"Oliver!" Opening a Success
"Oliver!" offers a new twist on Charles Dicken's classic, "Oliver Twist."
Lee Theatre's production of “Oliver!” opened Friday, March 31, to a full house, and continued until Saturday, April 8.
Students, faculty and other theatre lovers packed the seats of the Dixon Center for "Oliver"'s five productions over the past two weekends.
“Oliver!” is based on Charles Dickens’ classic novel “Oliver Twist.” The musical follows a young orphan boy through the chaotic and dangerous London streets, where he meets unlikely friends and foes.
Stephanie Wolfe, who plays Mrs. Sowerberry, believes people should come see the musical because of its childlike fun.
“You will be grinning the entire time. Actually, you’ll be crying a lot too, but it’s still a fun show,” Wolfe said.
Marybeth Davis plays the Artful Dodger and says that the role is her favorite character she has ever played. She attributes her love to the fun she and the rest of the cast have together.
“We hope our fun energy that we’re having reflects. That’s why people should come, because it’s fun,” Davis said.
Davis hopes the audience gets a suspense in reality when they watch the musical.
“I want them to walk out of the theatre and say, ‘I've completely forgotten about reality for the past 2 and a half hours,’” Davis said. “I want them to be taken to these 1800s streets in London. I want them to be transported.”
Lionel Bart’s adaptation livens Dickens’ plot but keeps the spirit of the original.
Jake Wallin, who played Noah Claypole, said he can see the emotion in the play.
“There are different reasons for different musicals to be written. ‘Oliver!’ is definitely a feel-good musical, but it’s also very emotional,” Wallin said. “That’s why people come to see live theatre: because it’s something a little bit more than a movie and you feel a lot more emotion.”
Freshman Gracie Vaughan saw the performance on Friday, March 31.
According to Vaughan, the cast seemed very competent, with no real weak link to be seen.
“If one person fell, someone else picks up the slack because everyone knows what they're supposed to be doing,” Vaughan said.
Director Dan Buck credits this support to the cast’s genuine care for each other.
“This cast really loves each other, and it reflects in the work. You can see it onstage,” Buck said.
Buck encourages people to come see “Oliver!” for not only the entertainment value but also for the lessons hidden in it.
“You watch people fail at making it in their own way and by their own power,” Buck said. “You recognize that it almost becomes a warning for you that this is not the way to satisfaction or fulfillment.”
