Spectators will get swept up in ‘Oliver’
NORMAN — A production of “Oliver” that swept spectators along — and made them want to belong too — was staged Sunday at Sooner Theatre, 101 E Main.
Well choreographed and directed by Lisa Fox, the Lionel Bart musical’s streamlined version of the novel, was a total team effort, studded with star turns.
Callen Stewart was deeply touching in the title role, doing a good job of developing various aspects of Oliver’s character, during his performance.
In Act One, Stewart begged for “Food, Glorious Food,” asked himself and us “Where Is Love?” and expressed the need to belong, beautifully, in “Consider Yourself.”
Stewart also led, in Act Two, “Who Will Buy,” an evocative song that seemed to spread out from him to street vendors and the cast, like ripples on water.
Turning in a fine, broadly engaging performance was Madison Breedlove, who took the role of Nancy, on short notice, after Marcy Gonzales was injured.
Breedlove led “It’s A Fine Life” and “I’d Do Anything” very well in Act One, and was even better in “Oom-PahPah” and “As Long As He Needs Me” after intermission.
But it was David Mays as the surprisingly sympathetic villain, Fagin, who gave perhaps the richest performance, as multifaceted as his hidden trove of stolen jewelry.
Subtle and seductive, Mays as Fagin made us want to join his gang in “You’ve Got To Pick A Pocket Or Two” and join him in “Reviewing the Situation” of his criminal life.
Wonderfully unsubtle was Jody White, as Bill Sykes, the formidable former protege of Fagin who used a long club to make almost everyone afraid to say “My (His) Name.”
Comic relief came from Eric Key-Parker and Audrey Chapin, as a courting, then feuding couple, Mr. Bumble and Mrs. Corney, and from Kurt Leftwich and Emma Leffler as married undertakers.
More superb support came from Eli Fortney, who had just the right street savvy as The Artful Dodger, and played a key part in one of the musical’s best numbers, “I’d Do Anything.”
Lasting a little over two hours, including intermission, with excellent period costumes and a pit band led by Mervin Tay, the musical is highly recommended.