Oliver

This past weekend I took the boys to Clarksville to see my nephew Ethan (shown here in partial costume and make-up before the show) perform as Orphan 9 in Oliver! My father asked me to write a review of the musical for his monthly Family News. So here is my attempt:

Believe it or not, I have never read Oliver Twist, seen the musical Oliver!, and so was not familiar with the story line. Ethan was cast in the children's chorus and participated in the opening number, Food, Glorious Food. It was a strong, well sung and choreographed piece and sounded somewhat familiar to me. Ethan was center stage and sang his heart out. Even though a bigger girl attempted to push him off his bench, he didn't miss a beat. When he lined up to get his gruel, I felt his hunger pangs radiate out into the audience. I couldn't understand all the words to the song, but the sheer volume of the voices of the un-miked children absolutely blew me away. Oliver later sings a beautiful and touching soprano on Where is Love?

Other actors such as Oliver and Mr. Bumble (a giant of a man) then took over before we saw Ethan again. Yes, they did a fine job portraying how Oliver was sold to the undertaker before escaping and meeting up with the cunning and Artful Dodger. Ethan then returned to stage for the encore of Consider Yourself. This song should be familiar to almost anyone with rudimentary awareness of popular culture. However, it helps to remember that Ethan was placed on London Bridge in this scene. One is easily distracted with the other children juggling, doing cartwheels and toe touches in front. A strong rumor has it that Ethan tried out with better toe touches than the girl who got the bit.

The first act concluded with the delightful Pick a Pocket or Two in the Thieves Kitchen. Let me add here, the set was solid, versatile and scene transitions were quick and seamless, a definite plus in the two and a half hour production. The musical accompaniment was an electric piano, skillfully handled by Robert Lee (yes, we were in the south but this was not the Confederate General to my knowledge). When Oliver goes out to pick his first pocket he is caught by a gentleman who later becomes central to the story.

The second act began with a tavern scene and the buxom Nancy, whom we later found out was only a junior in high school. Her well developed alto voice was the best in the show, and the men enjoyed simply watching her breathe. Although I suppose appropriate for the time, I didn't favor the alcohol consumption and domestic violence overtones in the show.

When Oliver is sent out on an errand as a kind of test, the clever Nancy steals him away, and he finds himself back in the Theives Kitchen. Most of the cast including Ethan join in on Who Will Buy. It is a beautiful 4-part round type of singing between the rose and strawberry seller, milkmaid and the knife grinder, and Ethan turns in another strong performance with his ad-libbed apple tossing.

After a few plot turns, Oliver finds the loving family of his dreams, and Ethan returns in the chorus at the conclusion of the show, leading a string of children out on stage. Eli was impressed with Ethan's ability to come in on the right cues and make a small part his own. Cal enjoyed the murder scene.

We all agreed that Clarksville Little Theater and Ethan in particular did a tremendous job with the challenging Oliver!