Last weekend I had the privilege of being invited to see Oliver! at the Westchester Broadway Theatre. Below you will find my prior description of the Theatre, a summary of Oliver!, and a review of the show.
Theatre Background and Review
For those unfamiliar with the Westchester Broadway Theatre, it is an intimate theater located in Elmsford, NY (basically White Plains and less than a 30 minute drive from the Brewster A&P). Broadway performers, directors and designers are auditioned in NYC for the productions made specifically for the Theatre. Clustered in a U-Shape around the stage are steeply leveled rows of tables for the audience to enjoy dinner and show. There is absolutely no bad seat in the house. You can see the stage clearly and without obstruction, even if with tall people sitting in the row in front of you.
Prior to the show, attendees can enjoy a nice cocktail hour, shop in the reasonably priced gift shop, and enjoy a delicious dinner at their table. The menu has enough variety to please anybody, which also included recommended wine parings, and all members of my dinner table have always been pleased with their dinner choices. The staff was all very pleasant, though I have found you need to stay on the wait-staff to receive your drinks timely. The food, however, comes out extremely quickly.
Once the show begins, service is discontinued until the 30 minute intermission. You’re provided with sufficient warning to request any additional items before the show begins and you may enjoy delicious desserts during the intermission as well.
All-in-all, having a well-timed and delicious dinner combined with a theatre show is rare and wonderful. Whatever the show, be sure to try the Westchester Broadway Theatre.
Oliver! Review
Oliver! is a fun musical about an orphan boy sold to be work for an undertaker. From there he runs away and is brought into a pickpocket underworld, and eventually finds his way home to his actual family.
The Westchester Broadway Theater has an eclectic group of performers with a range of experience levels. Oliver is played by a local 6th grader from Harrison, NY. He absolutely rocked his solo in the second act. The Artful Dodger, played by Todd Ritch, was my absolute favorite. His giant smile and enthusiastic stage presence sucks you straight into his performance. Every time he came onto the stage, I found myself grinning right back at him.
The other men, many with some extremely impressive backgrounds, were also outstanding. I always love when actors let loose with their voice on stage, allowing me to lose myself in the song. They did this with stellar perfection, never overpowering one another. This was especially apparent during the large group numbers where everyone’s voices melded together beautifully. Those large numbers were my favorite parts of the show.
This show, like every other I’ve seen thus far at the Westchester Broadway Theatre are worth the lovely night out with family or significant others. Oliver! is showing through September 8, 2013, sure to catch it while you can.
