By KATHRINE NEWTON, Special to the Herald-Press
The Palestine Herald
PALESTINE
July 20, 2008 12:57 am
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“Consider yourself at home!” Most assuredly “consider yourself” a member of the Palestine Community Theatre family and plan on attending one of their most ambitious productions to date. This year’s summer offering is the popular musical “Oliver!” directed by Sandy Hanson. The play is sponsored in part by Century 21 agent Mary Alice Largent, Ben E. Keith Beers, Zoom Advertising and 98.3 KYYK Radio.
“We have a show!” declared an exuberant Hanson to her cast during a recent dress rehearsal. “You are giving me goose bumps!”
Together with her assistant Chaundra Dantin and her choreographer Trisha Couch, Hansen has assembled a cast of nearly 50. They are guaranteed to entertain anyone who is a fan, or potential fan, of this Tony award-winning play that first appeared in London’s West End in 1960 and three years later on Broadway. In fact, a revival is scheduled in 2009 back at the West End, so the PCT is on the theatrical cutting edge.
Composer and lyricist Lionel Bart loosely adapted Charles Dickens’ 1938 bestselling novel “Oliver Twist” for the stage. It is the story of a sweet and innocent orphan struggling to survive on the streets of London at the beginning of Queen Victoria’s reign and the dawning of the Industrial Revolution.
Dickens himself couldn’t have asked for a better portrayal of his lonely young hero than Palestine’s own Adam Hobbs. As Oliver, Hobbs’ pure vocals and sympathetic presence fill the theatre. His rendition of “Where is Love” will have the audience wanting to comfort and to help the waif overcome his trials.
Five main individuals quickly impact Oliver’s young life. They are Mr. Bumble, Fagin, the Artful Dodger, Bill Sykes, and Nancy. Oliver’s initial stumbling block occurs in the form of John Lamb as Mr. Bumble, the pompous caretaker of the orphanage where the boy was born. Mr. Bumble’s politically incorrect thoughts on child rearing and child labor are shared by the greedy matron of the workhouse embodied by Chaundra Dantin as Widow Corney.
Lamb truly flexes his acting muscles in accepting the challenge of playing both Mr. Bumble and the comic criminal Fagin. It is Fagin who welcomes Oliver into his band of homeless juvenile pick pockets. The longtime PCT veteran skillfully creates two very contrasting personages by altering posture, gesture, and tone of voice with the benefit of costume and make-up. How different the rigid, staff wielding Mr. Bumble is from the agile, light fingered Fagin. Theatregoers will assuredly smile when Fagin takes an introspective look at his life of crime in the delightful tune “Reviewing the Situation.”
Fresh from his starring role in “Little Shop of Horrors” at Harding University in Arkansas, Jared Cook seamlessly captures the irrepressible charm of the Artful Dodger. Resplendent in top hat and oversized coat, Dodger promises to “consider” Oliver as “our mate” and is responsible for luring the unsuspecting Oliver into Fagin’s group of child delinquents. Cook’s actual little sister, Haley, shares her brother’s gift for singing as she plays Dodger’s side-kick Charlie Bates.
Like Lamb, Jim Vincill is also broadening his theatrical horizons by bravely separating himself from the romantic heroes that he is best known for to go for a walk on the dark side. Vincill realizes the ruthless burglar Bill Sykes with brutal authority. He makes an indelible impression as Oliver’s evil nemesis and the terrifying boyfriend of the barmaid Nancy.
Dr. Jan Sikes lends her lovely voice and beautiful countenance to the conflicted Nancy. Her plaintive version of the co-dependent anthem “As Long as He Needs Me” is haunting. It is interesting to see how the rollicking melody “It’s a Fine Life” that Nancy shares with Fagin’s kids and her sister Bet, played by Kayla Coble, later evolves into a poignant ballad as she grows ever more protective of Oliver and his fate.
Other memorable characters that cross paths with Oliver are the real-life husband and wife team of Michael and Amelia Cook. Not to be outdone by their children, they provide a refreshingly comic characterization of the traditionally dour Sowerberrys. Mr. Sowerberry is the undertaker Oliver is apprenticed to straight from the workhouse. The Sowerberry’s daughter Charlotte and their assistant Noah Claypole, played by Carlie Smith and Juan Vasquez respectively, bait Oliver into a fight which forces the boy into the harsh streets of London.
Ironically, it is on the streets where Oliver eventually meets the kindly gentleman Mr. Brownlow depicted by John Morris. Mr. Brownlow escorts the needy child home to be ministered to by Ruth Brown who is the housekeeper Mrs. Bedwin.
Without a doubt, the most engaging scene-stealers are the young people who do double duty as the Workhouse Kids and Fagin’s Kids. With the marvelous set designed by John Lamb as a backdrop, the children belt out their songs as they dance into each playgoer’s heart. Particularly compelling is the ballet sequence during “Who Will Buy?” that showcases the abilities of Hannah Cariker, Vanessa Giron, and Elyse Moseley. The other remarkable kids are Haley Cook, Branden Dantin, Gabby Dantin, Dylan Fuller, Jonna Ham, Jordan Hobbs, Tabitha Hobbs, Teri Klauser, Charles Lamb, Annie Lang, Meagan Orr, Halen Quintana, Kendell Redd and Shannon Smith.
The Townspeople’s voices and visually enhance the mood developed by the lead characters and the colorful kids. These talented individuals portraying folks as diverse as strawberry sellers to policemen are Ruth Brown, Amelia Cook, Michael Cook, Deborah Fuller, Dylan Fuller, Judy Hobbs, Teri Klauser, Charles Lamb, Jerry Lang, George Magee, Lola Magee, Halen Quintana, Melissa Quintana, Kendell Redd and Carlie Smith.
Dinner at the Fig Tree Manor marks opening night festivities with, naturally, “Food Glorious Food!” Any Workhouse Kid or contemporary East Texan will happily tuck into this menu including pan roasted bangers (English sausages), roasted tomatoes and mustard, Sheppard’s Pie and Pease Pudding, and topped off with an English Trifle. The $30 “Dinner and a Show” tickets are only available at Education Unlimited. All opening night ticket holders are invited to attend the wine and cheese reception beginning at 6:30 p.m. in the theatre lobby.
However, the gastronomic pleasures do not end Friday night. For those seeking an “after theatre repast,” The Downtown Bistro at the Redlands will remain open following both Saturday night performances.
“Oliver!” will run on July 25-27 and Aug. 1-3. Friday and Saturday evening performances start at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday afternoon performances begin at 2 p.m. All tickets, including season and dinner tickets, can be purchased at Education Unlimited. Single show tickets are also available at the Palestine Area Chamber of Commerce.
With the exception of opening night tickets, advance tickets are $10 for adults and $6 for students 18 and under. Opening night tickets and tickets at the door are $12.
For more information, please call 903-723-8383 or visit www.thetexastheater.com.
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