by Linda Chin

‘Oliver!’ – Book, Music and Lyrics by Lionel Bart. Michael J. Bobbitt, Director; Sariva Goetz, Music Director; Luciana Stecconi, Scenic Designer; Rachel Padula-Shufelt, Costume Designer; Frank Meissner, Lighting Designer; Kevin Alexander, Sound Designer. Presented by New Repertory Theatre at Mosesian Center for the Arts, 321 Arsenal Street, Watertown through December 29

Oliver! at the Mosesian Center for the Arts powerfully demonstrates that the arts can build community and that live theater can bring people – of different ages, backgrounds, classes and cultures, denominations, educational levels and generations – together in a shared human experience. Michael J, Bobbitt does triple duty as not only the New Rep’s new artistic director, but the production’s director and choreographer, and leads a diverse and talented cast. Broadway, film and TV veteran Austin Pendleton plays Fagin and 11-year old Ben Choi-Harris (whose resume includes a national tour, a string of regional professional credits and two IRNE Award nominations) plays the title role. The cast of 11 adult and five child actors is first-rate, with Pendleton’s “Reviewing the Situation”, Choi-Harris’ “Where is Love”, and Daisy Layman’s (Nancy) “As Long As He Needs Me”, wonderful renditions of classics and beautiful examples of storytelling through song. The production numbers were nicely staged and energetically executed, with special shout outs to Jackson Jirard (Noah Claypole), Sydney Johnston (Artful Dodger), and Youth Ensemble members Ian Freedson Falck, Jane Jakubowski, and Mark Johnson.