San Francisco Adult Entertainment: Berkeley Playhouse’s ‘Oliver!’ Compromises Classic Story

However, Fagin is out-vied for the title of ultimate villain in the story by the far more dangerous criminal Bill Sykes. Indeed Gabriel Grilli skillfully portrays a surprisingly likeable Fagin, who in many ways seems just as much a victim of circumstance as Oliver. Aleph Ayin’s portratal of Sykes, though vocally strong and technically good, lacks any real menace, and is not really sinister enough to frighten even the average third-grade audience member.
Kathryn Zdan gives a standout performance as Nancy, a prostitute hopelessly in love with the heartless Sykes. Zdan’s movingly stalwart solo “As Long as He Needs Me” is one of the musical highlights of the show. Her determined love for a man she knows to be beyond redemption lends a much needed emotional depth to the plot.

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