By Linda Chin
Oliver! Directed by Zoe Bradford and Jodie Saucerman .Presented by The Company Theatre at the Center for Performing Arts, 30 Accord Park Drive, Norwell through December 16
Seeing shows, particularly musicals at Company Theater usually puts me in a good mood (and for me, are worth the long drive to Norwell), and the current production of Oliver! (running through December 16) is no exception. It is a theater company whose productions and casts seem to be selected with the audience and community in mind, and feelings of family and pride for local talent permeate the experience once you walk through the door.
Overall, the production quality of Oliver does not match that of this summer’s Ragtime (a wonderful rendition of an ambitious production, with outstanding performances by Equity actors Peter Adams and Davron Monroe), beautiful backdrops and a Model T-Ford!) but it was similarly successful in telling a story with great heart and authenticity.
Veteran directors Zoe Bradford and Jodie Saucerman execute their vision without theater magic or gimmicks, creating a contemporary interpretation of a classic, or integrating heavy-handed messages, but by judiciously investing in human resources – an intergenerational cast (who according to Bradford ranged in age from 8-80), a lone Equity actor to populate the Dickens village, and an 11-piece orchestra (music directed by Steve Bass) to fill the pit and house with lush sound (always a joy to see the musicians!). The result is a less polished version, noticeable most in the choreography, yet the directors’ efforts to be inclusive and provide opportunities to emerging talents are laudable, and the production numbers were filled with a natural joy that made you feel like you were in it with them instead of a distant observer.
One difference in interpretation/messaging that I came away with (when compared for example with the CT Goodspeed’s recent production) was that the story seemed to have a more noticeable feminist bent. This may in part be attributable to the directors’ (also the Company’s co-founders’) strong hand, but most assuredly the spectacular performance by Brittany Rolfs in the role of Nancy. Rolfs exudes warmth and her tremendous triple-threat abilities raise the bar for everyone else on stage and turn every musical number she is in (It’s a Fine Life, Oom-Pah-Pah) into a showstopper. Her solo rendition of As Long As He Needs Me is so powerful and nuanced that one views Nancy as a survivor and not a victim of an abusive relationship and Dickens’ Victorian society.
At this publication the show is close to being sold out. For tickets and info, go to: https://www.companytheatre.com/oliver/
