Rainbow Company presents ‘Oliver!’

Consider yourself one of the family in the Rainbow Company's production of "Oliver!" The 55-member cast performs the family favorite through Sunday at the Charleston Heights Arts Center, 800 S. Brush St.

Director Brian Kral said the show is aimed at drawing in attendees of all ages.

"It's a good holiday theme, and there are lots of family moments in the show," Kral said. "I think something that separates the Rainbow Company nationally has been the age-appropriate casting. We have kids playing kids and adults playing adults. It stays true to the story line."

Kral said the production shows aspects of all social classes, both good and bad.

"(The musical) has its harsher elements," he said. "It shows the different classes and how they're treated. It also shows redemption, with Oliver eventually rising to the top. It's about working his way up to light from the darkness."

Joey Miceli, 12, plays The Artful Dodger and said he auditioned for the show because of the movie's fame.

"I wanted to be in this production because I thought it'd be a lot of fun," Miceli said. "It's better to see it on stage than in a movie."

J Neal, Rainbow Company tour director, said set and prop designer Kris Van Riper and costume designers Gail Lehtinen and Scott Marcellus have been instrumental in helping rehearsals run smoothly. The company hit a bump with choreographer and artistic director Karen McKenney in the hospital, but Neal said guest choreographers such as Cherilyn Beanen from Dance Connection have stepped in temporarily.

"(McKenney) had almost everything choreographed except for a couple of numbers," Neal said. "It's been hard without her, but we've really seen people step up to the challenge, and we're anxious to have her back."

Neal said the choreography and music is what makes "Oliver!" an ideal production for the Rainbow Company.

"The score is flawless," Neal said. "Musically, it's beautiful, and the music is so memorable."

Kearsten Kuroishi, a former Rainbow Company student who stars as Nancy, said audiences can expect a heartwarming show.

"It's family-friendly and a great story for the holidays," Kuroishi said. "It has warmth and compassion, which are recurring themes around the holidays."

Performances for "Oliver" are set for 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday and 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday. For tickets, call 229-6383 or visit artslasvegas.com.

Contact Paradise/Downtown View reporter Lisa Carter at lcarter@viewnews.com or 383-0492.