The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

14 Independent & Free Press, Wednesday, May 16, 2007 ENTERTAINMENT Flaws, but good effort, mark Oliver's opening night TED BROWN Staff Writer Smokey old London came alive on the stage of John Elliott Theatre Thursday night as Georgetown Globe Musical Productions opened their current offering Oliver! Based on the Charles Dickens book Oliver Twist, written in the late 19th century, Globe's production featured a huge cast, many of them children, as they recreated the workhouse atmosphere so well known in the novel. In the production schedule, Bryan Bartle and Kyle Sokolowski share duties for the part of Oliver, while Meghan de Chastelain and Chelsea Beatty share the part of Artful Dodger. Opening night featured Bartel and de Chastelain. Taking on the part of Oliver is a daunting task, and occasionally Bartle suffered from a lack of voice projection and stage presence-- possibly an opening night adjustment. His choreography and acting was quite effective, and he will no doubt fine-tune the minor problems with subsequent performances. Bartle's accent was *Based on an MSRP of $15,995/$21,695 on 2007 Spectra LX MT (ST5417)/2007 Sportage LX MT (SP5517). **Leasing plans OAC provided by Kia Canada Financial Services. Available on 2007 Spectra LX MT (ST5417)/2007 Sportage LX MT (SP5517). Based on a 60/60 month lease rate of 0.0%/3.9%. First month's lease payment of $190/$199 plus $1,350/$1,495 delivery and destination, and a $350 acquisition fee, due upon delivery. Down payment for 2007 Spectra LX MT (ST5417)/2007 Sportage LX MT (SP5517) is $0/$3,250. Total lease obligation for the featured models based on an MSRP of $15,995/$21,695 is $11,382/$15,218 and the option to purchase at end of lease for $4,613/$7,961 plus applicable taxes. Lease has 20,000 km/year allowance (other packages available) and $0.10/km for excess. Licence, registration, insurance, delivery and destination, dealer administration fees and taxes are not included, unless otherwise stated. Dealers are free to set individual prices. Prices subject to change without notice. >"0% purchase financing on every new Kia", available on approved credit (OAC). Available on all new 2007 Kia models. Maximum monthly term for "0% purchase financing" varies by model. See dealer for details. Purchase financing example: $10,000 at 0.0% purchase financing equals $167 per month for 60 months; cost of borrowing (C.O.B.) is $0 for a total obligation of $10,000. Monthly payment and C.O.B. will vary depending on amount borrowed, the term and down payment/trade. Other lease and finance options available. Prices subject to change without notice. Competitive Bonus program available to qualifying customers on the purchase of any new 2007 Spectra/Sportage models. See dealer for eligibility details. Reduction of $1,000 off total principal or amount due on all new 2007 Sportage models. Monthly lease or finance payments have been adjusted for reduction. Certain restrictions may apply. Featured models are not exactly as illustrated. Images contain available accessories. NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) test results. Visit www.nhtsa.dot.gov/ncap for full details. ^Conditions apply to the $500 Grad Rebate program. See dealer for details. Kia's "Worry-Free Comprehensive" warranty covers most vehicle components against defects under normal use and maintenance conditions. Price, availability and specifications are subject to changes without notice. Information in this advertisement is believed to be accurate at the time of print. KIA is a trademark of Kia Motors Corporation. 