Posted 5:49 PM by Gene

Today, after the opening of THE GREATEST IMPORTED THEME PARK IN BRANSON EAST HISTORY, we remember that 46 years ago this coming January Oliver! opened. It was already a West End hit (and later an even bigger hit in the movies), and listening to the immortal Broadway-cast album (recorded when the show was touring in LA -- RCA wasn't stupid), it is clear why it has endured: its score is rollicking and eloquent and memorable...and fun -- and definitely NOT "serviceable". (Its only weaknesses are the big ballad for Eydie Gormé and that the show falls apart at the end, no small thanks to Mr. Dickens.) People can make fun of DickensLite but I'd guess this score captures his spirit better than most adaptations, except maybe the '35 David Copperfield. Sadly Lionel Bart wrote only one other hit afterwards, but people will still be singing his one truly great work long after ROCK-IT MAN!'s immortality has employed its last roustabout.

And ROG, it wasn't so smart to compare this to KERNGERSHWIN HAMMERSTEIN, because His show closed nine years before it was supposed to -- and at least it CHANGED THE FACE OF BRANSON EAST. Pffffffffffffffffffft!

P. S. For what it's worth a West End revival commences in December, although we can't see Mr. Bean as Fagin.