The latest star of the stage is young Kyle Bajitos of Los Gatos, who appears as the lead character in WVLO's current production Oliver!, which opened to a sold-out crowd at the Saratoga Civic Theater on Nov. 4.

WVLO was formed as a nonprofit organization in 1964 with the aim of promoting culture in the local area and providing opportunities for residents with dramatic aspirations to participate in theatrical productions under the guidance of professional directors. The organization puts on three musicals a year, and the shows typically feature characters of all ages, skill levels and nationalities, with auditions open to everyone.

If the biographies of staff members and volunteers printed in every program are any indication, WVLO certainly seems to inspire loyalty and devotion in many a theater-lover. Several current participants have been involved with nearly every production for many years, hooked from their first experience. Annually, the group also gives out awards recognizing participants for their contributions, such as the Captain's Cape Award for an outstanding member of the chorus, the Orchestra Vest Award to an exceptional member of the orchestra and the Technical Vest Award for a hard-working member of the crew.

Despite being a close-knit, hometown theater group, WVLO is anything but amateur. The Civic Theater on Allendale Avenue seats more than 300, and most of the seats are sold every night. The orchestra is full of talented professionals who recreate full-scale productions of the musical scores, and the sets and special effects are elaborate and impressive.

"[WVLO] is great; they put on a nice production," says Rick Sutherland of Los Gatos, who says the group keeps him coming back--Oliver! is the fourth WVLO show he has attended.

Rod Bening of Los Gatos agrees. "The directing is excellent, the choreography is always very strong and the musical direction of the orchestra is excellent. I've seen about 15 shows here."

WVLO is also a great place for performers to hone their skills. Many of the regular stars and directors move on to roles in professional theater companies such as the American Musical Theater of San Jose. High school student Niki Aquino, co-choreographer for Oliver!, recently appeared in AMTSJ's production of The Wizard of Oz, and director Becky White Brownson has also worked on many of AMTSJ's productions, such as Brigadoon and Kiss Me, Kate. Production designer Stephen C. Wathen also works on special effects for George Lucas Films when not putting in hours at WVLO.

Yet, they always set aside time for WVLO.

Whatever the formula this theater group employs, audiences certainly seem to respond positively to the performances they are treated to on show night. Oliver! star Kyle, a seventh-grader at St. Frances Cabrini, first appeared in Starmites in 2003, then went on to earn the lead in Tom Sawyer. Audiences are beginning to recognize him, and he's already earning rave reviews for his current role.

"All the young kids were just great, especially [Kyle], the lead," said Ray Muzzy of Saratoga following the opening night performance. "He was very good."

Kyle says he's beginning to get used to the leading roles.

"It wasn't my first leading role--my first big lead was Tom Sawyer--but it's still exciting," he says. "But I like Oliver even better. I get to sing a lot more."

When he's not rehearsing or performing, Kyle says he enjoys playing lacrosse and volleyball.

Aside from Kyle, another scene-stealer in the show is Paul DiLoreto, who plays the Artful Dodger. Paul, an eighth-grader at St. Lucy's, impressed audiences with his comedic style, his dancing and his command of the Cockney accent. Paul says he loves learning different accents for his characters, having appeared in more than 11 shows around the Bay Area with such groups as Children's Musical Theater of San Jose, the Saratoga Drama Group and the Sunnyvale Community Players.

Patricia W. Cheney, who plays the female lead, Nancy, also earned new fans with her performance.

"[She] was really fantastic," Sutherland says. "She came on stronger and stronger as the night went on," adds Muzzy.

'Oliver!' runs through Dec. 3. Friday and Saturday performances begin at 8 p.m. and are $24. Saturday and Sunday matinees begin at 2:30 p.m. and are $22. Seniors over 65 and children under 16 get $2 off. High school and college students can get half-price tickets 20 minutes before curtain. For reservations and more information, call 408.268.3777 or visit www.wvlo.org.