Oliver!

New England Youth Theater produced the musical Oliver! this past weekend, and Ellen and I went to a 7p.m. performance on Sunday. We had a special reason to go - Peter and Mary Alice Amidon's grandson, Desmond (son of Stefan Amidon and Zara Bode), was cast in the lead role of Oliver Twist. He may have been the youngest actor in the whole show, but he did well. We have heard him sing many times at church. I like Oliver as a musical - John was in it in a community production in Appleton, WI back in 1972 or so (he was ten or eleven years old) and think there was a high school production when John was at BUHS. We've also seen a previous NEYT production. The choreography was especially good in this one. The soloists were all capable, but none stood out - if anyone did, it was Nancy. Fagin was played by a girl, and she did well with a very demanding role. Desmond did himself proud and it was most enjoyable throughout. I was in the front row and practically in the play itself. I snuck a few photos - didn't want to be a distraction.

"Food, Glorious Food"

Work House Gang

"Will You Buy?"

Oliver with Artful Dodger