[Brian22592]

I'm 14, and am trying out for Oliver! in the fall. Is 5'10" too tall to be Dodger? If not, any other parts I could possibly be?

[MademoiselleMusicals]

Is this a youth production or adult production? Not sure why I'm asking but still....

[Brian22592]

Adult

[momsterv]

The script says Dodger is 16 or 18, and Oliver is 13, but most productions cast them younger than that.

My daughter played Oliver when she was 10, and her Dodger was 12, it was an adult community theater production.

It depends on how old and how big the Oliver, Dodger, Fagin, Nancy all are and how they look together.

It also depends on if you can sing Dodger's song. Our Dodger was having a hard time because his voice was changing, and it got more difficult throughout the 8 week run. A 14-year-old boy who auditioned, who we thought was the definite top choice for the part didn't get it because he just couldn't sing it anymore.

Get the Broadway or London CD and sing along with it -- Consider Yourself and Its a Fine Life in particular.

[Baker]

I was 13, about 5'9", and my voice had changed already when I played Dodger. You should be OK.

[norayouadora]

Age-wise, you'd be just fine for Dodger. When I was in this show, the boys who played Dodger and Oliver were the same age (about 13), but Dodger is supposed to be older than Oliver, as momsterv said. I also agree that you should listen to a recording and see if Dodger's songs suit your voice. I don't see how the part could be played if your voice has already changed, unless everything was lowered an octave. I wouldn't like it , but it could probably work. As mentioned above, the issue of your height depends greatly on the heights of the other characters. It's fine (and I'd say preferrable) that you're taller than Oliver, but you can't be taller than Fagin or Sykes.

(You might have noticed--I'm just basically agreeing with everything momsterv said. Oops.)

At any rate, good luck with your audition! If Dodger ends up not working, you could probably try for Noah Claypoole. That might be the only other role that would work, since it's an adult production. Otherwise, you could always do ensemble stuff, such as possibly being an orphan/Fagin's boy, etc.

[Baker]

Dodger could certainly be taller than Fagin - I was and it worked fine.

[renthead29]

yeah the character description lists aren't too strict. Ours was in second grade and our oliver was in 7th. the character sheet said that Dodger was supposed to be 18, but he was younger in the movie. Age doesn't matter in theater as long as it's believable to the audience

[norayouadora]

[Marie-leah]

basicly i would say when he looks too old or his voice is too deep. you cant say a cut off age. he is supposed to be an undergrown 18 year old in the origonal dickens book but i would say anything aslong as he doesnt look out of place for it or sound like a man as the songs dont suit it

[Marie-leah]

[RacerX]

yeah you're fine. just audition. they dont like you they dont like you.

[monica_musical]

When I appeared in Oliver! the two boys playing Dodger were 14 and 16! I think this is a good age for Dodger. He should at least not be younger than that!! He's a rough guy and I think a younger person would'nt be able to show all of his personality! Good luck!!

[Salome]