Church Hill Theatre gives spirited production of 'Oliver!'

By JACK SHAUM Staff Writer, The Bay Times
Published: Wednesday, June 16, 2010 7:45 AM CDT

CHURCH HILL Theater-goers looking for a lively, well-acted, well-sung and well-directed musical need look no further than Church Hill Theatre and its outstanding current production of Oliver! directed by Sylvia Maloney.

The show is based on Charles Dickens' 1840s-era novel about the child workhouses of London and a gang of young pickpockets overseen by old man Fagin, himself a lifelong petty thief. Young Oliver Twist, a refugee from the workhouses, finds himself a part of Fagin's crowd and encounters adventure, but is ultimately reunited with his kind grandfather.

Oliver! was adapted from Dickens' book by English composer and lyricist Lionel Bart, who created a memorable score with such landmark songs as Where is Love, As Long as He Needs Me, Food, Glorious Food and many others. It has long been a landmark of musical theater.

As with all Church Hill productions, the actors, production personnel and musicians come from throughout the Mid-and Upper Shore region and they put on a thoroughly entertaining show Saturday night.

Oliver is portrayed by 11-year-old Kellan Paddy, a student at Centreville Middle School who has performed at the Kennedy Center and Chesapeake College, in addition to Church Hill. He gave a solid, thoroughly self-assured performance.

Michael Whitehill is a veteran of Church Hill Theatre and provides a winning performance as Fagin – one moment quite humorous and the next moment quite dark. He is a master of the voice inflection and twinkle in the eye.

Brian Whitaker brings an excellent sense of comic timing and fine singing to his interactions with the widow Corney, played with panache by Jane Copple. Their scenes together are among the funniest in the show.

The cast is a large one. A number of players take on more than one role, and everyone brings energy to the musical and dance numbers.

The seven-member orchestra under the direction of Brittney Lynn was busy throughout the show, not only with all the song numbers, but with the various interludes that were played during scene changes. The instrumental performances were all top-notch.

Of particular interest among the sets was the large painting of Dickensian London that formed the backdrop for the stage. It was beautifully executed and gave a real sense of being there. The only thing missing was real smoke from the chimneys. Fagin's lair with its fireplace was also well executed and its lighting helped convey just the right atmosphere for it.

An evening or afternoon spent with "Oliver!" at Church Hill will be an evening or afternoon well spent a thoroughly delightful production.

"Oliver!" is playing on June 18, 19, 25 and 26 at 8 p.m. and on June 20 and 27 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for students.

The theater phone number is 410-758-1331. The fax number is 410-758-8711, and the e-mail address is officechurchhillthe atre.org.

The theater's web site is www. churchhilltheatre.org. It is located at 103 Walnut St. in Church Hill.