The Signal Mountain Playhouse brought Lionel Bart’s classic musical “Oliver!” to life on the iconic outdoor stage at 1104 James Boulevard. The community production featured a massive cast of local volunteers, elaborate set changes, and an incredible fully volunteer orchestra, filling up the stands for evening performances throughout July.
The July performance was not the first. The Signal Mountain Playhouse has been bringing unique, family-friendly outdoor theater to the greater Chattanooga area since 1972. The production of “Oliver!,” the beloved story of a young orphan navigating the gritty streets of Victorian London, is known for combining high-quality acting with detailed, hand-crafted sets and imaginative costuming. And SMPH did not disappoint in either area.
I know what to expect of each and every SMPH performance, from the set to the music to the actors: excellence on every level. But even still, I am beyond impressed by an actor’s subtle portrayal or commanding voice.
Everyone in the performance spoke in a cockney accent, and pulled it off, which is incredible to me! Not one single actor backslid into a Southern drawl; it seemed totally innate!
This year Derrick Raley outdid himself as the nefarious Bill Sykes. His booming voice and black-cloaked persona had me shaking in my flipflops immediately; suffice to say, I totally believed him! He is no stranger to this Signal Mountain stage, and I was not the only person he impressed. Becky Eversole posted on Facebook, “His performance is unbelievable! He brings Bill Sikes to haunting life!”
In his SMPH debut, Foster Chapman played the titular character of Oliver and did so with confidence and charm, certainly earning a tip of the top hat from Charles Dickens! No one would guess this was his first show!
Arden Rose is fairly new to the SMPH; this is the second time she’s taken the stage, this time as beautiful Nancy. Her heartbreaking rendition of “As Long as He Needs Me” was so moving.
It was hard to take my eyes off Helen Tibbs as the Artful Dodger. She is truly a shining star and played the part with poise and certainty, so much so I wondered if she was from the streets of London!
Andrew Parker is always a treat, but seeing him play Fagin was amazing! He totally “out-Fagined” Fagan as he picked a pocket of two with sheer glee! Part of what I love about watching this actor is seeing how much he loves acting. He is clearly doing what he was meant to do, and he brings everything he has to every role he plays. This is his 14th performance on this stage, and he is pure joy to watch.
Another character I couldn’t look away from was Emily Forsythe as Mrs. Sowerberry, the sharp-tongued, domineering wife of Mr. Sowerberry (played by her real life husband Justin Forsythe). She played her role with a subtly that I almost missed. Singing “That’s Your Funeral” with Mr. Sowerberry and Mr. Bumble, played by Brendan Jones, her background in vocal music performance was obvious. But she brought her character’s attitude of disdain and negativity to life in a hilarious yet subtle way with everything from her expressions to her body language. I couldn’t look away! Perfection.
I loved watching Aemon Rittenberry, the late, great Anne Rittenberry’s grandson, command the stage with enthusiasm and skill and professionalism. He sang and danced and performed every number with an amazing energy, truly radiating and shining so much. I imagine he understood his grandmother’s wishes, if not her ultimatum: The show must go on.
And this lovely boy ensured it did.
by Ferris Robinson
The July performance was not the first. The Signal Mountain Playhouse has been bringing unique, family-friendly outdoor theater to the greater Chattanooga area since 1972. The production of “Oliver!,” the beloved story of a young orphan navigating the gritty streets of Victorian London, is known for combining high-quality acting with detailed, hand-crafted sets and imaginative costuming. And SMPH did not disappoint in either area.
I know what to expect of each and every SMPH performance, from the set to the music to the actors: excellence on every level. But even still, I am beyond impressed by an actor’s subtle portrayal or commanding voice.
Everyone in the performance spoke in a cockney accent, and pulled it off, which is incredible to me! Not one single actor backslid into a Southern drawl; it seemed totally innate!
This year Derrick Raley outdid himself as the nefarious Bill Sykes. His booming voice and black-cloaked persona had me shaking in my flipflops immediately; suffice to say, I totally believed him! He is no stranger to this Signal Mountain stage, and I was not the only person he impressed. Becky Eversole posted on Facebook, “His performance is unbelievable! He brings Bill Sikes to haunting life!”
In his SMPH debut, Foster Chapman played the titular character of Oliver and did so with confidence and charm, certainly earning a tip of the top hat from Charles Dickens! No one would guess this was his first show!
Arden Rose is fairly new to the SMPH; this is the second time she’s taken the stage, this time as beautiful Nancy. Her heartbreaking rendition of “As Long as He Needs Me” was so moving.
It was hard to take my eyes off Helen Tibbs as the Artful Dodger. She is truly a shining star and played the part with poise and certainty, so much so I wondered if she was from the streets of London!
Andrew Parker is always a treat, but seeing him play Fagin was amazing! He totally “out-Fagined” Fagan as he picked a pocket of two with sheer glee! Part of what I love about watching this actor is seeing how much he loves acting. He is clearly doing what he was meant to do, and he brings everything he has to every role he plays. This is his 14th performance on this stage, and he is pure joy to watch.
Another character I couldn’t look away from was Emily Forsythe as Mrs. Sowerberry, the sharp-tongued, domineering wife of Mr. Sowerberry (played by her real life husband Justin Forsythe). She played her role with a subtly that I almost missed. Singing “That’s Your Funeral” with Mr. Sowerberry and Mr. Bumble, played by Brendan Jones, her background in vocal music performance was obvious. But she brought her character’s attitude of disdain and negativity to life in a hilarious yet subtle way with everything from her expressions to her body language. I couldn’t look away! Perfection.
I loved watching Aemon Rittenberry, the late, great Anne Rittenberry’s grandson, command the stage with enthusiasm and skill and professionalism. He sang and danced and performed every number with an amazing energy, truly radiating and shining so much. I imagine he understood his grandmother’s wishes, if not her ultimatum: The show must go on.
And this lovely boy ensured it did.
by Ferris Robinson
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