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?”

Christopher Bones as Oliver Twist (Image by: Charr Crail )

The other major child role, The Artful Dodger, is played by Matthew Gumley, a Music Circus veteran (“The Music Man”) and Broadway veteran (original Michael Banks in “Mary Poppins”). His big number is “Consider Yourself.” Matthew Gumley as The Artful Dodger (Image by: Charr Crail) 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.”

Ron Wisniski as Fagin with members of the Music Circus Junior Company (Image by: Charr Crail) Jacquelyn Piro Donovan is well cast as Nancy. She performs beautifully on several songs, including Nancy’s big solo, “As Long as He Needs Me.” Nancy is one of the emotional centers of the play, and Donovan’s performance reinforces that feeling.

Jacquelyn Piro Donovan as Nancy (Image by: Charr Crail) Another well cast actor is Roland Rusinek as Mr. Bumble. Rusinek has a powerful and beautiful voice. He also seems to relish playing such a despicable character.

Christopher Bones as Oliver Twist, Roland Rusinek as Mr. Bumble, Karen Culliver as Widow Corney (Image by: Charr Crail)

The rest of the cast is uniformly good and is made up of mostly Music Circus regulars who have a lot of performing experience elsewhere. Each of the strong ensemble members also perform in character roles in the show.

Jacquelyn Piro Donovan as Nancy, Page Sylvester as Nancy's sister Bet, Aaron Serotsky as Bill Sykes (Image by: Charr Crail)

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.

Christopher Bones as Oliver and the Music Circus Junior Company members (Image by: Charr Crail)

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. They will be excited to see kids their own age performing in an exciting show. For adults, there is a story that has endured through the years for good reasons. There are beautiful, familiar songs and performances by actors of all ages to enjoy.