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• If you go: 'Oliver'

When she was 7 years old, Rhiannon West saw a production of the musical "Oliver" in her hometown of Mobile, Ala.

A year later she was a show orphan herself.

West, who plays the street-wise heroine Nancy in the national tour of the musical "Oliver," said the musical has that kind of impact.

Area Broadway musical fans will get to take the music to the streets of Victorian England as the Marshall Artists Series welcomes in a touring production of "Oliver," the musical based on the novel "Oliver Twist" by Charles Dickens, at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 12, at the historic Keith-Albee Performing Arts Center, 925 4th Ave., Huntington.

Tickets are $46 and $56. Youth tickets (17 and under) are $27.50, $25 and $22.50.

West, who sings and also plays guitar in the show, said in the two months they've been on tour people are falling back in love with the musical that debuted in London in 1960. It made its way to Broadway in 1963 with such songs as "Consider Yourself," "You've Got To Pick -A-Pocket Or Two," and "Who Will Buy."

One of the first London stage musicals to be transplanted to Broadway, the second Broadway cast included future Monkee Davy Jones.

"I think it's one of the best and most well-written shows for the Broadway stage," West said. "Lionel Bart really knew what he was doing when he tapped into the lyrics. They are so specific for each character, and because of the strong and beautiful melodies, it's a real magical show to be exposed to, especially as a child."

The musical follows Dickens' novel that tells the story of Oliver, an orphan who is sold after asking for seconds of the meager portion of gruel the boys receive daily at the workhouse.

Oliver escapes to London where Fagin, the "caretaker" of a ring of boy thieves, takes the lad in. The young Artful Dodger, who helps to teach the ways of pickpocketing, and Nancy, a local barmaid, befriend Oliver.

When the boy is falsely arrested and then housed by a wealthy gentleman, the criminals worry that their game is in jeopardy. The violent thief Bill Sikes has the most to lose and sets out to ensure Oliver doesn't divulge their secrets.

West said it's a touching story of Oliver, an innocent person caught on the wrong side of the tracks, and her character, Nancy, who does anything she can to help Oliver.

"She is only used to the bad and to not having very much, and she sees this little boy and can see the potential for a better life, and she will give him the life she never got," said West, who is 21. "She's a very deep character and has a lot of layers to her."

West said the heart-warming and heart-breaking tale of trying to transcend tough economic times hits home for many.

"Dickens wrote about what he knew, and he came from a family that was in debt jail and a workhouse," West said. "He wrote about the ugly truth about London during the 1800s, and it was not a fun time to be alive, as people were especially overworked and underfed, which is kind of relevant today, as everyone is overworked. It's truly a great show in regards to what is going on in the world today."

West said people take much away from seeing "Oliver," and not just the feeling of being entertained.

"I think the most palpable lesson for an audience watching the show is that you can choose to make the right decisions in life," West said. "You can learn a lot as a person even if you are struggling. It's always worth it to do the right thing in life."

Courtesy of Music Theatre Associates

The Marshall Artists Series welcomes in a touring production of “Oliver,” the musical based on the novel, “Oliver Twist” by Charles Dickens at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 12 at the historic Keith-Albee Performing Arts Center.

Purchase this photo

Courtesy of Music Theatre Associates

The Marshall Artists Series welcomes in a touring production of “Oliver,” the musical based on the novel, “Oliver Twist” by Charles Dickens at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 12 at the historic Keith-Albee Performing Arts Center.

Purchase this photo

Courtesy of Music Theatre Associates

The Marshall Artists Series welcomes in a touring production of “Oliver,” the musical based on the novel, “Oliver Twist” by Charles Dickens at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 12 at the historic Keith-Albee Performing Arts Center.

Purchase this photo