Newsies - Who has the dance solo?

Posted: 5/20/16 at 2:14pm

Caught the Newsies tour a few days ago and thought the dancing was fantastic.

During "Seize the Day," who has the dance solo--the one at 4:00 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_Sz7_7T50Q)?  Does the solo go to a particular character in the ensemble (Specs, Race, etc.), or does it go to a particular actor/dancer?  Anyone know who had the solo in the Broadway production, and who has it now during the tour?

[bdboston]

Posted: 5/20/16 at 2:20pm

On B'way, and in this clip, that's Ryan Steele/"Specs."

[asmith0307]

Posted: 5/20/16 at 2:41pm

bdboston said: "On B'way, and in this clip, that's Ryan Steele/"Specs."

After Ryan left, it went to his replacement John Michael Fiumara.

 

On tour, the Race - Benjamin (Ben) Cook - did the turn sequence. I haven't seen the tour since he left for Tuck Everlasting so I am not 100% sure who has it now but I would assume it is his replacement. 

 

I think when they were setting both, it went to the person who could do those turns. Ryan originally started out training to be a professional ballet dancer and Ben is a former Billy Elliot. 

 

[sorano916]

Posted: 5/20/16 at 4:05pm

After Ben left, I believe that Chaz does the turns.

[asmith0307]

Posted: 5/20/16 at 5:13pm

It wasn't until this post that I realized that Andy Richardson joined the tour cast as Crutchie... I haven't seen it in over a year, but I may catch one of the final stops in the fall. 

[trpguyy]

Posted: 5/20/16 at 11:49pm

Michael Dameski, another former Billy and winner of Australia's So You Think You Can Dance, currently does this feature on the tour. 

Updated On: 5/21/16 at 11:49 PM