Lionel Bart's Oliver!
at Albert Einstein High School

Reviewed on March 9, 2019

Maddy Rubin
Langley High School
Submitted for publication to Cappies News

Oliver, glorious, Oliver! Albert Einstein High School's production of Oliver! asks you to "consider yourself at home," and enjoy a night out on the streets of London. Based on the novel by Charles Dickens, Lionel Bart's musical retelling boasts three Tony awards and Academy Award winning film adaptation.

When a young orphan by the name of Oliver Twist (Carl Parkin) dared to ask for some more gruel, he finds sold away from the workhouse he's known all his life. Soon, Oliver finds himself on the street, where he encounters various members of London's low-life. Featuring large musical numbers and a cast of eccentric characters, Albert Einstein High School's production of Oliver! takes the audience back to Dickensian London, where one boy searches for a home amongst thieves and crooks.

After meeting the flamboyant pickpocket known as "The Artful Dodger" (Aryana Briner), Oliver finds himself in the center of London's criminal underbelly. Dodger introduces him to the elderly and eccentric crook Fagin, played by Austin Patterson, who takes Oliver under his wing and teaches him to how to pickpocket. Patterson expertly played both lead character and comic relief, as well as having the audience in stitches as he gallivanted across the stage, trombone in tow. Oliver charms Nancy (Raviv Levone), one of Fagin's charges and the wife of the ferocious robber Bill Sikes (Matthew Bué). Levone portrays the genuine heartbreak of a woman both lost and in love; her clear voice striking haunting chords in the audience's hearts. Bué plays a terrifying counterpart to her as his imposing frame casts a shadow across the stage. When Oliver is arrested, Sikes and Fagin race to kidnap him back before the final showdown on the London Bridge.

Albert Einstein's production of Oliver! also featured a sizable ensemble of dancing drunkards, preteen pickpockets and well-to-do townspeople. The ensemble featured many talented vocalists, as well as several skilled dancers. Every member of the cast sported various British accents consistently throughout the show. Furthermore, the musical prowess of the student orchestra was on full display in every song, as well as in beautiful violin solos.

Vibrant and villainous, Albert Einstein High School's production of Oliver! will leave you asking for more.

Maddie Gold
Woodrow Wilson High School
Submitted for publication to Cappies News 2

For anyone looking for a laugh, Albert Einstein's delightful performance of "Oliver!" has got you covered! Based on the Charles Dickens novel and musically adapted by Lionel Bart, "Oliver!" follows the story of a young orphan, Oliver Twist, as he goes from home to home, eventually falling in with a group of pickpockets. The young cast of "Oliver!" brought their best energy to the stage as they portrayed both the comical and more serious elements of the classic battle between good and evil.

Setting the scene for a grueling house of hungry orphans and proving versatile for smooth set changes, the set was artfully designed and impressively executed in a manner appropriate for both the time period and mood of the show. Filling this space with their enthusiasm was the lively ensemble of the show, singing longingly for their food, glorious food. Leading the pack as Oliver Twist, Carl Parkin gave a heart-warming performance, hitting the nail on the head with his portrayal of such a young child using both his body language and soft voice.

In contrast with soft, sweet Oliver, Fagin, the leader of the band of pickpockets (Austin Patterson), commanded the stage with his exploding energy and over-the-top mannerisms, providing the show with a source of comedic entertainment. He left every audience member smiling as he led the excited bandits through "You've Got to Pick a Pocket or Two," and most notably when he surprised the audience with his impressive trombone skills. He partnered well with Aryana Briner, The Artful Dodger, as she was able to match his energy with her great excitement.

Adding to the comedy in the show, Mr Bumble (Steven Franco) and Widow Corney (Andie Bisk), the previous owners of Oliver, displayed charisma in their craft, as they worked with each other to make each of their scenes believable and entertaining. They achieved this through their comedic timing and stellar improv.

