Contry Music Lyrics

Music Circus Production of "Oliver!" Features Junior Company Members

Each season, Music Circus produces a musical that includes a large number of actors from California Musical Theatre’s Music Circus Junior Company. This years’ production is “Oliver!” Lionel Bart’s highly successful musical based on the Charles Dickens classic “Oliver Twist.”

“Oliver!” with music, lyrics and book all by Bart, originally opened in London in 1960 and Broadway in 1962. It has seen numerous revivals powered by mega musical producer Cameron Mackintosh, first in 1977, last in 2009, both in London and on Broadway. It was a highly successful movie adaptation, winning six Oscars. This is Music Circus’ eighth production of the musical.

Christopher Bones, a veteran theater and TV actor already at age 13, faithfully portrays Oliver Twist. He does a nice job on “Where Is Love?”

The featured actor in the production is Ron Wisniski, no stranger to Music Circus audiences. Last year he was in “Spamalot,” “Oklahoma” and “Funny Girl” as Florenz Ziegfeld. He has appeared in six other Music Circus productions, numerous national touring shows and over 150 plays and musicals across the country. He portrays Fagin with a good mixture of threats and demands for his boys while also showing caring and concern. It is great to hear Wisniski’s voice on several songs, including Fagin’s solo, “Reviewing the Situation.”

The real stars of the show to the many family members and friends are the 38 members of the Junior Company. They perform as members of Fagin’s gang, orphans and town children and cockneys. The Music Circus Junior Company staff of director Gail Dartez, choreographer Marcy Goodnow, musical director Graham Sobelman and vocal coach Rebecca Plack have done a wonderful job working with these kids to create a very professional performance.

Richard Stafford directs and choreographs the show to the high Music Circus standards with flair.

The whole production crew has created an experience with the great look and sound that their audience expects. In fact, much of the audience is most likely so used to the level of quality that these talented individuals create week after week that they have become a little spoiled by the high production standards.  

This is a great show for children. There are some dark and bawdy elements to the show, so the family guide recommends the show for children 8 and older.

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