By Michelle Moore
Oliver!, presented by the Ziegfeld Theater Company at the Egyptian Theater in Park City, is a classic story told beautifully by a talented cast. The musical was written by Lionel Bart and based on Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens. We are introduced to Oliver (Declan Mcalhany) as an orphan in the first scene. As Oliver and his orphan friends belt “Food, Glorious Food” their energy is tangible. It’s remarkable to see children and young teens holding their own on the stage.
Speaking of the stage, The Egyptian Theater space feels intimate and the simple set design by Johnathan Tucker allows the audience to focus more on the characters and their story telling. Lighting effects by Kalie Pead, mostly projected images on the backdrop and set pieces create the setting of the orphanage/ workhouse, the town, storefronts, and the city of London.
Mr. Bumble (Jerry Costner, Jr.) and Widow Corney (Abby Payne-Peterson) make a delightful and flirtatious pair as they manage the orphans at the workhouse and playfully sing “I Shall Scream” while they have a moment alone. I’ve seen Oliver! one other time- on the West End during one of its successful revivals in 2010- and I appreciated that this particular number was kept a bit more “family friendly”. Costner has just the right amount of darkness and anger to his character as he hauls Oliver off to town to sell him.
Here Oliver meets Mr. and Mrs. Sowerberry (David Boice and Kristin Parry), the undertakers who take Oliver in. They sing “That’s Your Funeral” and set Oliver up for a rather grim future if he is to stay with them. Boice has a lovely voice and while it has the grovel and darkness the character requires, he still soars easily through the melody. Parry speaks with one of the most clear accents in the whole cast (British accents plus rapid speech often makes actors difficult to understand). Her singing is boisterous and full of character. It’s fabulous to see her in Act II play the exact opposite kind of character as Mrs. Bedwin who lovingly takes Oliver in and reprises “Where is Love”. You almost don’t recognize that she is the same actress.
Once alone in the orphanage, young Oliver is faced with his grim future living with the undertaker. He sings “Where is Love” and holds the stage all to himself. Mcalhany does not disappoint and I appreciated his sincere and tender approach to the song and the character as a whole. The character is supposed to be around 11 years old and, I don’t know about you but, I don’t often hear 11-year-old boys running around singing about the love of their mothers. So, ladies, grab your tissues for this one.
When we meet Fagin (Randy Barton), the Artful Dodger (Brogan Wright), and the rest of Fagin’s gang the stage is once again electric with energy. The kids hold their own with “Consider Yourself” and entertain the audience with some delightful and energetic choreography by Bryan Andrews. Andrews does an impressive job with this cast of youngsters with likely a wide range of training and ability. He puts together movement that fits, while a bit kitschy at times (ie. Flexing muscles while singing the word “strong), the ensemble’s ability, the space on the stage, and the telling of the story. Wright is a strong vocalist and truly feels like the “leader of the gang”. I did have some trouble understanding his dialogue which could have been due to the jitters of opening night at the Egyptian Theater venue.
Barton is a standout among the leads. His interpretation of Fagin is brilliant- he’s funny, charismatic, greedy, and playful. Barton’s Fagin is the right balance of darkness and light; generosity and greed. A favorite scene is where he brings out his treasures while his gang is sleeping nearby. He’s been hiding away the best things they bring him and keeping them for himself as a retirement plan. However, he’s almost giddy and childlike as he enjoys them while he thinks nobody is watching. He’s a seasoned performer and it shows. If you go for any reason, go to see this man shine on stage. Bravo.
Nancy (Erica Choffel) and her friend Bet (Rebecca Stephens) lighten the mood even more with “It’s a Fine Life” and “I’d Do Anything”. Again, the ensemble of kids do an excellent job with the choreography and energy in these numbers. There’s some partnering and a very believable joy coming from each of the characters and their relationships. A stand out from the ensemble is Mary Peterson who plays Charlie, one of Fagin’s “favorite” pickpockets. She brings 100% full out energy from the moment she steps onstage until the moment she takes her final bow.
In the beginning of Act II we meet Bill Sikes (Tyson Allred), Nancy’s significant other. He’s clearly a threat to most everyone in town, including Nancy. Allred is well cast in the role not only because of his stature but also because his booming voice. His lower register notes are delicious and very full sounding.
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Now, to discuss Choffel. Next to Barton, allow seeing Choffel’s performance of “As Long as He Needs Me” incentivize you to get out and see this show. She sings with so much passion and vocal stamina. Nancy has a complicated relationship with her life- she believes she has a “fine life” while recognizing that Bill could take that all away from her in a moment. Choffel does a beautiful job of showing us this throughout the song.
“Who Will Buy” with Oliver and the chorus is an impressive number. Boice returns as the knife grinder. Payne-Peterson returns as the milk seller. Gage Reese returns (previously on stage as Noah Claypole) as the strawberry seller. Kelsie Reynolds returns as the rose seller (previously on stage as Old Sally). This is a complex song with unusual melodies and each soloist winds up singing in a round putting together an impressive chorus. Payne-Peterson truly shows her vocal prowess and is a stand out in the number. Her high notes soar with ease.
Near the end of the show, Nancy reprises “As Long As He Needs Me” where she affirms her unfortunate devotion to Bill Sikes. She attempts to rescue Oliver and suffers unfortunate consequences. As a warning to younger audiences, this scene is intense and violent.
Oliver is welcomed into the arms of the benevolent Mr. Brownlow (Andrew Cole) who plays the sincerely benevolent aristocrat well. We are treated to his singing a few times throughout the show but he truly shines through his concern for young Oliver- whom he just knows as a boy who pickpocketed him.
To find out what happens to Oliver, buy tickets to see this timeless tale of power, greed, love, and the classic struggle between good and evil. Oliver! in Park City is worth it–an excellent show for tweens and up.
Ziegfeld Theater Company presents Oliver! Book, Lyrics, and Music by Lionel Bart
Egyptian Theater, 328 Main Street, Park City, UT 84060
September 9-16, 2018 7:30 PM Thursday-Saturday, 6:00 Sunday
Tickets: $19-35
Contact: 435-649-9371, boxoffice@parkcityshows.com
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Oliver! Facebook Event
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