The musical elements of this show were not to be overlooked. Raviv Levone, playing the part of Nancy, showcased her dynamic, alto voice in both the ballads and uplifting songs. Her smooth vocals and belts added depth and emotion to the show as she sang about being blindly in love with her criminal partner, Bill Sikes (Matthew Bué). Bill brought out the evil in the show, as every time he came on, the lighting changed to an appropriate red. He utilized his commanding voice to build a frightening presence, which paired well with Nancy's more compassionate side of the relationship.

As a show set in England, accents are a key part of "Oliver!" and the cast did not fail to use these accents with comfort and verve. The large ensemble impressively sang with a unified accent, transporting the audience to England with them. In addition, characters such as Fagin and Mrs. Sowerberry (Adrianna Quaide) created their own unique accents and never broke character, a daunting task for even professional actors.

Albert Einstein's talented cast proved that there is always something new to bring to a show even as well-known as "Oliver!" They brought their enthusiasm, energy, and passion to the stage and gave an incredible performance of the classic story of Oliver Twist.

Alex Yee
Chantilly High School
Submitted for publication to Patch.com

As I'm "Reviewing the Situation" – the Situation of my feelings that is – I have to "Consider [My]self" quite content, due to Albert Einstein High School's elaborate performance of the classic musical "Oliver!" by Lionel Bart.

"Oliver!" is a musical adaptation of Charles Dickens's timeless novel "Oliver Twist." It debuted first in the West End on June 30th, 1960, running for 2,618 performances, and then later moved to Broadway on January 6th, 1963, where it ran for 774 performances, and closed November 14th, 1965.

Albert Einstein took stuffy English standard and added a dash of good ol' American style to it. The ensemble numbers were bright and cheery, and the performance of a certain thief (who shall remain nameless - for now) kept the audience enraptured. Regarding technical elements, the set and props were the most notable to me; the students' attention to detail and obvious hard-work in realizing the many set pieces came off excellently. I was effortlessly absorbed into the harsh underbelly of 1840's England.

As far as leads go, the obvious standout performer, the cream of the crop, the crème de la crème, was Mr. Austin Patterson, in the role of the pickpocket king: Fagin. The subtleties of his comedy, whether it be his stature or hand movements, his accent or ad-libs, contributed to a performance that, in my humble opinion, stole (pardon the pun) the show. For instance, within the musical soliloquy "Reviewing the Situation", in which Fagin doubts the merits of his life of crime, Mr. Patterson played convincingly his serious inner conflict, without sacrificing any of his brilliant comedic talent. Bravo!

While the leads are usually dominant, in this show the supporting players are not to be discounted. To prove this, in a scene with the newly wed Bumbles, played by Mr. Steven Franco (Mr. Bumble) and Ms. Andie Bisk (Widow Corney), there appeared unexpected improvisational virtuosity. Throughout the show, Widow Corney stores objects within her *ahem* brasserie, and within one scene, she needed to store a locket. However, when time called for her to reproduce it, it had unfortunately (or fortunately?) fallen farther than she expected. Impressively, both actor and actress demonstrated dedication to the trade, and without missing a beat, Ms. Bisk turned, comically fumbling for the locket, interjecting side-splitting ad-libs, as Mr. Franco chivalrously raised a cape to protect her modesty. You really had to be there. It was a hoot and a half.

Technically, Albert Einstein has some talent! The lighting team had a great creative decision to use the cyclorama lights (backdrop lighting) to reflect the changes of mood onstage. For example, when the villainous Bill Sikes (Matthew Bué) stormed in, the lights became a deep red. When the Fagin's Boys romped around for "You've Got to Pick a Pocket or Two", they were a bright orange.

Albert Einstein, thank you. You provided the audience with "Food, Glorious Food" – musical food that is – and I'm truly lucky to have been a witness.

Lila York
Chantilly High School
Submitted for publication to Maryland Theater Guide

Thievery. Hunger. Murder. These three simple words make up Oliver Twist's life as soon as he pleads "please sir, I want some more." With catchy songs and flashy choreography, Albert Einstein High School's production of Lionel Bart's Oliver! will leave you saying just that; minus the thievery, hunger, and murder after of course.

