THEATER REVIEWS : ‘Oliver!’ Shows Off Street Smarts and Survival Skills : An excellent assembly of kids and sparkling adult performances overcome meager budget for a socially relevant interpretation.

LA HABRA — If you don’t have kids up to the vocal and acting chores of Lionel Bart’s musical “Oliver!” then, as Fagin would say, “the game’s oop, idnit, my dears?”

La Habra Depot Theatre director Tim Nelson not only has a gem of an Oliver, and an Artful Dodger, but a whole ensemble of small actors who not only sing like gangbusters but maintain the look and aura of the Dickensian street Arabs.

“Street Arabs” may not be politically correct these days, but in Europe that’s what they’re called, and they themselves are not any more politically correct than homeless street kids in today’s urban America, or the modern Fagins who make use of them. The picture Dickens painted in “Oliver Twist” is as pertinent today as it was a century ago.

That’s another interesting facet of Nelson’s production--underlining this side of the story. He has pushed and pulled the script here and there, without harm to Bart’s intent, and given it a tidy shape for an adult audience while still maintaining enough color to keep young audiences interested.

*

Nick Mousetis, as Oliver, is a sturdy performer and at the same time can often look helpless and vulnerable.

Glynn G. Montemayor, while a tad too young for the Artful Dodger, has all the fire and sass the role requires. Both boys handle the vocals easily and with style. Michael Posey noticeably stands out in a youthful ensemble that can’t be flawed for its poise on stage, in roles as disenfranchised urchins or for vocal exuberance.

The adult cast members are as worthy in a production that suffers only from a limited budget. Ron Lipp’s decidedly non-Semitic Fagin is charming even in his lecherousness, and Laura Lynn Stafford’s rough-and-ready Nancy is a top-drawer performance, both for the humanity under her earthy exterior and for her able belting of Nancy’s songs.

*

John L. Moreno’s Bumble and Iris Harris’ Widow Corney are good, though Harris could dispense with the heavy black lines to indicate age; Corney doesn’t have to be old, and Harris wouldn’t look as though she had been attacked by a 19th-Century tagger.

The choreography by Jennifer Simpson is simplistic, fashioned no doubt to the abilities of her performers, and Sylvia Nelson’s costumes look right, in spite of some modern-looking rags on the kids.

There is no credit for the set design, but a turntable with ramps and levels works very nicely and only suffers by looking unfinished, and Brad Stewart’s shaded lighting helps to cover its inadequacies.

* “Oliver,” La Habra Depot Theatre, 311 S. Euclid St., La Habra. Friday-Saturday, 8 p.m., Sunday, 2:30 p.m. (plays through Sunday, resumes Jan. 7. Ends Jan. 22. $8-$10. (310) 905-9625. Running time: 2 hours, 15 minutes.

Nick Mousetis: Oliver

Ron Lipp: Fagin

Laura Lynn: Stafford Nancy

Glynn G. Montemayor: Artful Dodger

John L. Moreno: Mr. Bumble

Iris Harris: Widow Corney

Mitchell Nunn: Bill Sykes

A La Habra Depot Theatre production of Lionel Bart’s musical version of Dickens’ “Oliver Twist.” Directed by Tim Nelson. Choreography: Jennifer Simpson. Costumes: Sylvia Nelson. Lighting design: Brad Steward. Stage manager: Terry Russell.