NCC's production of 'Oliver!' will leave audience wanting more
Family ties are among the dramatic roots of "Oliver!" a musical stage adaptation of Charles Dickens' novel, "Oliver Twist."
The story of an orphaned boy who runs away from a cruel workhouse, finds kinship with a band of street criminals and is whisked to a protected life of privilege by a benevolent, wealthy man, has entertained readers, theater goers and movie fans since Dickens penned the book in the 1830s.
So it's fitting that five of the six members of Naperville's Oechsel family are featured in the North Central College production of "Oliver!" set to open today in Pfeiffer Hall.
The family has spent the past four or five summers working on North Central's community theater productions together, said Chris Oechsel, who plays Fagin, leader of the gang of pickpockets Oliver encounters in London.
Oechsel said major roles require auditions for the North Central shows, where the combined talents of community members, faculty and students are showcased. But chorus members, dancers and minor roles are more plentiful and easier to land, so there's a good chance every family member will get an opportunity to join the cast.
"There's a lot of families that get to participate, get to be together," he said, adding that the Oechsels see theater productions as a sort of summer vacation trip, minus the miles.
"That's exactly why we do it," he said. "The North Central College summer theater stuff is different from anywhere else around."
The family summer tradition started, he said, with one family member's theatrical aspirations.
"My oldest daughter, Erin, did some theater in grade school," he said. When she continued in high school, her younger sisters, Alex and Taylor, wanted to join in, he said.
In "Oliver!" Erin is part of the adult chorus and Alex and Taylor are in the children's chorus. Their brother, Christopher, plays Noah Claypole, a character Oliver meets early on after he leaves the orphanage.
Oechsel said his wife, Beth, is sitting this show out but plans to work on the costuming for North Central's second summer show, "My Favorite Year."
Oechsel said playing the part of Fagin, one of the show's main roles, presents opportunities to sing, dance and deliver a few deliciously comedic lines.
"He's obviously a bit of a corrupter of the young kids and, at the same time, like other characters in the show, he actually has a heart," he said.
The show is directed and choreographed by Brian Lynch, North Central's fine arts director.
"Having somebody like Brian Lynch in charge of it is great because he knows exactly what he wants," Oechsel said.
Lynch said the show's scenes take place in the workhouse, in the streets of London and in the shadowy alcoves that Fagin and his gang inhabit.
"The stage is a little bit introspective, shall we say," Lynch said.
Lynch said the show features a 147-member cast. Several parts are double-cast in an effort to give more actors opportunities to participate.
Stuart Vance, a second-grade teacher at Springbrook Elementary School in Naperville, is one of two Mr. Bumbles.
"He's kind of in charge of the orphanage," said Vance, adding that Bumble doesn't always accomplish his goals. "Bumble is a good name for him."
Like the Oechsels, Vance has been doing summer theater at North Central for five years.
"It's a great experience working with Brian because he has a lot to teach you. It's all about learning for me. There are people that are back year after year," he said. "It really shows what community is about in community theater."
"Oliver!"
When: 8 p.m. today, Friday, Saturday and July 17 and 18; 3 p.m. Sunday
Where: North Central College's Pfeiffer Hall, 310 E. Benton Ave., Naperville
Tickets: $15 for adults, $10 for students and senior citizens
Info: (630) 637-7469 or northcentralcollege.edu