Fagin (Neal Benari) instructs his young charges - including Oliver (Joseph Medeiros, far right) - how to "Pick a Pocket or Two" in the Sacramento Music Circus' production of Oliver!, under the tent through Aug. 3. Photo by Steve Kolb
Consider yourself part of the family! Music Circus' fourth production of the year is the classic adaptation of Charles Dickens' tale of Oliver Twist - a 19th century orphan and his adventures on the streets of London.
This is the seventh appearance of Oliver at the Music Circus, first appearing over 30 years ago in 1966.
It may well be the best production to date this year at Music Circus with a talented cast that made the musical flow so easily it was as if you were on the streets right along with the young Twist.
Winning over the audience early was a polished performance by the young actor Joseph Medeiros. Medeiros, originally from Modesto, has already made his way across county to star on Broadway in Big - The Musical.
Medeiros may also be remembered by Music Circus fans as the young actor who portrayed Winthrop in 1995's The Music Man under the Sacramento tent.
It's really difficult to say who stole the show in Monday's opener in downtown Sacramento. Neal Benari's Fagin was nothing less than perfect; Jeffrey Skowron played a delightful Artful Dodger; Ray Friedeck and Brenda Cox as Mr. Bumble and the Widow Corney were the early comical favorites; Dink O'Neal and Michele McConnell as the demented undertaking husband and wife Mr. and Mrs. Sowerberry; and Jack Ritschel, who has endeared himself to Music Circus fans over the past few years, played a perfect Mr. Brownlow - Oliver Twist's loving grandfather.
This was my first time seeing Oliver! and the experience was truly magic. With the exception of a few "opening night" flubbed lines that temporaily broke the spell, the story was so captivating that it made you forget these were actors on the stage.
Despite young Medeiros' truly fine performance as Oliver, the night probably belonged to Benari's Fagin. His on-stage expressions and movements portrayed his character perfectly - sometimes evil and greedy, sometimes warm, often fatherly to his young group of pick-pocketing children.
The songs were also a delight, especially the opening number, "Food, Glorious Food," sung as the group of boys who live in the workhouse march around and over the dinner table.
"That's Your Funeral," "Pick a Pocket or Two," "Where is Love," and, of course, "Consider Yourself" were all crowd favorites.
There's no point in re-telling the story of Oliver! here. It has been around long enough in books, movies and stage that everyone knows what it is about.
But the 1997 Music Circus' production of this classic has to be one of the best ever produced and is a tale that the whole family can enjoy. Oliver! runs through Aug. 3 with nightly performances at 8 p.m. through Saturday, and Sunday at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available at the Music Circus box office, 1419 H Street, Sacramento, or by calling (916) 557-1999 or BASS Tickets at (916) 923-BASS. Tickets range in price from $20-$38, with half price for children under 12.
