Oliver!

By Carl Bookstein

OLIVER! is the latest production from the Nicely Theater Group and begins its run this Friday, July 17. Attendees are promised an evening of wonder and delight. Nicely’s last production was a perfect rendition of Fiddler on the Roof, following a spot-on Guys and Dolls. Don’t miss Oliver!

The Oliver! cast orphans file in from down the aisles. There is excitement and passion. “Food, Glorious Food” is the to-die-for opening number, gorgeously rendered. Next, Mr. Bumble, looking like the second coming of Captain Crunch, sings “Oliver” — “Never before has a boy wanted more!” Oliver himself is purity embodied, played exactly on point and endearingly by Josh Kremhelmer, age 11.

Other fine performances include Cecily Gamarra as a magical, shining portrayal of the Artful Dodger. She, at only age 9, moves so well, looking like a likely-to-become genius. Other best portrayals here are Patrick Lane with an epiphany Fagin, living up to his past Nicely glory roles - Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof and Sky Masterson in Guys and Dolls. To watch Fagin and the Artful Dodger play off each other is a pure joy. Sara Grice as Nancy, with Sara’s great singing pipes, blew me away.

“Where is Love?” is a gorgeous number and a fine vocal by Oliver, touching and passionate. “Consider Yourself” —“One of us!” — is over the top. “You’ve Got to Pick a Pocket or Two” features Fagin, with all his crafty cunning, as does “Reviewing the Situation,” which considers a career change accompanied by a unique violin solo.

“Who Will Buy?” is also a perfect number. In the end, I just can’t say enough about the production — the fine cast, the gorgeous music, and the always impeccable direction of Mitch Master.

Tickets to Nicely’s Oliver! are available now; don’t miss this production! Six shows only July 17-19 and 24-26 at The Berman Center for Performing Arts in West Bloomfield. For tickets, click here.