It’s also a favorite of Christian Youth Theater, this time being produced by CYT-North County Inland at the Escondido Center of the Arts. Unfortunately I couldn’t see it till its closing weekend, but what I saw was a creatively staged production filled with lots of clever comedy and a polished cast.

In the title role was nine-year-old Tyler Ulrich who exuded a tender innocence as the good-hearted Oliver Twist and sang a sweetly melancholy Where is Love. Michael Sanchez was his confident and seasoned young pick pocket instructor – the Artful Dodger – who leads the ensemble in a rousing rendition of Consider Yourself. And teaching him was one of the big highlights of the evening – the old master himself going by the name Fagin. David Hott used his wide, hilariously expressive eyes and a delightfully devilish manner to create a remarkably comic Fagin, shining especially bright during his Reviewing the Situation that included some hysterical “eye work” as he impatiently bides his time during the long musical preludes between his stanzas.

Delivering the drama is the show’s other highlight featuring a tremendous performance by Kaitlyn Terrill as the tragic Nancy – Fagin’s former student embroiled in an abusive relationship with the evil Bill Sykes, who finds herself risking all to help Oliver avoid a similarly sad fate. Her poignant As Long as He Needs Me describing her devotion to Sykes and her touching reprise of I’d Do Anything sung to Oliver to explain why she’s risking her life to save him are movingly and beautifully performed.

Performed through March 6, 2005.

Rob Hopper
San Diego Playbill