Claire vg rocks Oliver!
by Christopher Key
Audiences will no doubt consider themselves at home as the
Lynden Performing Arts Guild opens the beloved musical Oliver! this week. Based on
the classic novel by Charles Dickens,
Lionel Bart wrote the book, music and lyrics, prettifying it
more than a bit for the stage. It opened
in London’s West End in 1960 and went on to a long run on Broadway before
becoming one of the most popular musicals for community theatre.
Directors Ruth Posthuma and Tina Miller understand that when
you put a couple of dozen adorable kids onstage, you’re guaranteed full
houses. That helps make up for a
backstage scene that probably resembles a change of government in a banana
republic. Add a plethora of stagehands
manipulating a complex set and it’s a wonder the directors aren’t in an
assisted living facility. Permanently. The real magic of theatre is that an actual
show emerges from such chaos and, in this case, it’s a winner.
The title role is double-cast. I saw Sagelynn Dennison in the role on
preview night and she’s about as good as it gets. Invincibly innocent and with a sweet voice,
Dennison does exactly what she’s supposed to do: steal the show from the
adults. Sarah Hoekema will play the role
in alternating performances.
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| Sagelynn Dennison and Allison Visser play Oliver and the Artful Dodger in LPAG's production of Oliver! Photo credit - Christopher Key |
As usual in community theatre, a lot more girls auditioned
than boys and some of them ended up in male roles. This is not a bad thing. Allison Visser, who plays the Artful Dodger,
does so with a confident stage presence far beyond her years.
Playwright Bart, for better or worse, doesn’t give the kids
much stage time. For which the adult
actors are immensely grateful. Oliver! offers some of the best roles in
musical theatre for the big kids and they take full advantage.
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| Amy Keiper plays Nancy. Photo credit - Christopher Key |
Amy Keiper is notable both for portraying an iconic battered
woman and for her professional-level singing voice. Her abuser, Bill Sykes, is played by 16-year-old
Gabe Adams, who is not only genuinely frightening, but comes across as a much
older actor and steals most of the scenes he’s in.
The role of Fagin is one of the places where Bart Bowdlerized
Dickens. Be that as it may, Leif
Egertson plays him with gusto as a charming rogue rather than an evil
villain. Larry Phlaum personifies Mr.
Bumble and the inimitable Carol May is, literally, a scream as Widow Corney.
This production offers more delights than I have room to
enumerate and among them are the technical magicians. Musical Director Celeste Larson leads a
whimsical orchestra that perfectly backs the singers. That Byzantine set I mentioned earlier is the
work of designers Wayne Vogel and Chris Jones and the set changes are as much
fun to watch as the show itself.
LPAG president Susan Duncan and Ashlie Blaske have the kids
dancing like pros and Child Wrangler Karin Hoekema should probably get a bow at
the curtain call. Gavin Wynne is
responsible for the moody lighting design which is, unfortunately, difficult
for photographers and why you’re not seeing more visuals.
Ann Balfour, one of the true props geniuses in local
theatre, has spread her wings into the costuming aerodrome and proves herself
equally brilliant.
Oliver! plays May
5 – 22 at the Claire vg Thomas Theatre, 655 Front Street in Lynden. The box office is open 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.
Tuesday – Friday at (360) 354-4425.
Tickets may also be purchased online at www.brownpapertickets.com.
I trust you appreciate that I never once said, “This is a
Dickens of a show!”
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