Oliver! – Cain Park Summer Theatre 2007

“rousing”

”an unequalled mix of sentimentality, trenchant social commentary, turn-the-page plotting, irresistible comedy, and, most engagingly, a cornucopia of indelibly memorable characters”

”it boasts a couple of highly enjoyable compensations: the live – even if reduced to life-size – embodiment of a troupe of Dickens’ colorful characters, and their intoxicating animation through an abundance of marvelously apt, foot-and-pulse-stirring songs”

“Cain Park director Fred Sternfeld has once again amassed his trademark horde of veteran, neophyte and in-between performers to commodiously fill the cavernous Evans Amphitheater stage, and with the ever-magical, ultra-dependable, by-now-indispensible contribution of choreographer/musical stager Martin Cespedes, deploys them with a strategic felicity and effectiveness that Clausewitz might have envied.”

“Stellar among the uniformly able multitude is Patty Lohr, who twice belts out Nancy’s lament with Broadway-babyish brass; Chris McCarrell’s silkily louche Dodger; Anne Markt as Nancy’s compassionate BGF; the man-devouring widow of Juliette Regnier; Kris Hebble’s strongly voiced … church beadle; the plucky Oliver of the sympathetic Lincoln Sandham, vying with the adorable antics of his scene-stealing kid brother Stephen; and, in particular, George Roth, whose Fagin … certainly ranks as the best of a seemingly endless series of roles this constantly employed actor has recently undertaken.”

“the Jodie Ricci-led orchestra is first-rate”

”Jeff Herrmann’s sets and Aimee Kluiber’s costumes are accommodatingly conducive”

”catching this decently enjoyable, more than decently presented al fresco show could almost be considered, at these prices, to be picking a producer’s pocket or two.”

“fans will beg for more Oliver”“well-sung, supercharged revival”

“a crowd-pleaser in capital letters”

“well-drilled cast includes Lincoln Sandham, who looks and sounds cherubic as Oliver, Patty Lohr as the scrappy, ill-fated Nancy, and George Roth, who is in top form as the paternalistic but greedy Fagin”

“some notable moments”

“more please”

“The musical “Oliver!” at Cain Park is more than a show … it’s an event.””Directed by Fred Sternfeld, master of the mega-musical, “Oliver” is a hugely ambitious undertaking with many highs … Notwithstanding some fine solo performances, the real stars of the show are the children. How I wish I could name them all!”

”Where the show mostly succeeds is in the choreography and ensemble work. Here Sternfeld and choreographer Martín Céspedes really shine in whipping up a bunch of kids into a cohesive, energetic, hardworking ensemble, strutting and singing their hearts out. This is evident in the rousing opening number “Food, Glorious Food,” in which the Workhouse Boys and Workhouse Girls display some fancy foot and body work and do some nifty things with their bowls.”

“With his mop of blond hair and cherubic scrubbed looks, Lincoln Sandham as Oliver looks the part of the waif with a mysterious past. Sandham reveals a small, sweet voice in the plaintive song “Where Is Love?”

”As the autocratic beadle Mr. Bumble, Kris Hebble’s rendition of “One Boy for Sale” is hauntingly beautiful.”

”Oliver is sold to the undertaker Mr. Sowerberry (Bob Abelman) and his Missus (Jeanne Task), with solid comic performances from both. Later, Task does an extraordinary transformation as the consumptive Sally, who reveals the secret of Oliver’s birth.”

”The show takes on a new dimension and polish with the entrance of the estimable George Roth as the loveable villain Fagin, who mothers his boys while teaching them to steal. Roth’s rendition of the Jewish-inflected “Pick a Pocket or Two” is terrific. So are Fagin’s Boys who cavort with their master, led by Chris McCarrell, who does a fine rendition of the Artful Dodger. “Reviewing the Situation,” in which the crafty Fagin contemplates turning over a new leaf, is another comic highlight.”

