Lauren Davis, Nate Turcotte and Cast

I was delighted, then, that Theater Latté Da and Hennepin Theatre Trust chose Oliver! as the third annual offering in their Broadway Re-imagined series. Launched in 2013 with a solid Aida, followed by last year's extraordinary Cabaret, this series draws on the wealth of Twin Cities musical theater talent, Theater Latté Da's rich esthetic and love for the material, and the resources of the Pantages, one of Hennepin Theatre Trust's beautiful historic stages.

As for the re-imagined aspect of the series, the producers chose a steampunk look for the production. Steampunk is a literary style and a visual esthetic that blends industrial revolution images—think lots of smoke, brick, and ironwork—with notions of a post-apocalypse society. It seems selected to give Oliver!'s Victorian setting a contemporary context.

It turns out, though, that whatever the setting, Oliver! is a show aimed at the heart. Based on Charles Dickens' classic work "Oliver Twist," the musical relates the trials of Oliver, an orphan at a deplorable workhouse from which he is sold for having the audacity to request a second helping of the wretched gruel served. He is taken under wing by the charismatic Artful Dodger and brought to the lair of Fagin, where he joins the ranks of Fagin's gang of juvenile thieves. Oliver's innocence, even in these dregs, touches a maternal chord in Nancy, a woman held captive by her devotion to the abusive criminal kingpin Bill Sykes. Oliver lands in the care of a loving family, and finds the home he has long sought.

Composer, lyricist, and book writer Lionel Bart distilled Dickens' work into a crowd and critic pleasing Broadway show. Bart had other hits in his native England, but none achieved stateside success. Oliver! has terrific, memorable songs, a strong book, and two especially compelling characters: Oliver Twist and Fagin. To succeed, Oliver! requires a winning Oliver and a believably conflicted Fagin, and this production most certainly has both.

Bradley Greenwald is absolutely perfect as Fagin. Though a low-life, Fagin is believably kind to his gang of young pickpockets, certainly offering them more affection than they have known elsewhere in their lives. He treats Nancy with courtesy, in contrast to the brutish Bill Sykes. Still, Fagin is a conniving thief who keeps his own well-being in front of mind. When he deliberates over the prospect of abandoning his criminal ways for a respectable life, Greenwald conveys the real conflict that riddles Fagin. He is by turns funny, fearful, manipulative and heartbreaking. Greenwald's performs his big numbers, "You've Got to Pick a Pocket or Two" and "Reviewing the Situation" to a fare-thee-well.

Nate Turcotte, a sixth grader, is a charming Oliver who sings beautifully, shows spunk in dealing with the riff raff around him, and conveys great joy and gratitude when things finally go his way. His delivery of the plaintiff "Where is Love?" is truly lovely; his turn in "I'd Do Anything" conveys his innocent belief in the virtue of kindness, in contrast to the Dodger's mocking tone; and in "Who Will Buy?," he touches our hearts with his discovery of a safe harbor from his stormy life.

Adding to the occasion, Alec Fischer is a terrific Artful Dodger, singing with gusto, nimbly dancing, and presenting a face of jocular bravado that reveals the fears within when the going gets rough. Lauren Davis is impressive as Nancy, with the acting chops to dish out the forced merriment of "It's a Fine Life" and "Oom-Pah-Pah," to convey her tortured dependency on Bill Sykes, and to reveal her inner core of tenderness that prompts her to risk everything for Oliver's sake. Only her delivery of "As Long as He Need Me" falters, showcasing her vocal belt over the song's tender and revealing lyrics.

Dieter Bierbrauer is one of the best musical theater talents on our stages, but his Bill Sykes fails to provide the necessary menace. The naturally sweet tones in his voice undermine his signature song, "My Name." In truth, the elaborate dreadlocks and chains of his costume are more fearsome than his performance. James Ramlet is strong in voice ("Boy for Sale") and gives a steely presence to Mr. Bumble, overseer of the workhouse.

The remainder of the ensemble perform take on various roles as well as choral duties. The singing marketers in "Who Will Buy?" create a lovely aural landscape for Oliver's hopeful message, though missing is the exuberance that typically is generated by that musical number. The song is performed without a dance, and overall, the choreography is more subdued than typically seen in Oliver!.

