White Plains Performing Arts Center Does It Again With Oliver

By Gary Chattman

In the recent years of the American musical theatre we have witnessed the channeling of famous authors “writing” American musicals. We have seen “Les Miserables,” compliments of Victor Hugo; “Man of La Mancha”, courtesy of Miquel de Cervantes, and in 1962, “Oliver”, by Charles Dickens.

Now, at the White Plains Performing Arts Center, the county’s newest professional theatre in New York, we are greeted by singing urchins, asking us to “Consider Ourselves” at home. And we are definitely feel that way.

This production, which Variety called in 1963 “One of the smasheroo hits of recent seasons,” is one of the best of  White Plains’ recent history. The audience empathizes with the young orphan Oliver, played with a sincerity and determination by David Gabriel Lerner, who is so mischievous that he actually begs, “Please sir, can I have some more?” He is asking this of the bumbling, hypocritical Mr. Bumble, played as a buffoon by Roland Rusinek. Bumble proceeds then to tell London that he has a “Boy for Sale.” This sets the stage for the misadventures of the young orphan, sold for a mere pittance, who ends up as one of a sordid group of pickpockets. He meets the ringleader—a highly polished crook named Fagin—and Bill Sykes, who is the embodiment of the evil of Victorian England. He is then redeemed by the goodness of a redeemed wretch named Nancy, and Oliver then finds his true home, and destiny.

I have purposely skipped mentioning the main three members of this cast that make the show memorable: a leader of the young pickpocket troop, the Artful Dodger, as played by Jason Edward Cook. Mr. Cook dominates the stage with his dancing, singing and charisma. He brings to mind a young Tommy Steele, or a shorter Tommy Tune. Another highlight of this production is the singing of Natalie Venetia Belcon, who, as Nancy, stops the show each time she appears. The character of Fagin, played with a twinkle-of-the-eye, by Sidney Burgoyne, takes charge of the stage (and of the audience) whenever he appears. When Mr. Burgoyne tells us that he is “Reviewing the Situation”, we can even empathize with this scoundrel!

The character of Bill Sykes, played by Christian Whelan, succeeds in showing the sordid side of the character of a society characterized by the “haves” and the “wants”. For this play, he serves the purpose of moving the play towards denouement, but is not delineated well enough by the book.

The real star of this show is the director Luke Yankee, who has fashioned a dynamic, musical entertainment, which is a credit to the theatre here in Westchester, who, for its short history, has a wonderful success in reproducing Broadway musicals of high caliber. The set (with its Victorian English motif) is inspiring, the costumes by T. Michael Hall, lighting by Thom Weaver and the musical direction by Christopher D. Littlefield are first-rate.

In conclusion, visit “Oliver.” You’ll consider yourself at home, and you’ll “Be Back Soon” to the White Plains Performing Arts Center!

Oliver plays at the White Plains Performing Arts Center through December 14, 2008