IN THE CITY
Cook’s coaching ‘eard in Lyric’s ‘Oliver!’ By Johnnie-Margaret McConnell For POP
The family classic “Oliver!” opens Lyric’s summer season this week at the OKC Civic Center. Rena Cook’s dialect coaching is front and center. From Fagin to the entire children’s ensemble singing, the deep English accents sustain throughout the two and a-half hour production. Director Michael Baron’s priority of developing the authentic 19th century London dialect in his entire cast along with Lee Savage’s breathtaking floor to rafter brick workhouse gives the production an air of authenticity. Lionel Bart’s 1960 musical is based on Charles Dickens’ 1838 novel, “Oliver Twist.” The musical features the fairy tale story of 10-year old Oliver. No living parents, Oliver is sold from the workhouse when he asks for more food only to run away from his new owners. Oliver then falls under the spell of the Artful Dodger’s illusion that the streets of London will provide freedom and security only to find he’s joined a group of young pickpockets. Arrested on his first try, the twist for Oliver comes when his arrest results in finding his long lost uncle. Lyric opens every summer season with a family musical. Bart’s beloved 50-year old classic includes many new numbers for those of you have seen it before, along with many that have become musical theater staples; “Food, Glorious Food.” “I’d Do Anything,” “Where is Love?” “You’ve Got to Pick a Pocket or Two,” “It’s a Fine Life” and “As Long As He Needs Me.” Norman’s Eaton P. York is a member of Lyric’s Teen Chorus. His name is familiar because many of us have seen York grow up under the lights at Sooner Theatre and now Norman High School. York plays a leading in the opening number “Food, Glorious Food”. Playing the role of a workhouse supervisor, York moves his assigned child workers about the stage in
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Dirk Lumbard stars as Fagin in Lyric’s production of “Oliver!” smooth succession from the food line to the dining table without missing a beat. Over fifty children are part of Lyric Theatre’s 10th annual Thelma Gaylord Academy 2-week summer camp. Oliver! stars Edmond’s Sam Brown and OKC’s Campbell Walker Fields. Both embody their characters, so much so that when Fields surprisingly jumped from the pit orchestra and began to saunter about the stage, he caught the attention of the entire room before he even breathed a word. Unlike the abuse their characters endure as 19th century homeless children, Brown and Fields are amply supported by several adults. Dirk Lumbard returns this summer to play the conniving Fagin. His tall lanky body is light as he pops about the stage gently caressing his “children” as he encourages their criminal behaviors. Clearly and quickly articulating the title of the song “You’ve Got to Pick a Pocket or Two” in two steady beats, Lumbard hypnotizes us all
Friday, June 24, 2011
under this spell. Eleasha Gamble plays his former child thief Nancy who is still under his powers. While Lumbard’s speech patterns for Fagin has an underlying staccato, Gamble’s voice is full. Her sung words strike the tone and then hover for a bit as if in a short tunnel. The “Oliver!” cast is filled with several OU musical theatre majors and graduates line up the cast; Perry Sook, Jamard Richardson, Alie Walsh, Ryan Fitzgerald, Cory Lingner, Allynn Delaney, Alicia Clark and Eloise Kropp. “Oliver!” runs Wednesday and Thursday nights at 7:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m. at the Civic Center Music Hall, 201N. Walker Ave. in Oklahoma City. To purchase tickets visit www.lyrictheatreokc.com, call 524-9312, come by Lyric Theatre’s ticket office, 1727 N.W. 16th St. in Oklahoma City; or call the Civic Center Box office at 297-2264 or 800364-7111.