2007 SPECTRA 0 $ starting from 15,995 * Model not exactly as shown % $ LEASE FOR 190 0 ** PER MO. FOR 60 MOS. $0 SECURITY DEPOSIT % LEASE APR** 0 DOWN PAYMENT · 2.0 L DOHC CVVT engine · Power and tilt steering · AM/FM/CD/MP3 stereo with 4 speakers · 60:40 split-folding rear seats · Full centre console with storage box $ +$ 500 BONUS COMPETITIVE IN ADDITION TO LEASE/FINANCE OFFERS 2007 SPORTAGE 5-STAR CRASH TEST RATING (NHTSA ­ Frontal & Side Impact) PURCHASE LX-AWD model shown MSRP $21,695* FINANCING LEASE FOR ON EVERY> $ NEW KIA! 199 3.9 ** PER MO. FOR 60 MOS. % $ LEASE OR PURCHASE 1,000 BONUS + $ LEASE APR** $3,250 DOWN PAYMENT $0 SECURITY DEPOSIT · Electronic Stability Control (ESC) · Traction Control System (TCS) · Power windows, locks & mirrors · 6 airbags 500 COMPETITIVE great, giving a taste of cockney London to his character. Meghan de Chastelain gave a strong performance as the Artful Dodger, never leaving the audience any doubt when she was on stage. Her animated performance gave the character lots of life. Roscoe Petrovic and Beatrice Sharkey handled the parts of Mr. Bumble and Widow Corney. Again, both suffered from a lack of projecting their voices to the audience, (instead of each other.) At times, they simply could not be heard or understood, especially when Sharkey's part required she `whisper.' Kelly Baker handled the part of Oliver's mother effectively. Mr. And Mrs. Sowerberry, the funeral directors, were played by Paul d'Entremont and Julie Solomon. Their acting and singing was great, but for a moment, I thought I'd dropped by the Rocky Horror Picture Show, as d'Entremont's outfit resembled Count Dracula more than that of a Victorian undertaker's garb. Martha Zavitz was effective as their daughter Charlotte Sowerberry, and Travis Paul was a good match to play opposite her as funeral assistant Noah Claypole. There is no doubt Mark Llewellyn dominated the show as Fagin. From his stage presence, his body language and his facial expressions, he simply spelled F-AG-I-N. Topping off Llewellyn's character was his costume, a tattered overcoat and broad brimmed hat that had seen better days, making Fagin looked like he'd just wandered in from old London. Mandy Meisner also captured the hearts of the audience as the golden-hearted Nancy. With her mane of red hair, she certainly commanded the stage when she stepped onto it. Effectively backing her up in many scenes was Carolyn Sevigny, who plays Bet. Lucas LaRochelle handled the part of Charley Bates and Chris Burk stepped in to play Oliver's grandfather Mr. Brownlow, while Sara Martel played Mrs. Bedwin. Although Dale Kustra was a sinister enough Bill Sikes, he didn't appear that threatening. His outfit needed to be darker and more `evil' to portray that dark side to its full potential. The show features dozens of young children, and the choreographers receive top marks for keeping the kids in step. With a few exceptions noted above, costumes were effective and had a strong period look. Stage lighting was quiet smooth and flawless. In Oliver!, Globe tried a departure from the norm, incorporating an audio-visual element into the production, running opening credits on a suspended screen, and at times, flowing graphics down the walls on either side of the theatre. The credits were excusable, but the graphics running on either side of the theatre tended to do nothing more than distract from the action on stage, rather than compliment it. Anything drawing visual attention away from the performers onstage is not a good thing in any production. All in all, Oliver! is a good production, but opening night revealed a few wrinkles that hopefully can be ironed out. The show has obvious potential, and Globe has the track record to support it. Hopefully the producers and directors can put the polish back on subsequent shows. Oliver! continues its run this week. (Ted Brown can be reached at tbrown@independentfreepress.com) BONUS Book sale aids charity Upper Credit Humane Society holds a book sale at the Georgetown Market Place on Saturday, May 26, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and May 27, noon to 4 p.m. Donations of hardcover novels and paperbacks can be dropped off at Global Pet Foods in Georgetown Market Place or at UCHS Thrift Shop in the Moore Park Plaza. All money raised will support the animals in the Shelter and in the community. For more information go to www.uppercredit.com, or 905-702-8661. IN ADDITION TO LEASE/FINANCE OFFERS One of the top warranties in the business. TOTAL CARE OWNERSHIP COVERAGE · 5-YEAR/100,000 KM WORRY-FREE COMPREHENSIVE WARRANTY · 5-YEAR/100,000 KM POWERTRAIN WARRANTY · 5-YEAR/100,000 KM EXTRA CARE ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE · NO DEDUCTIBLE CHARGE $ Grad 500 Rebate^ To locate a Kia dealer near you, visit kia.ca Georgetown Kia 314 Guelph Street, Georgetown, ON (905) 877-7818