'Oliver!': Consider this one a hit
By Keith Kreitman, Contributor

San Mateo County Times, May 9, 2006

With the musical "1776," Hillbarn Theatre almost made it.  With "Hello, Dolly!" it got closer.  And with "Oliver!" it is now up there with the best of the music theatres in the Bay Area.

To produce a play with more than 50 performers in a rather small venue with limited stage area is a challenge but the Foster City theater always seems able to rise to the occasion.

Rekindling first-time enthusiasm in a reviewer who has seen this musical lo, so many times is a measure of how good this production of "Oliver!" is.

From R. Dutch Fritz's super set of mid-19th century London through the inspired and loving performances by the cast, this one is a winner.  Right up front I need to say that the 20-plus adorable youngsters, drawn principally from the theater's own conservatory, just about steal the show from the adult cast.  And that's an achievement considering how good the adult cast is.

With supercharged choreography by Karen Dito, costumes in authentic period style by Mae Heagerty-Matos, extraordinary lighting effects by Don Coluzzi and music director Greg Sudmeier on the score, it was a slam dunk for director Bill Starr to pull an award-worthy show together. 

Of course he has a great story to work with.  "Oliver!" is taken from the pages of the touching Dickens classic, "Oliver Twist."

Dylan Ames, who shares the Oliver lead with Zack Fineman, is a winning little guy.  Although he has little actual acting to do in this role, his character serves as the catalyst for all of the action revolving about him.

Orphaned at birth, he is put in a London workhouse for children run by pitiless, pompous and arrogant Mr. Bumble (Stephen D. Maddox alternating with Robert Snedegar), who is courting the Widow Corney (the always outstanding Kay Susanne Arnaudo). 

As a punishment for asking for a second serving of the repulsive gruel served to the children, Oliver is sold for five English pounds to the Sowerberrys (Robert McIvor and Pamela Fornesi), the local undertakers.

Abused by his fellow worker Noah Claypole (Dan Shilstone), Oliver runs away and is rerouted by The ARtful Dodger (Matt Petromilli, alternating with Trevor Meacham) to the cunning, shaggy but oddly sympathetic Fain (extraordinary performance by Dave Eshleman), who is the godfather to a collection of homeless, thieving children.

Enter Nancy (super-singer Karyne Levy, who wows with the show's big hit "As Long As He Needs Me"), her friend Bet (13-year old charmer Claire Neubert)and Nancy's lover ruthless Bill Sikes (Chris Tann).  They learn that on his first pickpocket mission Oliver has been arrested and, out of fear that he will reveal secrets damaging to them, Sikes beats Nancy until she agrees to get him back.

Oliver's victim, gentle mr. Brownlow (Rudolf Vest), has taken the boy home, and with the help of his housekeeper Mrs. Belwin (Lee Foster) and Doctor Grimwig (Taylor J. Smith), is caring for the ill Oliver.

Then, and extraordinary revelation changes the prospects for the poor, exploited child.

To find out what that discovery is and to get to the closing chapter of this classic tale, you need to hurry over to see this sparkling production.
close window