OLIVER TWIST is Mid Michigan Family Theatre's second show at their new, roomy, theatre inside the Alfreda Schmidt Southside Community Center — and the extra space is welcome for this large cast of 37. This show well represents Mid Michigan's mission to include all ages and family members, with many brothers and sisters and parents (including my stellar daughter and grandson, Emily and Anderson Stevens!)
Kudos to director Bill Gordon for commandeering such a large collection of fledgling thespians, with a few more experienced actors thrown in for good measure. Young "veteran" actor Forrest Colson, well remembered from LCC's Ragtime, played the beleaguered title waif, with excellent diction and projection. It was fun to see Riverwalk's "Bill Sykes," Robin Harris, reprise his evil role 12 years later. Our four-year-old cousin/brother audience members' favorite part was the villain's run through the audience with little Oliver slung over his shoulder. In general, however, I would not recommend this show for preschool age. It is somewhat long for a children's show (an hour and a half) and the pacing is not fast or animated enough to keep very little ones focused. It is a charming show, however, with adorable orphan/pickpockets and a creative use of projections to help with the many scene changes.
NOTE that the times were incorrectly publicized in an erroneous news release that was repeated in the State Journal.
Saturday and Sunday shows are at 3pm. The only 7pm show left is on Friday, Feb. 22. Shows run through Feb. 24.
$7 for students and adults and $5 for preschoolers available at the door.
Alfreda Schmidt Southside Community Center is the former Hill H.S. on Wise Road, south off Jolly, between MLK and Waverly). Park on the south side of the building and enter at the southeast corner with all the windows.
www.mmft.net
Kudos to director Bill Gordon for commandeering such a large collection of fledgling thespians, with a few more experienced actors thrown in for good measure. Young "veteran" actor Forrest Colson, well remembered from LCC's Ragtime, played the beleaguered title waif, with excellent diction and projection. It was fun to see Riverwalk's "Bill Sykes," Robin Harris, reprise his evil role 12 years later. Our four-year-old cousin/brother audience members' favorite part was the villain's run through the audience with little Oliver slung over his shoulder. In general, however, I would not recommend this show for preschool age. It is somewhat long for a children's show (an hour and a half) and the pacing is not fast or animated enough to keep very little ones focused. It is a charming show, however, with adorable orphan/pickpockets and a creative use of projections to help with the many scene changes.
NOTE that the times were incorrectly publicized in an erroneous news release that was repeated in the State Journal.
Saturday and Sunday shows are at 3pm. The only 7pm show left is on Friday, Feb. 22. Shows run through Feb. 24.
$7 for students and adults and $5 for preschoolers available at the door.
Alfreda Schmidt Southside Community Center is the former Hill H.S. on Wise Road, south off Jolly, between MLK and Waverly). Park on the south side of the building and enter at the southeast corner with all the windows.
www.mmft.net
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