‘Oliver!’ offers much to enjoy> Army of children highlight of production at the Grand

“Oliver!” which opened last weekend at the Grand Auditorium in Ellsworth, is not a feel-good musical. Loosely speaking, it’s about child abuse, violence against women and ill-tempered poverty. And there’s a rags-to-riches plot line, too. Sound Dickensian? Well, yes, it is, of course. But just for the sake of the 20th century, let’s throw in a little anti-Semitism, a suicide, a murder and a few memorable showtunes, and you pretty much have the foundation for Lionel Bart’s 1963 Broadway hit. It’s worth noting that “Oliver!” is one of a handful of oldtime musicals, including “Oklahoma!” and “Carousel,” with a death in it. The killing in “Oliver!” however, is particularly brutal.

The producers would like you to know, I’m sure, that everything turns out more or less OK in the end and that there’s a lot of fun in between these scenes. But, to my tastes, it’s not an easy road for the street folks in this adaptation of a Charles Dickens novel. So let’s get this fact right out on the table: This is not my favorite musical. Frankly, I’d rather listen to the sugar-coated soundtrack from the 1968 movie. Call me sentimental. Tell me I’m taking it all too seriously. But I just don’t like this messy dysfunctional stuff in my musicals.

Despite all that PC bosh, “Oliver!” still has some of the best moments in that great old American tradition and has some of the sparkly musical gems of that 1960s era. “Consider Yourself,” “Where Is Love?” “Pick a Pocket or Two,” “I’d Do Anything,” “It’s a Fine Life” and “Be Back Soon” are all about as hummable as music gets.

Probably the best known song from “Oliver!” is “Food, Glorious Food,” and director Ken Stack capitalizes on the darling beauty of a cast of children during this number. One boy is so small he seems just recently adjusted to the practice of walking. Others are equally cute in their give-all marching and prancing and singing. If your eye stays dry through this opening scene, you’re a Scrooge if there ever was one.

The characters of Nancy (played feistily by Anne Bahr), Bill Sikes (growled out by Eric Henry), Fagin (given gumption by Harris Strong), Mr. Bumble and his wife (bawdily performed by David Closson and Cushing Samp) and Oliver (waifishly presented by Toby Poole) are terrifically written — and probably as much fun for actors to shape and for audiences to watch.

The army of children that comes and goes through various set changes and thematic mood shifts is the highlight of this production. Among the adults, there are no real stand-out stars. But among the children there is the dapper Graham Platner as the Artful Dodger. Platner is one of those rare young people who can find a sophistication and manner far beyond his years. He’s graceful, alert and confident, and you can’t help but want more of him.

In some places, this production of “Oliver!” is lackluster. Ken Stack has done all he can to make the show move along, and music director Robert Bahr has done a fine job keeping the orchestra up to speed. But it’s often a strain to hear the actors in both spoken and sung lines, and there’s a sense that the performances never really let go. Linda Grindle’s costumes are mostly luscious, and Art Bousquet’s set makes an impressive number of smooth changes to depict spots around London in the early 1800s.

Although opening night was canceled, the rest of the weekend performances were warmly received by packed houses of people who love this musical. And it’s true: There’s much to enjoy here. But, for me at least, “Oliver!” has a bit too much of a nasty twist to it.

“Oliver!” will be performed 8 p.m. Nov. 21 and 22, and 2 p.m. Nov. 23 at the Grand Auditorium in Ellsworth. For tickets, call 667-9500.