'Oliver!' Comes Together Wonderfully at Chatham Playhouse

Over the past four months, Chatham Patch has tiptoed around the Chatham Community Players' production of "Oliver!," attending auditions and several rehearsals, taking notes and lots of pictures, and getting a feel for what putting on a play is all about. On Friday night, we finally got to attend the opening to see how all the disjointed parts fit together into one whole show, and we were so delighted.

"Oliver!", directed by Bobby Cline, stands out with funny performances, solid casting and excellent set and costume design. 

As most of you probably know, the show begins in a workhouse in South London, where a group of orphaned boys anticipate the arrival of their only meal of the day. A strong rendition of "Food, Glorious Food," with 11 orphans thrusting their bowls in and out from their chests and stomping and dancing around good naturedly, balances a depressing subject matter with generous doses of lighthearted humor.

Cline, a professional director, casting director and professor at Pace University, has done an excellent job of casting the show. Widow Corney (Barbi McGuire) and Mr. Bumble (Todd Shumpert), who both run the workhouse, are perfectly cast as the two perpetually mean-spirited—and undeniably sexually frustrated—adults.

McGuire forgoes typical depictions of Corney and dives into flirtations with Mr. Bumble wholeheartedly. The comedic timing between the two, coupled with their obvious chemistry in the song "I Shall Scream," had the the audience, like that other famous Maguire, at hello. 

After Oliver's now iconic request for more gruel, an infuriated Bumble sells the boy (played by Benjamin Errig in Friday's production) to Mr. Sowerberry, an undertaker. Errig, who is nine and has soft features, demonstrated a capability to not overact, especially during his screaming match with Sowerberry.

Oliver escapes from Sowerberry's during the scuffle and meets the Artful Dodger, played by Mitchell Epstein. Epstein is excellent as Dodger, capturing his enthusiasm and charming personality and especially his totally desire to make friends with Oliver. Epstein and Errig's performance of "Consider Yourself" delighted the audience. Those in attendance were even more delighted by Fagin, played by David Cantor—another spot-on casting choice.

Another standout performer was Christina Ryan, who played Nancy.

Nancy enters Fagin's den in a red dress and has long, flowing blond hair. Ryan plays her as an immediately likable best friend type. Later on in the show, when we're introduced to the nasty Bill Sikes (played effectively by Nick Miller), she is vulnerable, hopeful, courageous and defiant.

Ryan captures the nuances of Nancy's personality and situation, helping us understand why she stays with Sikes even though he's abusive. She was especially emotive in "As Long As He Needs Me," which was easily one of the show's best performances.

Costumes by Fran Harrison—coupled with the show's wonderful set design—helped tie the whole program together. Harrison did not skimp on detail, especially in the costumes for the workhouse boys and the outfits for Fagin's gang. The burlap sack outfits of the workhouse boys, the torn shirts and colorful vests of Fagen's gang—it's obvious she put a lot of thought into each individual costume and into the creation of a look for the whole show.

The set's understated simplicity and special details—a moon occasionally lit up from the back wall, and the painted London night skyline was stunning—added another layer of professionalism and sophistication to this already well-crafted and cast show. 

"Oliver!" is playing May 14, 15, 21 and 22 at 8 p.m. and May 15, 16 and 22 at 3 p.m. (the May 15 and May 22 matinees have just been added) at Chatham Playhouse, 23 N. Passaic Ave. Tickets, which are $25 for adults and $23 for youths and seniors, can be purchased online here or at the Playhouse box office, which can be reached at 973-635-7363.