DIRECTOR'S NOTE
The thing I love most about Oliver! Jr. is that it celebrates goodness amid the harsh realities of the world. It reminds us that even in difficult circumstances, people can find joy, connection, and hope. Throughout the story, we see characters from many different walks of life striving to find the positive in their situations. The workhouse orphans use their imaginations to envision glorious culinary delights; Nancy, Bet, and Fagin’s gang revel in the small pleasures of their “fine lives”; Mr. Brownlow shows empathy and compassion to a small street urchin in need; and even Mr. Bumble and the Widow Corney manage to find a version of happiness together. These moments of light remind us that joy can exist even in the most unlikely places.
I have always viewed Oliver Twist as the personification of innocence and optimism. Though he never participates in thievery himself, Oliver is able to appreciate the cleverness and skill that Dodger and the other gang members use to practice their craft. For a brief but meaningful time, he adopts Fagin, Nancy, Dodger, and the rest of the gang as a pseudo family. For the first time in his life, Oliver experiences what it feels like to be seen, loved, and accepted; something every child deserves.
Of course, life is not always sunshine and rainbows. While the show highlights life’s joyful moments, it does not turn a blind eye to pain, suffering, and the darker sides of reality. Oliver reaches rock bottom when he is forced to sleep among coffins, feeling lost and alone. Nancy endures years of abuse and ultimately pays the ultimate price at the hands of someone she loves. Fagin loses his adopted wards as they scatter to escape the law. And yet, even in the midst of heartbreak, the story offers hope. Oliver finds his forever family. Fagin reunites with Dodger. Healing begins, and life goes on. The message is clear: while hardship is unavoidable, it does not have to define the end of our story.
Another important theme of Oliver! Jr. is acceptance. After being kicked out of the workhouse and running away from the undertaker, Oliver finds people who accept him for exactly who he is. Theater has long been a refuge for students who may not feel like they fit in elsewhere. It has a well-earned reputation for welcoming the “quirky,” the “silly,” and the wonderfully unique. I love that about theater. I love that it can be a safe space where students feel free to be unapologetically themselves. It is a place to laugh, to cry, to feel deeply, and to explore who they are and who they might become. Just as Oliver first found belonging with Dodger and Fagin and later with Mr. Brownlow, I hope our theater remains a place where every student feels valued, supported, and part of the family.
Sean Southworth
February 5, 2026