With music and lyrics by Lionel Bart, Oliver! Is based on the book "Oliver Twist" by Charles Dickens. Winning the Tony Award for Best Musical Score in 1963, this classic musical features chipper songs that the audience will be humming for weeks.

As the dramatic fog sets the stage in Victorian England, the audience meets the orphaned boy Oliver Twist. As he navigates through London, Oliver gets entwined in the tricky art of pick-pocketing for the outlandish Fagin. Along his journey, he meets a variety of people such as the charismatic Artful Dodger, warm-hearted Nancy, and the dangerous Bill Sikes. With a hint of crime, Oliver searches for a family, a home, and, most importantly, love. With strong leads, impressive technical elements, and a little "Oom Pah-Pah" Albert Einstein's Lionel Bart's Oliver! beautifully demonstrates the struggles of love and life.

Waltzing on stage from first to last line is Fagin (Austin Patterson). With gray hair, an eccentric personality, and contagious energy, Patterson charmed the audience in every scene. With a trombone in hand, Patterson perfectly portrays the interesting character dealing with the conflicts of thievery. As he faces this, Nancy (Raviv Levone) elegantly captures the harshness of blind love. Levone's passionate acting and powerful vocals in the moving song "As Long as He Needs Me" causes a wave of emotion to pass through the audience.

Working for Fagin with a sweet voice is Oliver Twist (Carl Parkin). Parkin flawlessly portrays the spirit of a scared 11-year-old boy just trying to find love in an intimidating world. Right by his side is the spritely Artful Dodger (Aryana Briner). With electric energy, Briner truly captures the spirit of a young boy filled to the brim with enthusiasm. However, every story has to have a villain and Matthew Bué (Bill Sikes) does an astounding job. Always with a metal bar in hand, Bué's frightening performance sparks fear throughout the auditorium. Throughout this musical, the large ensemble brings to life busy London. Whether in the bar, on the street, or in an orphanage, the ensemble brings energy to the stage along with harmonies and dances.

Meanwhile, backstage, the technical elements were equally as amazing as onstage. Under the swift stage management (by Zahava Frank) and wearing costumes to blend in, the stage crew briskly changes scenes. The lighting (by Sachi Sakaniwa and the AEHS Lighting Team) portrays the mood of every scene phenomenally. By changing the colors of the cyclorama, the lighting team evoked emotion in every scene beautifully. Additionally, the elaborate props (by Melanie Kroon and AEHS Props) such as a paper mache cake and life-like fire enhances the show.

With energetic leads, an engaging ensemble, and a powerful plot, Albert Einstein High School's production of Lionel Bart's Oliver! leaves the audience saying "‘I'd do Anything' to see that show again!"

Erin Mullins
Lake Braddock Secondary
Submitted for publication to Nucleus

Across the busy streets of London, voices cry out as street vendors sell their products, but amid the hustle and bustle of the daily life lies an unseen society that questions commitment and conformity. Albert Einstein High School's production of Lionel Bart's Oliver! is one that calls attention to moral ambiguity while simultaneously encouraging the audience to sing and dance along with the performers.

Oliver! is a musical by Lionel Bart that is based off of the book Oliver Twist, written by Charles Dickens. The story follows Oliver, an orphan boy who escapes from his neglectful employers and travels to London, where he finds himself caught up in a pickpocket operation with a group of other street dwellers. As Oliver tries to find a life for himself, he and his new friends work to outsmart complex adversaries, and create the family they have been deprived of.

Overall the cast performed with energy that continued to increase throughout the show. Featuring consistent and convincing British accents, the large ensembles took on many musical numbers and showed dedication to their roles as they sang and danced across the stage and through the aisles.

Raviv Levone, who played Nancy, performed with deep emotion and showcased impressive vocals, delivering several heartfelt songs, including the attention grabbing number "Oom Pah Pah." Levone worked well opposite Matthew Bué, who played Nancy's significant other, Bill Sikes. The two shared good chemistry, and the doomed nature of their relationship was established by the obvious love yet discontentment between them, making the tragic ending even harder to watch.