The eight young men who perform as Fagin's boys do a great job overall, singing well, bringing personality to their parts, and dancing with panache when the opportunity arises. In contrast, the Minnesota Boy Choir, as the workhouse boys, distract from the production. Though they sing the opening "Food, Glorious Food" in beautiful voice, there is no feeling attached to it. They do not seem truly hungry or to savor the feast they sing about, and this gets the show off to a slow start. Community engagement by way of such partnerships is laudable but in this case does not serve the needs of the show.

The elaborate steampunk costume designs also do not really serve the needs of the show. Clearly, a vast amount of talent and money went into the elaborate costumes and wigs, and they certainly provide a lot to look at. But Oliver! works because it gives us a lot to feel, with those feelings reinforced by its wonderful songs. To a degree, the design, while wildly inventive, draws attention to itself in ways that distract from, rather than strengthen, the story.

The set design, also steampunk in its look, is a different matter. A single environment ringed by balconies and stairways is used, with flourishes moved in or dropping down to give just enough suggestion of the different locations—such as a clothesline of stolen pocket handkerchiefs for Fagin's lair, gilt-framed paintings for a well-to-do household. It is a good example of "less is more."

Without question, Oliver! is a grand show, one that can be enjoyed over and over. Its score is an example of a Golden Age musical that holds up well, and its story can be counted on to stir the heart. Theater Latté Da's effort to bring it up to date with a new look is admirable, but is not the ticket to a winning Oliver!. Fortunately, with the strong lead performances and gold star material to work with, this Oliver! remains well worth seeing.

Oliver!, a co-production of Theater Latté Da and Hennepin Theatre Trust, continues through March 1, 2015 at the Pantages Theatre, 710 Hennepin Avenue, Minneapolis, MN. Tickets: $41.75 - $77.13. For tickets call 612-455-9525 or visit www.hennepintheatretrust.org/events.

Book, Music & Lyrics: Lionel Bart; Director: Peter Rothstein; Music Director: Denise Prosek; Choreography: Michael Matthew Ferrell; Scene change music arrangements: Aron Accurso; Music Director and Costumer: Lori Maxwell; Set Designer: Rich Polenek; Costume Designer: Christine A. Richardson; Co-costume Designer: Alice Fredrickson; Lighting Designer: Paul Hackenmueller; Sound Designer: Alex Ritter; Production Manager: Dylan Wright; Production Stage Manager: Tiffany K. Orr

Cast: Braxton Baker (Noah Claypole, Ensemble), Dieter Bierbrauer (Bill Sykes), Lauren Davis (Nancy), Alec Fisher (The Artful Dodger), Lolly Foy (Widow Corney, Ensemble), Brian Frutiger (Mr. Sowerberry, Old Lady, Ensemble), Bradley Greenwald (Fagin), Janet Janson (Mrs. Bedwin, Old Sally, Ensemble), Jill Iverson (Bet, Ensemble), Lamar Jefferson (Dr. Grimwig, Ensemble), Kim Kivens (Mrs. Sowerberry, Ensemble), James Ramlet (Mr. Bumble, Ensemble), Bill Scharpen (Mr. Brownlow, Ensemble), Jacob Stein (Delivery Boy), Angela Steele (Charlotte, Ensemble) Nate Turcotte (Oliver Twist).

Fagin's Boys: Henry Constable, Billy Dunlap, Jonah Harrison, Sam Kellar-Long, Parker Miller, Duncan Reyburn, Jacob Stein, Alejandro Vega

Workhouse Boys (Minnesota Boy Choir): David Barchuk, Aedan Barnes, Andrew Barnes, Cormac Calcaterra, Leo Dworsky, Gregory Forsberg, Robert Forsberg, Bennett Gilson, Colin Graham, Jack Hanna, Ethan Hautman, Andrej Jumiston, Aidan Kimberley, Evan Kraft, William Langason, Anders Lien, Quintin Moothedan, Ryan Moothedan, Charles Nykamp, Daniel Nyamp, Charles Potjer, Aaron Ropers-Huliman, Ethan Schaner, Austin Sween, Henry Sween, Per Swenson, Conner Werl

Photo: Heidi Bohnenkamp

- Arthur Dorman

Also see the season schedule for the Minneapolis - St. Paul region