BWW Interviews: For Eleasha Gamble OLIVER! Is Where It All Started

Every actor has that moment, that role, that performance which forever changes them, making the stage their life's passion. For Eleasha Gamble, who plays the role of Nancy in Arena Stage's new production of Oliver!, Nancy is the role that started it all.

"It's a role that is near and dear to my heart," says Gamble shortly before rehearsals started. "When I was a high school freshman, Oliver! was our spring musical. Being cast as Nancy set me on this path that I'm on today. When I knew Molly Smith [Oliver's! Director] and Arena were doing it, it was kismet."

Oliver! marks a homecoming for Gamble in several ways. The Takoma Park native was recently on-tour with The Lion King and it was at Arena in 2010, and under Smith's direction, where she received critical acclaim for her portrayal of Laurie in Oklahoma.

"There's something so wonderful about being away for a while and coming back to Arena," Gamble says. "What we're doing with the show is equally exciting and really amazing."

Based off of the classic Charles Dickens' novel Oliver Twist, Oliver! is centered around a street-smart orphan of the same name in 1850s London. Gamble plays Nancy, a character she's described as a "tough chick" who takes a liking to Oliver.

She says, "Nancy is a woman whose been on the street, been in Fagin's gang and is in love with someone who can be cruel at times. And there's something in this innocent face of Oliver that triggers her. She's thinking 'maybe I can't be saved, but this kid can.'"

Oliver! first opened in London in 1960 before transferring to Broadway in 1963. For this production, Smith is infusing the show with elements of modern day London. A similar approach was taken to Arena's Oklahoma, says Gamble, where you have a classic Broadway musical being interpreted slightly differently.

"There's a lot of creativity with this production because it kind of involved taking Oliver into 2015. Then we had to ask, ok, what does that mean to take the show from the Victorian era into today? In rehearsals it really was about taking risks and jumping in."

Creating an environment to do just that was Smith, whom Gamble calls an 'actor's director.' She credits her with creating a safe space for the cast to explore their characters. "Molly knows how to get you to places you might not have thought of, or thought worth exploring," says Gamble. "Early on in the rehearsal process we do improv, and it's a great way to tap into your character. Doing that she [Molly Smith] is really able to connect everyone and there's just a lot of creativity going on."

Gamble also has the challenge of performing Oliver's most well-known song, "As Long As He Needs Me." It has been sung by countless artists ranging from Shirley Bassey and Liberace to The Drifters and Matthew Morrison. Despite its popularity, Gamble says that she doesn't listen to other versions and that for her; the song is all about the character. Still, having played Nancy in high school and now, over roughly two decades, her take on the beloved torch song has changed.

"The person I was when I was a freshman and the woman I am now is different. One of the things I connect with Oliver! is losing both my parents. I know what it's like to be an orphan and so now with 'As Long As He Needs Me' it just comes with more experience."

Featuring music and lyrics by Lionel Bart, Arena Stage's production boasts a 25-member cast ranging from Broadway veterans to children making their professional acting debut. For Gamble, it also marks her fourth time performing Oliver!

"There's still something about this show. It just keeps popping up at pivotal moments in my life. In high school I read the music off the page, now I'm a very different Eleasha."

Oliver runs thru January 3rd at Arena Stage - 1101 Sixth Street, SW, Washington, DC 20024. For tickets, please click here or call (202) 554-9066.

Photo: Eleasha Gamble as Nancy in Oliver!. Credit: Tony Powell.

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