If you want to pack a house, pick a show with an abundance of kiddie roles. Each child is good for probably 10 adult tickets. If you want a full house, make said kids orphans (I’m looking at you, Annie). Works every time.

That should make finding a seat for this weekend’s production of “Oliver” at Norwich High School a difficult task, but I assure you it’s well worth the effort. Being the cold-hearted cynic that I am, it takes a lot more than a group of parentless ragamuffins to get me to come to a show. Having seen “Oliver” in dress rehearsal Wednesday night, it’s the talent that makes me say, “Please sir, can I have some more?”

I made a lot in my story in yesterday’s Evening Sun about the “multi-generational” aspect of staging “Oliver” – in that while all the roles are played by kids, they’re not necessarily high school kids. It’s a risk that I’m sure made director Mark Sands’ hair even grayer than mine, but it certainly pays off here. Like a discerning sports coach grooming kids from peewee to jayvee, Sands is cultivating his future high school stars from middle school.