Austin Patterson, who performed as the kooky pickpocket Fagin, brought a freshness to the stage that never faltered. His body language and mannerisms accentuated his character's quirks, and his excellent comedic timing kept the audience excited and present in the story. Singing in multiple songs, Patterson pulled the audiences attention with his vocal abilities and his surprising trombone playing.

A notable aspect of the production was the use of the lighting of the cyclorama (Sachi Sakaniwa) to enhance the mood of the musical. With each scene change, the cyc would shift to a number of different colors to reflect what was taking place in the show. Included in these colors were red to signify danger, and a yellow-green to be associated with distrust and sickness. The ever-changing lighting created a seamless effect, and resulted in an atmosphere that submerged the audience into the setting of the story. Along with the lighting shifts, the impressive stage managing (Zahava Frank) was quick and fluid, with the stage crew in period-accurate costumes so as not to distract from the actors. Though the efficiency was noticeable, the set changes themselves were subtle and seemed to finish just as easily as they began.

Albert Einstein High School's production of Oliver! was an enthusiastic take on a timeless classic. With enjoyable musical performances and heart tearing scenes, Albert Einstein proves that perhaps it can indeed be a fine life after all.

Sophie Camus
McLean High School
Submitted for publication to Nucleus

"Where is Love?" This query propels the pure heart of "Lionel Bart's Oliver!," as it examines life's dichotomy of cruelty and loveliness in a manner which had Albert Einstein High School's audience begging, "please, may I have some more?"

This prized British musical is based upon Charles Dickens's Oliver Twist, reimagined with music and lyrics by Lionel Bart. Premiering in the West End in 1960, "Oliver!" garnered befitting esteem, winning a Tony and later, Academy Awards for its 1968 film adaptation. This harrowing tale became an irreplaceable facet of British pop culture, and for good reason. "Lionel Bart's Oliver!" Follows a mistreated orphan, Oliver Twist (Carl Parkin), as he navigates London's underbelly of pickpockets and criminals in search of a place to call home. Unforgettable numbers, such as "Food, Glorious Food" and "You've Got to Pick a Pocket or Two" were splendidly interwoven.

Picking these pockets (or two) was the electrifyingly kooky Fagin (Austin Patterson), who operated with comedic grace, whimsical physicality and a stage presence enviable by any performer. Side-splitting moments of eccentricity include his hysterically enunciated "Reviewing the Situation" and an unanticipated, but uproarious, trombone solo in "Oom Pah Pah." One of few performers to match Fagin's skill was Raviv Levone, playing Nancy. She soared in "As Long as He Needs Me" and "Oom Pah Pah," employing her booming voice and flawless cockney inflection.

The choice of an ambitiously large ensemble paid off well for Albert Einstein High School. "Food, Glorious Food" was triumphant, thanks to its enormous procession of orphans, made up partially by middle schoolers, accurately portraying youth's vulnerability. The Widow Corney (Andie Bisk) exemplified quick theatrical instinct, timing her jokes with impeccable cadence and hilariously recovering from a mishap with a prop locket, whilst cracking jokes, with her accent in-tact.

Technical aspects of the show were thorough and transporting and elevated "Lionel Bart's Oliver!" Lighting was imaginative, particularly in the use of the cyclorama, which was bathed in shots of vivid color, such as the hopeful apricot of Oliver or the bloody red of Bill Sikes. Transitions proved to be seamless, aided by the fact that the run crew was costumed appropriately and was able to maneuver set pieces while other action took place; this also was a testament to the organization of the show's stage management. Props provoked wonder in the audience and showed clear innovation. All flames within the show were spectacularly lifelike, whether heating a cauldron of gruel or warming malnourished pickpockets.

Upon "Reviewing the Situation," it is evident that persistence and devotion were poured into "Lionel Bart's Oliver!" These students captured the intent of Charles Dickens, exploring how kindness can assuage depravity in anyone, from an offbeat old crook, to an abandoned child, and reminding us that love, in anyone, is the greatest catalyst of change.