The first two performances of YATS’s Oliver! were met with standing ovations by the audience. So, with just three performances remaining, it’s time to consider it for yourself. If you’re planning to come along, Friday night is a fine choice — not just because tickets are still available, but because it’s the perfect opportunity to see the cast full of confidence after the opening shows.
That said, regular YATS fans will tell you that the second Saturday performance has a special kind of magic. It’s the fourth show of the five-show run, when the cast are at their most polished. It’s also Alumni Night, when familiar faces from past YATS productions such as Shrek, Fiddler on the Roof, Guys & Dolls, Annie, and Grease return to join the audience. Many are home from university for their autumn break, and together they create a real noise with a supportive, infectious enthusiasm that inspires the cast to deliver a sensational performance. And, as tradition has it, this is the night filmed by José and his talented crew — to preserve the show for posterity, for the actors to watch later.
Reviewing the situation: whether you come on Friday or join the alumni crowd on Saturday, Oliver! promises a glorious evening of musical theater that will leave you humming Oom-pah-pah all the way home (everyone knows that’s how it goes.)