'OLIVER!" OPENS AT ACT: Katherine Jones, left, joined Jennifer Cleve Sojot (Nancy), Michael Pa'ekukui (Fagin) and director Stephanie Curtis Conching last Thursday at the opening-night cast party for Army Community Theatre's production of "Oliver!" at Richardson Theater. Playwright Lionel Bart excised much of the child abuse, domestic violence and antisemitism from Charles Dickens' dark tale of life in early Victorian London when he reworked it as a Broadway musical, and Conching is presenting a much lighter and child-friendly version of Bart's story than she did when she directed ACT's last production of "Oliver!" in 2002. Call 438-4480.

Caitlin Hatakeyama and Lucas Cusick stayed on to enjoy the cast party after the kids in the cast had gone home. Hatakeyama is a member of director Conching's well-rehearsed ensemble. Cusick stars in the title role; he plays Oliver as a cherubic but indestructible moppet.

Mikel J. Humerickhouse, left, and his son, ensemble member AJ Humerickhouse, talked backstage with Peter Togawa (Bill Sykes). Mikel Humerickhouse was superb as Sykes in two previous productions; he played the brutal street thug as a terrifying bully and killer at DHT in 1998 and again at ACT in 2002. Now his son is stepping forward as an actor, and Togawa is getting his chance to play the villain.

Musicians Daren Kimura, left, Ben Gascon, Calvin Liu, Fred Higaki and Dr. Scott Himeda enjoyed the always-popular ACT post-show party menu of pizza and soft drinks. Violinist Kimura will be part of the orchestra when "Les Miserables" opens at Diamond Head Theatre Sept. 26, but DHT let him take time off from rehearsals to help out at ACT.

Theresa Crighton (Mrs. Sowerberry), Michael Pa'ekukui (Fagin), Ruth Fearnow (Widow Corney) and Richard Bragdon (Mr. Sowerberry) celebrated the show's opening. Pa'ekukui makes a welcome return to the local stage in the controversial role of Fagin. His take on the character is lighter, less sinister and more gentle than the witty yet subtly menacing criminal portrayed by Dion Donahue at DHT in 1998 and at ACT in 2002.