.m. on PBS.

CBS THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE

CBS will feature Broadway shows during its telecast of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade which will broadcast from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

In addition to performances from JERSEY BOYS and BEAUTIFUL, it will feature appearances by Wayne Brady (KINKY BOOTS), George Takei (ALLEGIANCE), and Renee Elise Goldsberry (HAMILTON).

MACY'S THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE ON NBC

Happy to report the shows on NBC during Macy's Parade:

SCHOOL OF ROCK

FIDDLER ON THE ROOF

KING AND I

ON YOUR FEET

SOMETHING ROTTEN

THE WIZ LIVE! (on NBC Dec. 3 at 8 p.m.)

FINDING NEVERLAND

cgshubow@broadwayworld.com