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Email Story to a Friend July 16, 2006 'Oliver' is a flawed production with heart The Rogue Music Theatre's "Oliver!" offers an uneven but heartfelt version of Lionel Bart's beloved musical. Some highlights include Kjell Thorsen's portrayal of the orphaned waif whose life turns endlessly at the hands of others. Thorsen's solos are sweetly plaintive or quietly hopeful. He is most endearing in "Where is Love" and "I'd Do Anything." Daniel Grossbard wears two big hats in this play: director and Fagan, the sticky-fingered master pickpocket. During Grossbard's interaction with the youth enrolled in his academy of pickpockets, it is clear he is well-loved, both in character and out, by this youth-oriented cast. Alone on stage for his rendition of "Reviewing the Situation," he is wickedly sly and appealing, if not always in perfect pitch. The best part of the number is the duet he creates with violinist Cynthia Cournoyer. Grossbard milks the stringed interplay for every honeyed note. Annelise Cound sells herself well as the irrepressible Jack Dawkins, aka "The Artful Dodger." Cound's stride, mannerisms and energy are just boyish enough to keep the crowd easily believing here was a likely lad instead of a winsome lass. Advertisement Jocelyn Vodovoz, as the ill-fated Nancy, graduate of Fagan's academy of thieves and doxy of the evil Bill Sykes, sold every song — and received the most rousing rounds of applause. In "As Long as He Needs Me," Vodovoz used her strong vocal abilities to slowly build the story of unrequited love to a crescendo of passion. Russell Lloyd and Kristie Abart play the villianous workshop duo Bumble and Widow Corney. The two draw chuckles from a supportive crowd as the bad beadle and shrill harpy woo each other in "I Shall Scream." John Stuart is suitably menacing as the murderous bully Sykes. Stuart's best moment comes when, for a split second, he lets us see his pain during his fateful final scene with Nancy. There are pitch problems with much of the singing. The best harmonies come from the market crowd in "Who Will Buy." But even the sharpest of productions would suffer under Rogue Music Theatre's sound and lighting. Listening to crackling and popping speakers while squinting on stage to find the actors distracts mightily from the performance. A ramshackle pile of pickets that masquerades as The Bridge is also distracting. One keeps worrying an actor might fall through the disorderly slats. Penny King's choreography bolsters the production, using the gymnastic ability of the young cast to good effect. And the moves of the older cast members were also fun to watch. One exception, however, was seeing poor "Bullseye" — Syke's pitbull — getting dragged onstage during the boisterous "Oom-Pah-Pah!" The canine sidekick was scrabbling for a toehold on the slick stage floor. In fact, several cast members took minor tumbles on stage and in the grassy aisles. While the young Staffordshire bull terrier was receiving his post-performance tummy scratches, his owner informed the adoring crowd that she had taught the pup to heel, but she had not taught him to dance. Yet. Speaking of dancing, this is an interactive play. Be prepared to cheer, sing and even be asked on stage. Reach reporter Sanne Specht at 776-4497 or e-mail [email protected] . Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2006 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback www.bingo.com Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker Custom Build Computers Discount Hotel Reservations --> online casinos news Send Flowers California Casinos GMAT Prep Windermere Van Vleet Sports Equipment Entertainment Guide --> Online Casino Fundraisers Sudoku Online Casinos Canada Ashley Furniture HomeStore Advertisement s Advertisement