Skylight Music Theatre presents OLIVER!

The cast of Lionel Bart's OLIVER! presented by Skylight Music Theatre, through December 29, 2024 in Milwaukee. Photo by Mark Frohna.

By Mary Boyle
 
When you think of the holidays and Charles Dickens, most people think of A Christmas Carol, but Skylight Music Theatre brings another tale of Dickens’ to the stage for their 65th holiday season: a Tony Award-winning musical based on Dickens’ 1838 novel Oliver Twist, written and composed in 1960 by Lionel Bart, called OLIVER!

Directed by Skylight’s artistic director Michael Unger, Oliver! is one of those musicals that you know even if you think you’ve never seen it.  I’ll bet the phrase, “Please, sir, I want some more,” uttered by a ragged child with a British accent rings a bell, whether you’ve read Oliver Twist, saw the musical performed live, or saw the1968 film adaptation of the musical, which won an Academy Award.  The music of Oliver! has become a part of our culture.  You may hear a melody when you read the words, “Food, glorious food!”  When you read the lyrics to the song “Consider Yourself”, it’s entirely likely you will be able to hum the melody or even sing along:
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Consider yourself at home
Consider yourself one of the family
We've taken to you so strong
It's clear we're going to get along

The musical generally follows the story of Oliver Twist but is made more family-friendly with plenty of big Broadway song and dance numbers choreographed by Stephanie Staszak and music directed by David Bonofiglio.  Oliver (double cast as Gus Kolbe or Mac Heinrich) is one of many orphans in the workhouse still hungry after their ration of gruel, but he has the audacity to ask for more. Widow Corney (Candace Decker) and Mr. Bumble (Miss Kyle Blair), who run the workhouse, sell Oliver to Mr. & Mrs. Sowerberry (Nathan Marinan and Samantha Sostarich), the undertakers, where he is treated even worse than the workhouse.  Oliver runs away into the city and meets the Artful Dodger (double cast as Jenna Krysiak or Harper Fornstedt), who brings Oliver to Fagin (Randall Dodge), a criminal who teaches the children to pickpocket and exchange their stolen goods for food and a place to stay.  With Fagin, Oliver meets more of London’s criminal underworld, including Nancy (Rachel Shoenecker) and Bet (Hope Riesterer), who are nice to Oliver, but everyone steers clear of Nancy’s mean and dangerous boyfriend, Bill Sikes (Jared Brandt Hoover).

Unfortunately, Oliver gets caught on his very first foray into thievery.  Amazingly, the wealthy man he stole from, Mr. Brownlow (Rick Richter), takes pity on Oliver and brings him home with him where he is cared for by the housekeeper, Mrs. Bedwin (Paula Garcia).  Fagin, afraid that Oliver will sell out the criminals, goes to Bill Sikes, who orders Nancy to steal Oliver back, though she tries to refuse.  Meanwhile, Widow Corney, now Mrs. Bumble, finds out that the orphan she and Mr. Bumble sold might have wealthy relatives.  Hoping to receive payment for their information, they pay a visit to old Mr. Brownlow, who makes an important realization about Oliver.  Nancy, sick with guilt over taking Oliver away from a chance at a good life, asks Mr. Brownlow to meet her after dark in the city so she can get Oliver back to him.  Will Oliver finally get a chance at a good life?

Like A Christmas Carol, Oliver! is a commentary on the social ills of the time in Victorian England, but that is its only tie to anything related to the holidays.  There is no mention of Christmas and, although the story is simplified from the original, it is a far more dark and violent story than Dickens’ holiday classic.  Nonetheless, this musical is a cultural classic and, with plenty of children in the cast, it manages to pass for a holiday family show, though it is not recommended for children under the age of eight.  Most of the adult cast has been seen on Skylight’s stage before, but Rachel Schoenecker as Nancy, Candace Decker as Widow Corney, and Miss Kyle Blair as Mr. Bumble all made impressive debuts.  Jared Brandt Hoover, who just finished his role as Earl in Skylight’s season opener, WAITRESS, has a knack for playing the bad guy.  Randall Dodge (SWEENY TODD) was particularly fun to watch as Fagin.  I saw the Piccadilly Cast of young performers and I would be remiss if I didn’t mention Jenna Krysiak, who was fabulous as the Artful Dodger.

A Broadway classic, OLIVER! is a worthy show to introduce the whole family to for the holiday season, and you’re sure to “consider yourself at home” at the beautiful and intimate Cabot Theatre!

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OLIVER! runs through December 29th at the Cabot Theatre, located within the the Broadway Theatre Center at 158 N. Broadway in Milwaukee’s Historic Third Ward. Tickets may be purchased by calling the box office at 414-291-7800 or by visiting www.skylightmusictheatre.org.
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Don’t miss the rest of Skylight’s amazing 2024-2025 season!  Experience a Modern and Hilarious Take on a Classic Love Story with Juliet and Romeo  (January 17 – February 2, 2025), take in the Midwest Premiere of Frankenstein: The Musical  (February 21 – March 9, 2025), and be there for the Season Finale and Skylight Premiere of Sister Act  (April 4 – 27, 2025)!
 
About Skylight Music Theatre
Skylight Music Theatre is a professional theatre company that produces high-quality musical productions that entertain, educate, and inspire. We are committed to providing a platform for local talent and showcasing the best of Broadway and beyond. Founded in 1959, Skylight is Milwaukee’s professional Equity music theatre company and the state's largest employer of Wisconsin actors. Skylight produces the full range of music theatre, from blockbuster Broadway musicals to reimagined operas, and from exciting world premieres to contemporary off-Broadway hits. Skylight’s mainstage home is the Cabot Theatre in the Broadway Theatre Center, which was built by Skylight in Milwaukee’s Historic Third Ward in 1992. Considered to be one of Milwaukee’s most beautiful theatres, the Cabot Theatre is based on the design of an 18th-century French opera house. With just 350 seats it offers audiences great views of the action onstage and an undeniable connection with the performers. Skylight Music Theatre marks its 65th season in 2024-2025. Skylight Music Theatre is a proud Cornerstone Member of the United Performing Arts Fund.