The show boasts one of the best musical scores ever written featuring one great tune after another including I’d Do Anything for You, Where is Love, Food, Glorious Food, and Consider Yourself at Home, not to mention some of the most unforgettable characters in English literature. Those characters include, of course, young Oliver Twist. Knowing nothing more than the squalid workhouse he has lived in since his unknown mother died giving birth to him, his adventures begin at the age of ten when he dares to ask for more gruel. The greedy child is promptly sold off to a peculiar undertaker so that he may accompany child funeral processions. Escaping from that fate, he makes his way to London to start a new life, meeting the Artful Dodger who introduces him to the singular Mr. Fagin – an infamous trainer of young pickpockets.

The sweet, innocent-looking Ian Brininstool portrays the good-hearted and sometimes spunky Oliver with a genuine flair, and sings a wistful rendition of Where is Love. Local great Ron Choularton delves delightedly into the delicious role of Fagin, adding tremendous personality throughout as he teaches his young brood the art of the pick, tries to keep a little peace when things begin getting out of hand, and Reviewing the Situation for other possibilities when circumstances become too volatile. Misty Cotton delivers the vocal and acting talents for a very strong performance as Nancy, the bar-singing lady of ill repute who becomes Oliver’s only true friend in London’s shady underworld. Young talent Jacob Sampson offers a charismatic Artful Dodger, and T. Eric Hall (recent star of Starlight’s Jekyll & Hyde and Scarlet Pimpernel) makes for a menacing Bill Sykes. Other notable performances come from Paul James Kruse and Charline Dibelka as the selfish Bumbles (unfortunately a microphone problem plagued Paul opening weekend), Sarah Sumner as Nancy’s sister Bet, and a fine ensemble of young orphans, pickpockets, and older townspeople who bring to life such big scenes as Consider Yourself, I’d Do Anything, and Who Will Buy, all choreographed nicely by Jack Tygett and Joyce Schumaker.

Oliver: