Oliver! – Musical – Review – Reboot Theatre Company & Theatre Off Jackson

@showsiveseen "Oliver!" #musical by @Reboot Theatre Company at Theatre Off Jackson. Novel bold English adult punk aesthetic was a refreshing contrast from the traditional casting with children. Starring @ankit_madhira as #oliverTwist. The toned Tommy Beale charismatically portrayed The Artful Dodger. Closes this weekend! #Review: showsiveseen.com/12311 Photos: Colin Madison Director: Scot Charles Anderson Music Director: Sam Peters Choreo: Annalisa Brinchmann Stage Manager: Michael Latham #CharlesDickens #Dickens #theatre #showsiveseen ♬ Food Glorious Food – Peter Pan Singers and Orchestra

Elevator Thoughts (aka Tweet): Oliver! musical by Reboot Theatre Company at Theatre Off Jackson. Novel bold English adult punk aesthetic was a refreshing contrast from the traditional casting with children. Starring Ankit Madhira as Oliver Twist. The toned Tommy Beale charismatically portrayed The Artful Dodger.

Recommendation:
See it if you enjoyed Annie or any other iteration of the classic Oliver Twist story.


Was This the First Time I Attended a Production of this Show? Yes

Would I See It Again 3 Years from Now? Yes, if it was a professional production

Mainstream Appeal: Medium

My Synopsis (No Spoilers): In search of a better life, a poor English orphan joins a gang of street urchin thieves, leading him on an unexpected journey.

Synopsis from the Licensor or Theatre Company: Reboot Theatre Company, in association with Theatre Off Jackson, present a bold, reimagined production of Lionel Bart’s OLIVER! with a radical new ‘Twist’. Directed by SCOT CHARLES ANDERSON (Reboot’s 110 in the Shade), music direction by SAM PETERS (Reboot’s Jesus Christ Superstar), and choreographed by ANNALISA BRINCHMANN (Reboot’s Damn Yankees, Rocky/Dance Captain).presents the musical adaptation of Charles Dickens’ Oliver Twist explores themes of social inequality, exploitation, and youthful rebellion in Victorian London’s gritty underworld. Our fresh, edgy interpretation highlights identity, found family, and resilience as orphan Oliver navigates a world of pickpockets and criminals, finding unexpected friendship amidst danger.

Type: Musical

World Premiere: No

Several or Few Scenes: Several

Several or Few Settings/Locations: Several

Static (Stationary) or Dynamic Set: Mostly static

Prior Exposure/Knowledge Required: No, but you’d probably appreciate this show more if you’re remotely familiar with the classic Charles Dickens tale.

Defined Plot/Storyline: Yes

Live Band/Orchestra: Yes

Union Actors: None

Total Actors: 13

Perceived Pace of the Show: Medium speed

Was there an intermission? Yes

Length (Including Any Intermission): 2.5 hours

Other Rave(s)

  • Punk Vibe: The costumes, scenic design, promotional artwork, and dramaturgical displays uniquely embraced a retro anarchistic English punk rock aesthetic, reminiscent of the Sex Pistols, Green Day (albeit American), or the 2021 Cruella film.
  • Adult Casting: I was relieved that this production chose not to cast any child actors. I find children’s performing abilities tend to be less developed, or they rely too much on the cute factor. Traditional Oliver! productions (and similar shows like Annie) often employ child actors, but this adult casting choice adds a fresh dynamic of flipping the bird to childhood innocence. This artistic decision strangely reminded me of the hilarious “black Annie” sketch from SNL.

Rant(s)

  • Vocal Range: There were multiple noticeable instances when the actors strainingly sang an octave too high or too low from their optimal vocal range. This was likely due to two factors: 1) many songs in the score were written for children’s vocal range in mind 2) and Reboot Theatre Company typically intentionally casts actors in roles that differ from the actors’ birth gender, which can sometimes affect vocal compatibility. Transposition is the key!

