Oliver!
at Aliso Niguel

Reviewed on April 21, 2018

NameSchoolPublication/Broadcasts
St. Margaret's Episcopal
Orange County Register
La Habra
OC Cappies Facebook
San Juan Hills
OC Cappies Facebook



Keely Yeargin
St. Margaret's Episcopal

Submitted for publication to Orange County Register

Olly Olly "Oliver!" at Aliso Niguel
written by Keely Yeargin, a junior at St. Margaret's Episcopal School

A rag-tag group of pickpockets, an orphan, and a murder—"Oliver!" is morbid, grim, and achingly human. Aliso Niguel's production of this Dickensian classic follows Oliver Twist, an orphan, as he goes from orphanage to funeral home to the underbelly of London, wide-eyed all the way.

The titular Oliver, played by Sandra Jovanovic, is naive and childlike. Wide-eyed under a pageboy hat, Jovanovic is hesitant and fiery in turn, contracted into herself one moment and then strong, all clenched fists, the next.

Kaitlyn Elpedes' The Artful Dodger, one of the leaders of Fagin's gang, is exuberantly comical, almost cartoonish. Elpedes is a stand-out with her knack for physical comedy and gruff voice. Whether in the background or the forefront, Elpedes is always doing something—puffing her chest, tipping her chin or hat, tugging her jacket's lapels. As for the Dodger's leader, Luke Colombero as Fagin is believably ancient, clutching at his hunched back. His voice is mournful yet still playful in "Reviewing the Situation," the show's closing song.

The antagonist, Bill Sikes (Tyler Owings), is, frankly, terrifying. Owings visibly shakes in anger, huffing like a wolf. His eyes gleam maniacally in the light. His lover, Nancy (Laura Kim), is lovely; Kim's vocals are superbly sweet, commanding the stage with somber eyes and voice in "As Long as He Needs Me." Though shaky at times, most everyone sticks to their British accent, Kim and Elpedes especially.

The set, designed by students, is remarkably versatile and always on the move; the set could change from a bridge to a basement and back, with only minimal adjustments. The running crew, who were tasked with those adjustments, did exceptionally well, working fast in the short time given.

The costumes, make-up, and hair, all student-done, worked in conjunction to make the characters believable. With grime smudged on their cheeks, gaunt hollows brushed into their faces, and patched, dirty, torn clothes, the crew made Victorian London come to life.

All in all, "Oliver!" is not just about an orphan boy on the streets—its about finding family, blood or not, and loving them all the same.

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Madeline Crisp
La Habra

Submitted for publication to OC Cappies Facebook

Aliso Niguel's "Oliver!" is simply glorious
written by Madeline Crisp, a sophomore at La Habra High School

Bringing the classic Dickens novel to life, Aliso Niguel High School presents an energetic production of "Oliver!", showcasing the power of love and light.

As orphan Oliver Twist encounters misfortune and characters of complexity, he wonders where he will find the love of his own family. The unified ensemble brings togetherness and vibrancy to the show with strong vocals and consistent accents.

Sandra Jovanovic plays Oliver Twist with a quiet strength. Her closed-off body language and soft voice convey her character's uncertainty, while her wide eyes express innocence and attentiveness to the scene. In each of the chase sequences, she easily maneuvers all obstacles onstage, nimbly sliding between her castmates.

The resilient Nancy is intelligently portrayed by Laura Kim. Commanding the stage with authority and dedication, Kim's wide vocal range and beautiful tone are standout elements of the show. As she throws her arms up at the end of "Oom-Pah-Pah," she provides a contrast to the vulnerability she displays in a moving rendition of "As Long As He Needs Me."

Kaitlyn Elpedes is unforgettable as The Artful Dodger. She lovably over-exaggerates her quick and buoyant movements, and her fiery personality and cocky strut consistently make her presence known.

Aaron Pelt and Salina Chin, as Mr. Bumble and Widow Corney, respectively, successfully provide the heavy plot with comic relief. Pelt's booming mannerisms and occasional grin complement Chin's shrill voice and precise movements.

Samantha Burton radiates joy and commitment as the Rose Seller. Her reactions and facial expressions constantly reflect the words of the songs, and she believably relates with the others onstage, smiling from ear to ear.

Fagin's Gang is a continual source of playfulness and enthusiasm. Each member creates their own character dynamics and is full of unyielding energy.

The hair and makeup, artistically designed by Olivia Callaghan, reflects the time period and living situation of the characters. Kim receives a large bruise on her face after being hit by Bill Sikes, played by Tyler Owings, which serves as a symbol of his abuse.

Aliso Niguel's "Oliver!" emphasizes the power of light amidst the darkness of life, as well as the importance of friendship, made evident by the cohesiveness of the cast and crew.

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Olivia Fu
San Juan Hills

Submitted for publication to OC Cappies Facebook

Aliso Niguel Delivers Oliver! With 'Oom-Pah-Pah'
written by Olivia Fu, a senior at San Juan Hills High School

Amid the gloom and bleak circumstances faced by street urchins in mid-19th century London, Aliso Niguel's Oliver! shines a light on how happiness can be gleaned from discovering one's family, blood related or not.

Sophomore Sandra Jovanovic is striking as Oliver Twist, her posture and flighty physicality as she darts around the stage revealing Oliver's cynical distrust from growing up destitute and hungry, while her curious gazes and innocent timbre in "Where is Love?" conveys Oliver's remaining desperate hope for a family.

After escaping the clutches of the macabre Mr. and Mrs. Sowerberry (Mateo Yepiz and Rachel Williams), Oliver encounters the garish Artful Dodger (Kaitlyn Elpedes) on the streets of London. Elpedes' extravagant gait and boisterous personality provide welcome comic relief throughout the dark show, and her conviviality is amplified by the natural chemistry and devil-may-care attitudes of the rest of the pickpocket boys.

Luke Colombero shines as Fagin, the crafty, roguish leader of the pickpocket gang. His deviance as a thief is undercut by his tenderness towards his young followers, and in his strident vocals as he decides to straighten out his life in "Reviewing The Situation (Reprise)." By contrast, the criminal Bill Sikes (Tyler Owings) becomes increasingly terrifying throughout the show, his imposing physique trembling with anger as his booming voice raises to a shout in "It's a Fine Life (Reprise)."

Still, it's Laura Kim who steals the show through her adept portrayal of Nancy, a beloved older member of Fagin's gang and Bill Sikes' abused wife. From her light-hearted teasing in "I'd Do Anything" to her heart-wrenching belts in "As Long As He Needs Me," Kim maintains Nancy's undying loyalty to the gang and to Bill, despite it leading to her violent murder.

Praise is also due to the versatile set design, which allows the set to encompass the distinct geographical landscape of London, and highlights the major disparities in wealth of this era.
The makeup design similarly accentuates each character's age, social class, and experience, particularly with Fagin's large forehead and eccentric hair, and Nancy's pronounced bruise.

Also noteworthy, the orchestra poignantly establishes the mood, with choppy, ominous chords underscoring Bill's entrances and jocular harmonies setting the atmosphere in the group numbers.

Aliso Niguel's take on this grimy tale makes pointed criticisms at the injustices of society during this time, while cherishing the importance of family and strong communities.


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