Oliver!

Really? I love OLIVER! It especially plays well when the darker aspects of the musical are emphasized (the Sam Mendes production was a wonder to behold).

I certainly enjoy it better than ANNIE, which really grates my nerves.

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I don't agree. That refers to the first post.

I totally agree...the songs I find mediocre with the exception of As Long As He Needs Me. As for the book, it probably would have been better off if a child wrote it. Even with the best production of the show, I found the script/book/music still terrible.

You mean you don't like such gems as "Who Will Buy?", "Consider Yourself," "I'd Do Anything," "Where Is Love?", "Food, Glorious Food," and "That's Your Funeral"?

If anyone wants a good recording of OLIVER, check out the 1996 Cameron Mackintosh London recording (the production directed by Sam Mendes). The new arrangements are energetic and lush, and the kids singing aren't grating at all.

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Updated On: 2/24/05 at 12:35 PM

The great Jonathan Pryce is brilliant on the Mendes version recording. I wish I could have seen him.

I think OLIVER! is one of the best shows ever written. I was in a production 5 or so years ago, and it was amazing - actually, the kids were anything but annoying.

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I like Oliver! and think that most of the music in it is terrific. "Consider Yourself", "Where Is Love", "Food - Glorious, Food", "I'd Do Anything", "Pick a Pocket or Two", "Oom Paa Paa", "Who Will Buy" and "As Long as He Needs Me" are all outstanding songs. Unfortunately, the production of Oliver! that hit Atlanta last year was sub-par. The fellow who played Fagan was particularly weak which brought down the whole production. Conversely, the kids were actually pretty good and the kid who played Oliver was an excellent dancer for his age.

::wishing I saw Dam Edna in that::.. Personally I like the show overall "if" it has a strong cast. Like Annie, young Oliver has to be believable, childlike as well as have the little chops to pull off his songs. Artful Dodger,Fagin and Nancy, Bill Sikes all should be top notch. I too heard Pryce was delightful.
When that's in place, Oliver has a lot of appeal. The big choral numbers can be very entertaining. And the dark struggle between Nancy and Bill Sikes should be directed properly for the best balance of emotions.

The non-Equity tour I covered in Philly was sorely lacking in casting. The only stand out character was Artful Dodger. However the choral numbers "Who Will Buy" and "Consider Yourself" were wondeful. Sets and staging were top of the line.

I think the score is lovely too. Just my view.

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the original Sam Mendes production of OLIVER! at the Palladium was brilliant. ANNIE is waiting for that kind of adaptation as well...

I've always wanted to see a sequel to Oliver where he is a Lord in Parliament. The Artful Dodger comes up to him one afternoon when Oliver is exiting his gentlemen's club and does a reprise of "Consider Yourself"

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Oliver! used to be my favorite show, but then I got older and listened to RENT for the first time and fell in love with it. I wouldn't really call Oliver! annoying, but it is a little on the boring side. But I can listen to the song "Oom Pa Pa" about 100 times in a row and never get tired off it.

It's a kid shows, but the adult roles are brilliant. In my school's revue, 3 girls did Fine Life and it was SO FUN to watch. Following them, was a brilliant actor singing Reviewing the SItuation and was just phenomenal.

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