No Need to 'Pick a Pocket or Two' Because 'Oliver!' Isn't That Pricey

Directing a show isn’t easy, and neither is acting in one. So imagine how tough it is to do both.

That’s the challenge Mark Carovale faces as he not only directs “Oliver!” at the Brundage Park Playhouse in Randolph, but also stars as Fagin. Pulling double duty is something Carovale has done on occasion, usually if an actor gets sick during a run, but it’s not his preference.

“It’s not something I like to do, because you then can’t watch the show during performances and correct things that may be wrong," he said. "In the case of this show, my choreographer [Frank J. Burns Jr.], who is also a close friend, watches for me and comes back with notes about the performances. It’s always good to have someone you can rely on to watch if you can’t.”

Making Carovale’s job—or make that jobs—easier are his love for the show and his familiarity with it.

“I have done ‘Oliver!’ many times before, having played Mr. Bumble, Sowerberry and Fagin,” he said. “It is one of my favorite shows. The music is wonderful and you know people will go away humming some number from the show.”

It’s also a favorite of audiences. Based on Charles Dickens’ “Oliver Twist,” the show was written by Lionel Bart and follows the title character (played by Alicia Vega) as he escapes a London workhouse and joins a gang of thieves in 19^th-century London. The gang consists of children trained by Fagin to become pickpockets. 

The show premiered in London in 1960 and came to the U.S. in 1962, with a Broadway run starting in January to November 1963. It was later adapted into a 1968 movie. It features some of the most beloved songs in Broadway history, including “Food Glorious Food,” “Consider Yourself” and “You’ve Got to Pick a Pocket or Two.”

It also has the famous line (written by Dickens), “Please, sir, I want some more.”

There are lots of reasons for the musical’s enduring popularity, and one Carovale cites is that its characters are searching for something we all want. And he doesn’t mean money or even food.

“I think the story of always seeking that someone to love you and take care of you, which is what Oliver, Nancy, even Fagin, are looking for—love,” he said. “Of course everyone knows the songs from the show, which also adds to its popularity.”

Audiences bring expectations to a well-known show like “Oliver!” and Carovale said you can’t get too experimental with it. Still, he said he finds ways to make this production his own.

“You try to give your spin on the sets and costumes and also the mood in lights and what the actors are feeling in certain scenes,” he said. “So when you do that, you can get your own vision as to what the overall show looks like.”

Fagin is a legendary character in literature and on Broadway. His most famous song is probably “You’ve Got to Pick a Pocket or Two.” But Carovale pointed to another number as a favorite of his to sing.

“Fagin’s big number is ‘Reviewing the Situation,’” he said. “It’s very long and very wordy, but a great spot for an actor. Although the number I like the most in the show is ‘Who Will Buy.’”

British accents are yet another challenge for a community troupe taking on “Oliver!” Carovale said his cast is up to the challenge.

“We have 10 children who have worked very hard to sing and dance their roles,” he said. “The adult cast has also worked just as hard and it seems the accents just came. I haven’t stressed them as much, but certain characters have them with no problem.”

Vital to putting on a quality production, he said, is working with people he can count on. He says he has that with Burns, as well as his music director, Nancy R. James and his set designer Nola Young.

“Without these people I couldn’t have done the directing and be in it as well,” Carovale said. “They all gave their full effort to bring the show to life. Also the parents, who brought their children to the rehearsals three nights a week. It’s just a joy to have people around you who can deliver when the chips are down, give their all and help produce a show that I hope people will enjoy.”

“Oliver!” is being performed at the Brundage Park Playhouse, 502 Millbrook Ave., Randolph, Feb. 11, 12, 18, 19 at 8 p.m. and Feb. 13 and 20 at 2 p.m. Tickets cost $20, or $15 for seniors and children under 12. For reservations call 973-989-7092. Go to brundageparkplayhouse.org for more information.