‘Oliver’ at to begin run at Russell Sage College
TROY, N.Y. >> The opening song in the musical, “Oliver,” shows a group of starving orphans singing the song, “Food, Glorious, Food.”
This is probably how it should be for a work based the Charles Dicken’s dark novel “Oliver Twist.” However, it’s an incongruous moment as the song is lovely to the point of being gay and sounding almost happy.
Michael Musial, who is directing the work at Russell Sage College in Troy, says he has discovered a number of such moments throughout the show when a dark scene is followed by a beautiful and haunting song. As an example, he points to “As Long As He Needs Me,” which is sung by the tragic Nancy almost immediately after Bill Sikes physically strikes her.
Musial who is the Coordinator of the Musical Theatre and Theater Programs of the Theatre Institute at Sage, says, “I think it was written that way so the tender moments soften the brutal moments.”
He might be right, as “Oliver” is considered a family show and has been since it first premiered in London in 1960, and on Broadway in 1963. Musial, who is also a Professor of Fine Arts and Music at the school, suggests that the era in which the show was written might have something to do with what might be seen as insensitivity to contemporary attitudes and sexist behavior.
“I can tell you this, we are not glossing over any of the bad behavior of the characters. Bill Sikes is shown as a violent, abusive guy.” He says, “We are trying to find the truth in every moment by playing the scenes honestly. It’s all there, if you pay attention to the lyrics,” he says.
He admits that a couple of Fagin’s numbers like “You Got to Pick a Pocket or Two,” and especially “Reviewing the Situation” tend to soften the character, but Musial is insistent about showing him as a bad man. “We are not playing Fagin as loveable,” he says.
Though some social problems have changed since 1836, when the story was first printed, one thing remains constant. Hunger is still an important issue in contemporary society. It might be obvious to any socially aware person that poor people go hungry. What is less obvious says Musial, is that hunger is a major issue on college campuses – Russell Sage included.
During the run of “Oliver,” the theater department and Sage’s Alumnae Association are working together to raise awareness of the need of many college students and to help stock the on campus food pantry, Food Hub.
Ali Schaeffing, Sage’s Director of Service Learning and Community Engagement, is spearheading the project. However, she is quick to point out that Food Hub is completely student driven. “There are no clubs, no programs.” She adds that there is “a ton of official support, but it is a 100% student-led initiative.”
She offers a startling statistic supporting the need for the operation. “43% of Capital Region residents have difficulty affording basic needs,” she says. “35% of college students’ nationwide, struggle to afford adequate healthy food needs.”
It might seem odd that students at a private college would lack food. She explains that the expense of tuition often leaves some students with little extra money for food, especially if they are from low income families to start with.
She admits, “There are not a bulk of people existing off the food pantry, but it does prevent many people from being hungry.” She points out that Sage has subsidized food programs and even full meal plans are available. But she says, “Assistance doesn’t take care of all needs, all the time.”
Schaeffing points out that over the recent Thanksgiving holiday the cafeteria was closed for four days. “Some student were living on campus and couldn’t afford to go to a restaurant,” she says. Another example of students needing food is for athletes and others who participate in extracurricular activities that finish after food sources are closed.
She targets another group that takes advantage of Food Hub. They are offcampus students. Schaeffing offers another statistic saying, “50% of our incoming class will be commuters. Many are paying for college themselves and are just scraping by because of the cost of tuition and text books. They will need help.”
The Food Hub is what the school calls a “judgement-free zone.” That’s one reason, the food pantry has a generic name. Those using Food Hub are on the honor system. It’s open 24 hours a day and students can just drop by and take what they need.
And what they need is surprising. Schaeffing says nutritional food is always in demand, and supermarket gift cards for grocery stores are especially helpful as they can be used to obtain special need items. She says there is always a need for toiletries. Because Sage is an all-female school, there is a special need for feminine hygiene products, and such items are rarely subsidized. “It shows the gender-side of poverty,” she explains.
Though food items are a priority, the educational need for help on college campuses is an important component of the plan. “This is a social justice issue and there is so much more we can do. The public has to know these needs exist.”
If you plan to attend “Oliver” at Russell Sage College at the Schacht Arts Center on the Troy campus, remember to bring a donation to Food Hub. The musical runs Friday, Dec. 4 thru Sunday, Dec. 15. For schedule and ticket information go to theatreinstitute@sage.edu or call (518) 2445404, (518) 244-2248.