The Players’ first ever presentation of Lionel Bart’s Oliver! will be remembered for its elaborate “downtown London” set constructed out of scaffolding. The multi-level set provided choreographer Guy Caridi with a greater palette on which to create lively, big show-stopping dance numbers. The set also provided a great backdrop for breathtaking fight scenes.

Oliver!was directed by Craig Schieber, choreographed by Guy Caridi, beautifully costumed by Mary Duckering and music directed by Ellen McLain Lowrie. Steve Rose designed and was in charge of building the complex scaffolding set. Debbie Valenta, keyboardist extraordinaire, was ably assisted by her son Ben as percussionsit and page turner.

This well-crafted tale of love, hope and dreams (based on the novel, Oliver Twist, by Charles Dickens), engaged the audiences with its pathos and drama, while delighting everyone with its outstanding musical numbers. As the show opened in 1830’s London, we met orphaned Oliver Twist (Susan Coran) looking for love  .  .  . and a little more to eat. Taken under the collective wing of wily Artful Dodger (Ian Gilmore), tender-hearted Nancy (Lee Ann Hittenberger), and greedy Fagin (Alan Wilkie), found a place to belong in a band of sneaky, young pickpockets. The ever-popular Tony Award-winning score included such musical theater classics as Food, Glorious Food, I’d Do Anything, Where is Love?, Consider Yourself, Who Will Buy and Reviewing the Situation.

Our large cast of 51 included 31 youth under the age of 18 who added lots of energy to the show. Pushing the limits of child labor laws, this enthusiastic group of young actors sold colorful show handkerchiefs and allowed the audience to “pick pocket” them from their sleeves and pockets during intermission! The roles of Noah Claypole (Cooper Harris-Turner), Charlie Bates (Evan Randall), Charlotte (Ariana Taylor-Stanley) and Bet (Amy Beth Lindvall) were played by Kitsap Forest Theater teen veterans who brought their experience and talents to these named character roles. Our Oliver, Susan Coran, a hard working sixth grader, willingly cut off her beautiful dark brown hair to play this role.

Mr. Bumble (Scott Baker) and Widow Corney (Julie Haakenson Wenzel) – two of the nicest human beings on earth with fabulous voices – played the wicked orphanage tyrants that the audience loved to hate! Mr. Sowerberry (Tom Randall) lifted the audience with his beautiful performance of “Boy for Sale.”

Ken Michels, who convincingly played Bill Sykes, also choreographed the scarily realistic fights with Lee Ann Hittenberger. These two old friends worked tirelessly to create the final fight scene in which Nancy dies. Their skill and trust in one another inspired and instructed this young cast in the ways of safe but convincing stage combat. There were many conversations among the cast and crew about violence against women that led to the Players donating one-half of their intermission proceeds to the YWCA Alive Program of Kitsap County – a program providing services and resources to individuals and their children affected by domestic violence.

2407 audience members attended the 8 shows.