By Craig Horleman

MILFORD — It took some time, but Oliver Twist has finally found himself at the Riverfront Theater.

The Tony- and Oscar-winning musical “Oliver!” comes to the Second Street Players’ stage for three weekends, starting Friday in Milford.

And none too soon, one of its directors notes.

“We were supposed to do it two years ago. We’d had our first production meeting. We had people in place. We hadn’t started auditions yet. But we were totally ready to get started, and then, COVID hits — and then, we couldn’t do it last year because it was still up in the air. So it’s been two years,” said Melissa Brenner, who is co-directing the show with Steven Haber.

Based on the Charles Dickens book and set to music, the streets of Victorian England come to life, as Oliver, a malnourished orphan in a workhouse, becomes the neglected apprentice of an undertaker. Oliver escapes to London and finds acceptance among a group of petty thieves and pickpockets, led by the elderly Fagin.

When Oliver is captured for a theft that he did not commit, the benevolent victim, Mr. Brownlow, takes him in. Fearing the safety of his hideout, Fagin employs the sinister Bill Sikes and the sympathetic Nancy to kidnap him back, threatening Oliver’s chances of discovering the true love of a family.

The score includes such songs as “As Long As He Needs Me,” “Where Is Love?” “Food, Glorious Food,” “Consider Yourself,” “Who Will Buy?” and “I’d Do Anything.”

In a bit of a gender swap for the Milford show, Oliver will be played by 12-year-old Alayna Pastor. In fact, all five of the orphans are played by girls.

Ms. Brenner said you can chalk that up to the pandemic.

“Originally, two years ago, I was teaching improv in all of the elementary schools. So I had a bunch of boys that couldn’t wait to come out. And then, you know, two years later, they’re too old for it. And we only had girls. So that’s been a challenge. We envisioned having like 12 orphans, but they’re wonderful orphans that we have. We just say the other ones got adopted,” she joked.

“We almost had to switch to ‘Annie’ after all of those girls showed up.”

For Alayna, this is her first big part in a play, having only performed in the ensemble for last year’s “Aladdin Jr.” at Milford Central Academy, where she attends school.

“I didn’t know what I was going to get. I basically auditioned for whatever, but I really wanted to audition for Oliver. And then, later on, I got the part, and I was thrilled,” she said.

The title role is a demanding one, with a few songs, lots of choreography and the weight of the show on her tiny shoulders.

“The hardest part has been the music and the lines and maybe even the blocking a little bit. Because I’m not really used to all these lines because I only had a few in ‘Aladdin Jr.’ I was an apple vendor,” Alayna said.

But Ms. Brenner said Alayna was the perfect choice to play the plucky orphan.

“She has a tremendous voice and just takes direction beautifully and learns the choreography. She’s got a future. She came in and blew us away — she and her little sister, Farah (who plays one of the orphans),” the director said.

“They came in, and they both sang, ‘Where Is Love?’ from ‘Oliver!’ So they were very familiar with the music, and they were the best of the best. It was hard to pick. We had quite a few contenders.”

Alayna said she has been singing ever since she can remember. And luckily, the musical director of “Oliver!” Chris Myers, is also the director of the Milford Central choir, of which she is a member.

She said she was somewhat familiar with the story of “Oliver Twist” but not so much the musical.

“Basically, I didn’t really know about the story that much until I actually got the part and I started rehearsing. For the audition, I actually watched the movie. Well, half of the movie because I thought it got a little violent at the very end,” she said.

Ms. Brenner said that, despite some adult themes, the show is for everyone.
“It’s a family show, even though it’s about pickpocketing, alcoholism and domestic abuse. So except for those three things,” she said, with a laugh.

Playing the villainous Fagin is stage veteran John Hulse. He was last seen at Second Street a few months back as Hercule Poirot in Agatha Christie’s “Murder on the Orient Express.” He is also set to direct another musical for the players, “Peter and the Starcatcher,” in September.

“I was going to have a gap in between ‘Murder’ and ‘Peter.’ And the first night of auditions, there weren’t a lot of people. I was talking to Gina (Shuck), the director of ‘Murder,’ and I mentioned that I would love to do Fagin, and I think she talked to Melissa, and she said, ‘Have him come out.’ So I came out, and I sang some little ditty, and the next thing I know, I’m here,” he said.

Mr. Hulse added that it’s been a great experience working with an all-ages cast of just over 20.

“The kids are really, really endearing. They’re such good, hard workers and just fun to be around. And some of the adults, we’ve done a gazillion shows together, and the ones that I haven’t, I’m finding out (that,) somehow, our paths haven’t crossed, but we have 50 or so people that we are mutually friends with. This is why community theater is so much fun because you have relationships that you just build on,” he said.

Fagin’s right-hand man is Jack Dawkins, known in the show as the Artful Dodger. He is the leader of the gang of child criminals employed by Fagin and into which Oliver falls in line.

He is played by Brandt Stevenson, a rising junior at Polytech High School most recently seen playing the Wizard in The Children’s Theatre production of “The Wizard of Oz.”

“It has been really fun. Obviously, my character is more for comic relief. I probably have more fun than others, but it’s a lot of fun just experimenting with jokes that I can do and the big dances. All of the people have been really nice, as well,” he said.

As the Artful Dodger, Brandt leads a dance scene to the familiar tune of “Consider Yourself.”

“It’s a big number for me and everyone here because everyone has a part in that. There’s one part where we do a circle, and if one person is messing up, everyone’s messing up. So it’s a group effort. And so far, everyone’s been great, and it’s been a lot of fun,” he said.

All performances of “Oliver!” will be at the Riverfront Theater, 2 S. Walnut St., and are scheduled three weekends — Friday through Sunday, plus July 15-17 and 22-24.

Friday and Saturday shows begin at 7 p.m., and Sunday shows start at 2 p.m.

Seats are $25 with a $1 discount for seniors, military personnel, students and Second Street members. To purchase tickets or for information, visit here, email info@secondstreetplayers.com or call 302-422-0220.