Happy Orphans

For cute, go no further than Musical Theatre Village. This modest, earnest group catering to families and selecting shows with lots of roles for kids somehow transcends its bland storefront space in an even blander commercial strip mall in Lake Forest and delivers pure cuteness.

In this case, it’s Lionel Bart’s terminally cute “Oliver!”--an ideal vehicle for director Denise Fenton’s mostly preteen and teen company, whatever you think of the musical.

Between Mr. Bumble’s sea of Industrial Age orphans and Fagin’s dark cadre of young pickpockets--and numerous starring roles for young actors--there are few musicals in the repertoire better suited to a youth theater group.

Then again, there is the matter of what Bart has wrought. For those of us who read Charles Dickens’ novel before seeing, say, the 1968 Oscar-winning film musical, “Oliver!” is a horrific, insulting reduction of a stirring tale, whittling a young boy’s tragedy-into-triumph into the stage version of a lame Saturday morning TV show.

“Oliver!,” in fact, was one of the early previews of the Disneyfication of Broadway that has become a tsunami in the ‘90s. A chummy, bright opening song such as “Food Glorious Food” (remember, this is sung by starving children in a London orphans’ dungeon) says this is so Dickens Lite that you expect Mickey Mouse himself to come strutting in with a bowl of gruel.

Even the enthusiasm that Fenton’s cast brings to this material can’t get it over the musical’s dreadful second act, which slogs down in dreary exposition.

Besides, this is the kind of affair that’s best when Fenton’s kids are bursting into song in numbers such as “Consider Yourself,” “Pick a Pocket,” “A Fine Life,” “Oom-Pah-Pah” and Bart’s one brilliant song, “Who Will Buy.” The straight-ahead, dramatic scenes, such as those involving adult actors such as Bill Kommel’s Bill Sykes, are the dull spots between the fun show tunes.

As Oliver, Patrick Cento (alternating with Jason Haut, Brian King and Chace Paddock) has the right innocent face and angelic voice and touches hearts on his lament, “Where Is Love.” Nikki Hunnel’s Nancy (alternating with Jaime Clark, Toni Clark, and Tiffany Moon) contrasts as a joyful, strong-voiced presence, a sprightly girl-woman who’s perfectly cast.

One could wish that Chuck Ver Burg’s Fagin (alternating with Dave Teeter) could be heard at the back of the small room, but he nevertheless captures Bart’s view of Fagin as the bad guy you love.

Kristi Fenton (the director’s daughter, alternating with Lisa King, Josh Saenz and Jacqueline Struck) gamely plays a tough boy with a Cockney accent as the Artful Dodger.

Musical director Toni Clark wisely opts for a taped orchestral score rather than the inevitably cheesy-sounding synthesizer accompaniment.

Director Fenton makes the most of her uncredited storybook-style set, with time-saving scene changes that make this an easy sit for toddlers.

BE THERE

“Oliver!,” Musical Theatre Village, 22722 Lambert St., Lake Forest. Thursday-Friday, 7 p.m.; Saturday, 2:30 and 7 p.m.; Sunday, 2:30 p.m. Ends June 14. $7-$8. (949) 859-3688. Running time: 2 hours.