Enjoy Oliver! with a Twist

The streets of London comer alive in Lincolnshire with Lionel Bart's OLIVER! now playing at the Marriott Theatre through December 29. This delightful Tony Award-winning musical is based on the classic Charles Dickens novel, Oliver Twist and opened on Broadway in 1963.

Set in the 1800's, OLIVER! tells the story of a poor orphan in a workhouse who gets sold to an undertaker but runs away and joins a gang of young thieves, led by the miserable Fagin. When Oliver is captured for a theft he did not commit, the benevolent victim, Mr. Brownlow, takes him into his care and senses a kinship with the boy. Fearing his operation will be revealed, Fagin gets the sinister Bill Sikes and the sympathetic Nancy to kidnap him back.

Nominated for the Best Musical Tony Award in 1963, OLIVER! features a host of beloved songs including "Food, Glorious Food," "As Long as He Needs Me," "Consider Yourself," and the title song, "Oliver!" You'll find yourself singing along throughout the show.

The "twist" is that this is the largest cast ever on the Marriott Theatre stage! OLIVER! stars Kai Edgar and Kayden Koshelev in the lead role, William Brown as "Fagin", Lucy Godinez as "Nancy", Patrick Scott McDermott as "The Artful Dodger" and Dan Waller as "Bill Sikes."

Lucy Godinez, last seen in the Marriott production of "Footloose," is once again, magnificent. Her strong, powerful voice belts it out when she needs to, yet she portrays Nancy with compassion and love. One hopes to see more of her on the Marriott stage. McDermott is delightful, showing his proficiency as an actor as he grows. No matter who you see as Oliver, both little boys are charming little imps with sweet voices.

OLIVER! is directed by eight-time Jeff Award winner for Outstanding Direction, Nick Bowling, with musical direction by Jeff Award winner Ryan T. Nelson and choreography by Jeff Award winner Brenda Didier. As always, the costumes by Sally Dolembo are authentic and beautiful, highlighted by the colorful Victorian dress worn by Nancy. Musical supervision by Patti Garwood.

"Dickens' original story is a critical examination of the living conditions in Victorian England and the enormous gap between the haves and have nots. He gives us light and dark in equal measure to heighten his incredible story of an orphan who finds his home," said director Nick Bowling.