Deborah Samson
worked as a seamstress in 1776 making uniforms for the Continental Army when
what she really wanted was to participate in the Revolution first hand. She
sewed herself a nifty uniform, disguised herself as a man and enlisted in the
Fourth Massachusetts Regiment under the name of her deceased brother. “Robert”
joined General Washington’s troops in Worcester
and set out for New York
where she was wounded (but survived) at the Battle of Tarrytown. Now wouldn’t
you think that the history books would sing the praises of the first woman to
fight in the revolution? Hah!
Jane Staab has
portrayed many roles at the Wheelock Family Theatre which are usually played by
male actors but her Fagan is the first time she’s played a woman masquerading
as a (leading) man. Certainly in Dickens’ time, a woman would never have been
able to head a gang of thieves (or hold her own against a master criminal like
Bill Sykes). Just as it was across the pond a half century earlier for Debora
Samson, women in England
had two basic options: marriage or the street.
Wheelock’s
OLIVER (playing through Feb. 24th) has Staab’s clever twist at the
end to give Fagan, as well as Oliver, a second chance but director Susan Kosoff’s
lively production has even more to make it a must see. First rate performances
make every scene compelling: from Dan Dowling, Jr’s commanding Beadle (his “Boy
for Sale” will give you chills) to Jeffrey Sewell’s charismatic Artful Dodger
(a snappy “Consider Yourself at Home”) to Charlie Clinton’s spunky Oliver (the
sweetest “Where is Love” ever) to Brittany Rolfs’ take charge Nancy (a wild
“It’s a Fine Life”) to Timothy John Smith’s ferocious Bill Sykes (a harrowing
“My Name”).
OLIVER is
brimming with talented character actors like M. Lynda Robinson, Gamalia Pharms,
Deb Poppel, Neil Gustafson and Cliff Odle ---and a fine ensemble who make
Lionel Bart’s musical gleam. (I had forgotten how good it is!) From Charles G.
Baldwin’s smart costumes to Laurel Conrad’s sparkling choreography to Matthew
Lazure’s foreboding London
set, this OLIVER will delight and it will make you think!