Theatre Company: Reboot Theatre Company

Venue: Theatre Off Jackson

Venue Physical Address: 409 7th Ave S, Seattle, WA 98104

Price Range: $35

Ticket Affordability Options: You can self-select the $10 price point.

Seating: General Admission

Parking: Paid street parking is usually available north of the theatre on the hill close to the park. You can also try free parking on Jackson Street under/past the I-5 bridge, though it’s a dodgier area. As usual, there are paid parking lots nearby as well.

Like/Comment/Share my Social Media Posts About this Performance:

Buy a Ticket or Learn More:

Pictures: See production pictures below by Colin Madison Photography.

Cast and Production Team: See after pictures below.

Jasmine Joshua as Fagin (center) in OLIVER! at Reboot Theatre Company.
Marnie Wingett as Widow Corney, Sean Vale as Mr. Bumble, and Ankit Madhira as Oliver in OLIVER! at Reboot Theatre Company.
Ankit Madhira as Oliver and Tommy Beale as Dodger in OLIVER! at Reboot Theatre Company.
Steven Rigaux as Bill Sykes in OLIVER! at Reboot Theatre Company.
Alegra Batara as Nancy (center) in OLIVER! at Reboot Theatre Company.
The cast of OLIVER! at Reboot Theatre Company.
The cast of OLIVER at Reboot Theatre Company.

Cats – Musical – Review – Woodland Park Players

@showsiveseen Congrats to Woodland Park Players for selling out the closing weekend of their Andrew Lloyd Webber "#Cats " #musical production. Tatianah Summers shined as Grizabella singing the seminal "Memory" song, while Trina Nguyen’s Mr. Mistoffelees dazzled the audience with fantastic dance moves. #Meow! #Review : showsiveseen.com/12227 Photos: Colin Madison Director: Ruben Van Kempen Musical Director: Paul Linnes Choreo and Associate Director: @Natalya Czosnyka Stage Manger: Mackenzie Breda Producer: Linda Joss Production Manager: Clara King #theatre #showsiveseen #felines #meow #cat #feline @Andrew Lloyd Webber Musicals ♬ Prologue: Jellicle Songs For Jellicle Cats – Andrew Lloyd Webber & "Cats" 1983 Broadway Cast

Elevator Thoughts (aka Tweet): Congrats to Woodland Park Players for selling out the closing weekend of their Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Cats musical production. Tatianah Summers shined as Grizabella singing the seminal “Memory” song, while Trina Nguyen’s Mr. Mistoffelees dazzled the audience with fantastic dance moves. Meow!

Recommendation:
See it if 1) you want to support community theatre, 2) you like cats, 3) or you enjoy vignette-like musicals such as You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown.


Was This the First Time I Attended a Production of this Show? No, I previously saw the national tour.

Would I See It Again 3 Years from Now? No, twice is enough for me.

Mainstream Appeal: Low to medium

My Synopsis (No Spoilers): A band of stray cats compete for the opportunity of reincarnation to another realm. Each feline shares their unique story through song in a musical spectacle.

Synopsis from the Licensor or Theatre Company: Based on T.S. Eliot’s whimsical collection of poems, Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s popular musical brings together a tribe of Jellicle Cats on a moonlit evening, who must make the “Jellicle choice” to decide which of them will ascend to the mysterious Heaviside Layer to be reborn. Featuring such celebrated standards as the haunting “Memory,” Cats was an international phenomenon and its original production is still the fifth-longest-running show on Broadway. A magical, moving, and often hilarious glimpse into the lives of others, Cats takes Eliot’s lyrical poetry and puts it into the mouths of a diverse company of singing, dancing felines.

Type: Musical

World Premiere: No

Several or Few Scenes: Several

Several or Few Settings/Locations: One

Static (Stationary) or Dynamic Set: Mostly static

Prior Exposure/Knowledge Required: No

Defined Plot/Storyline: Not really. It was more a collection of songs showcasing on the unique personality of each cat.

