[NEohioPAL] Review of "Oliver" at Rabbit Run Theater

[Bob Abelman]

Rabbit Run offers 'Oliver' straight up, no twist

 

Bob Abelman

News-Herald, Chagrin Valley Times, Solon Times,

The Morning Journal, Geauga Times Courier

Member, American Theatre Critics Association 

 

This review will appear in the News-Herald on 6/22/12

 

 

After opening its summer-long celebration of Charles Dickens with a one-man play about his life and times, Rabbit Run Theater in Madison Township begins its series of productions of his work.

 

Although Dickens wrote several plays, Rabbit Run's offerings are actually Dickens-inspired creations generated from his novels. They include the much beloved musical "Oliver," which opened last weekend; the two-part epic drama "The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby," which goes up in early July; and the whodunit "The Mystery of Edwin Drood," beginning in mid-August.

 

Dickens' milieu is the dark and despairing world of 19th century London, where the marginalized and displaced masses muster their humanity amidst an otherwise vulgar and uncivilized existence.   

 

Although "Oliver" takes place in this world-featuring the tribulations of a forgotten boy lost in London's underbelly-it is not really of that world.  Lionel Bart's upbeat music, lyrics and book make it the most digestible of the Dickens-driven plays, and largely bypass Dickens' foreboding, gloss over his deft social commentary, and limit the dimensionality of his characters.  

 

Occasionally, productions of this chestnut dare to bring to the surface the depths of darkness and complexity that Dickens intended, offering a damaged Nancy whose "As Long As He Needs Me" is a desperate plea rather than a romantic anthem, a psychotic Bill Sykes whose "My Name" is a warning and not just a musical calling card, truly sardonic Sowerberrys, orphans who are sewer rats rather than adorable urchins, and an Oliver with a twist. 

 

Upon arriving at the Rabbit Run Theater, there are indications that this "Oliver" could be such a production.  

 

The stark, dimly lit Rabbit Run stage is set with only a labyrinth of rickety stairs that lead nowhere, as if scenic designer Ray Beach was inviting trouble in and holding it hostage for the evening.  

 

George Roth, a classically trained equity actor who brings astounding detail and dimension to his characters, has been recruited to play Fagin, the man-child who heads the band of lost boys.

 

Executive Director Brint Learned is a risk-taker with a tendency to offer a brand of community theater richer, more flavorful, and better cast than most.  Why devote a season to one author unless something special is lurking in the wings.

 

Under Brendan Sandham's direction, however, what we are offered is an admirable but standard rendition of the family-friendly "Oliver."   It is loaded with good intentions, great music under Ed Leonard's musical direction, and safe choices.  The production makes for enjoyable summer stock entertainment but leaves a trail of disappointed Dickensians in its mild, lukewarm wake.  

 

Carrying this show are Evie Koh as an absolutely delightful Nancy, the very talented David Malinowski as a truly menacing Bill Sykes, and the amazing George Roth as Fagin.  Roth is a pleasure to watch all the time, but his rendition of the eleventh hour "Reviewing the Situation"-where Fagin weighs his options after his world falls apart-is singlehandedly worth the price of admission and might even win over a few crestfallen Dickensians.  

 

The show is at its best in scenes that feature the strong performances of Koh, Malinowski and Roth, due in large part to under-staged street scenes and production numbers that leave ensemble members and Fagin's boys standing around doing nothing when not performing Hanna Ziegler's rather stagey choreography.  

 

Little to do is better than the wrong thing to do, which occurs during Nancy's emotional ballad "As Long As He Needs Me."  This is an intimate number that should place the gifted Koh in the spotlight and dead center-stage.  Instead, she is placed to the far side of the stage and up the stairs so that a set change can take place during her performance.  This is one of several times when this production places efficiency over artistry.

 

Madison resident Sam Rees takes on the role of Oliver.  An adorable doe-eyed 9-year-old with a sweet voice and gentle disposition, he was a bit of a deer-in-the-headlights on opening night.  Not so for young stage veteran Stephen Sandham, as Artful Dodger, who is thoroughly engaging and spontaneous from start to finish.

 

Other standout performers include Greg Gnau as a very tender Mr. Brownlow, Mark Pendleton as the undertaker Mr. Sowerberry, and soloists Katrina Petersen Rees and Paige Hiedrich.

 

This is a respectable but unremarkable start to a summer of Dickens plays.  It will be interesting to see if the remaining two productions will also be more gravy than grave. 

 

"Oliver" continues through June 30 at Rabbit Run Theater, 5648 W. Chapel Rd., in Madison Township. For tickets, $17 to $19, call 440-428-7092 or visit www.rabbitrunonline.org.  
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