”Jeff Herrmann’s mobile set depicting the various London milieux (The Workhouse, The Pub, The Thieves’ Kitchen and London Bridge) is remarkable in its versatility. “

”Patty Lohr is excellent as the lusty, big-hearted Nancy, who stands by her man, the brutal Bill Sykes, convincingly performed by Bob Russell.”

“Jeffrey Grover and Maryann Elder fill the bill as the well-heeled Mr. Brownlow and his housekeeper Mrs. Bedwin, who take Oliver under their wing. John Lynch does a comic turn as the somber Dr. Grimwig, and a plucky Anne Markt plays Nancy’s good friend Bet.”

”Stan Kozak’s stormy sound effects and Diane D. Fairchild’s atmospheric lighting are suitably melodramatic. Aimee Kluiber’s huge wardrobe of costumes never ceases to amaze.”

“Oliver!” is a wonderful family show and a great way to introduce children of all ages to the magic of live theater.”

”a compelling tale” “great music”

“the songs are still the heroes, backed with sleek professionalism by a 13-piece orchestra under the baton of Jodie Ricci””In a cast numbering almost 55(!), the real standout performers are those with virtually no lines of dialogue. The workhouse boys and girls, along with Fagin’s motley crew, are consistently focused, disciplined, and energetic on stage. Credit their mature presence to director Fred Sternfeld and the gifted Martin Cespedes, who choreographed and staged musical numbers. From the moment the ragamuffins enter the workhouse dining hall, they are in perfect lockstep, pounding out the memorable ditty “Food, Glorious Food” like they haven’t had a spot of gruel for a week.”

”As Oliver, young Lincoln Sandham is appropriately thin, physically and vocally, lending a sweet, boy-soprano innocence to his sad solo, “Where Is Love?”

”One of the most enduring characters is Fagin, played by George Roth, bedecked in a long, greasy wig and overcoat. Roth captures the right blend of mendacity and avuncular paternalism, teaching his brood how to nab a purse on the street in the feloniously jolly “(You’ve Got to) Pick a Pocket or Two.”

“Fagin is abetted in his nefarious activities by Nancy (strong-voiced Patty Lohr), another gutter rat who is in a doomed relationship with the vicious robber Bill Sykes (a snarly Bob Russell). The show’s signature song, “As Long as He Needs Me,” is Nancy’s battered-woman tribute to misplaced affection.”

”The multiple scenes are performed on and about impressive set pieces designed by Jeff Herrmann … visually stunning”

”Sternfeld, masterful at managing large-cast shows … ”

Excerpts from the Times Newspaper review … 
by Roy Berko

“Fred Sternfeld, the director of ‘OLIVER’ which is now appearing at Cain Park’s Evans Amphtheater, is noted for his ability to take large casts and make them into cohesive units (think ‘BEAUTY AND THE BEAST” at Beck Center and ‘RAGTIME’ at Jewish Community Center). He pulls it off again with ‘OLIVER.’ “”Cain Park’s production is blessed with George Roth portraying Fagin. He has a delightful singing voice and gives the role the right tone. His “ Reviewing the Situation” was wonderful, as was “Pick A Pocket or Two.” He walks the line between bad guy and curmudgeon with finesse.”

”Lincoln Sandham (Oliver) … has a nice pure singing voice. His “Where is Love” was right in tonality and meaning.”

”One of my favorite musical theatre songs is, “As Long as He Needs Me.” Each time I see the production I sit in fear that the song will be ruined. No fear in this production. Patty Lohr sings beautifully, stressing meaning over mere words, and she also acts the role with assurance.”

”As has come to be expected, Martin Cespedes’ choreography is creative. He has honed the youngsters in the cast into a cohesive unit that is delightful in “Food, Glorious Food.” His staging of “I’d Do Anything” is a show stopper.”

”Musical Director Jodie Ricci, Scenic Designer Jeff Hermann, and Costumer Aimee Kluiber all should be proud of their contributions.”

”strong performances and wonderful choreography”