Live Band/Orchestra: Yes

Union Actors: None

Total Actors: Too many to count

Perceived Pace of the Show: Medium speed

Was there an intermission? Yes

Length (Including Any Intermission): 2 hours

Other Rave(s)

  • Grizabella: Tatianah Summers captivated the audience as Grizabella, the worn old has-been cat. The crowd went wild as she soared through the climactic “touch me” verse of the iconic “Memory” song.
  • Mister Mistoffelees: Among all the dancers, Trina Nguyen stood out the most with the polish and presence of a professional musical theatre dancer. She exuded commanding energy like a performer in the Chicago musical. It was no surprise to later learn that she is a dance instructor and actually recently led a Chicago dance workshop.
  • Rotating Stage: It was impressive to see a community theatre production implement a rotating stage, complete with a rising interior tier reminiscent of Broadway’s recent Cabaret production.
  • Favorite Song: Aside from the classic “Memory” song, my favorite number was one with the tap dance sequence early in the show, featuring a trio of tight female harmonies. What can I say? I have a soft spot for tap dance breaks in musical theatre!

Other Musing(s) and Observation(s)

  • Cast Size: It’s remarkable how they managed to fit such a large cast onto the small stage with full choreography. To accommodate the full cast choreography sequences, many extended breaks spilled into the aisles and onto the audience.
  • Feline Interjections: I don’t recall as much meowing and hissing from the national tour cast. It could be polarizing. Some may find it cute, while others might feel it’s rabidly excessive.
  • Audience Reaction: The high school theatre girls seated near me were absolutely ecstatic, while gasping, oohing, aahing, and ohmigod-ing at every turn. At one point, one girl excitedly shared that she was “lightheaded” and “literally shaking,” even going so far as to imply this production rivaled The 5th Avenue Theatre’s recent Waitress. As someone who sometimes leans into a more “okay calm down” cynicism, it’s oddly refreshing to observe young people with such enthusiasm and optimism for community theatre.

Theatre Company: Woodland Park Players

Venue: Shoreline Community College Theatre

Venue Physical Address: 16101 Greenwood Ave N, Shoreline, WA 98133

Price Range: $30

Ticket Affordability Options: You can self-select the $20 price point.

Seating: Assigned Seating

Parking: Free parking

Like/Comment/Share my Social Media Posts About this Performance:

Buy a Ticket or Learn More:

Pictures: See production pictures below by Colin Madison Photography.

Cast and Production Team: See after pictures below.

Preview Post – Oliver! – Musical – Reboot Theatre Company & Theatre Off Jackson

Oliver! musical by Reboot Theatre at Theatre Off Jackson. If you want tickets, don’t wait for my full review since the show closes next weekend! #oliverTwist #charlesDickens

Tickets: https://reboottheatre.org/oliver-2025

Final Full Review: https://www.showsiveseen.com/oliver-musical-review-reboot-theatre-company-theatre-off-jackson/

Like/Comment/Share my Social Media Preview Posts About this Show:

Preview Post – Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon: The Super Live – Musical – Paramount Theatre

Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon: The Super Live musical national tour at the Paramount Theatre brought by Seattle Theatre Group. Next up in Spokane (3/27/25) & Portland (3/29/25). Stay tuned for my full review! #SailorScouts

Tickets: https://sailormoonsuperlive.com/

Like/Comment/Share my Social Media Preview Posts About this Show:

Preview Post – Jersey Boys – Musical – Village Theatre

Happy opening weekend to Village Theatre’s Jersey Boys musical production. Performing in Issaquah till 4/27/25 and then in Everett till 5/25/25. Read my full review coming soon! #JerseyBoys #fourSeasons #4Seasons #frankieValli

Tickets: https://villagetheatre.org/shows/jersey/

Like/Comment/Share my Social Media Preview Posts About this Show: