BWW Reviews: NEWSIES Ensemble Makes Headlines at Winspear Opera House!

As a preteen in 1992, thanks to a "free week" of The Disney Channel, I became an expert on the working conditions of the 1899 newsboys of New York, and their famous conflict with newspaper giants William Randolph Hurst and Joseph Pulitzer. I also discovered a love for musical theatre, as I watched the dozens of acrobatic young men singing, dancing and exploding onto the streets of New York City as NEWSIES. When the tape I'd recorded the film on was eventually "eaten" by my VHS player (and with Disney discontinuing distribution) my mother and I convinced Blockbuster to sell us their copy, once they acknowledged that we'd been the only rental for several months. When a DVD was eventually released the following decade, my mother immediately gifted me a copy, which I memorized word-for-word. NEWSIES finally made it's way to the stage in 2011, and I excitedly traveled to New Jersey for its premier, followed by two additional trips to see the production on Broadway. To say I'm a "Fansie" may be an understatement, so I couldn't have been more excited to seize the day with the touring company earlier this week.

The prologue of the movie (which, onstage, is replaced with by a reconstructed version of one of the show's more famous songs, "Santa Fe") perfectly summarizes the plot: "In 1899, the streets of New York echoed with the voices of Newsies peddling the papers of Joseph Pulitzer, William Randolph Hearst, and other giants of the newspaper world. On every corner you heard them carrying the banner, bringing you the news for a penny a pape'. Poor orphans and runaways, the newsies were a ragged army, without a leader. Until one day, all that changed."

As the leader of the crew, Jack Kelly (played on tour by Dan Deluca), carries as much of the show as he does newspapers. With nine songs, a love interest, a subplot, and a dozen younger Newsies under his wing, Mr. Deluca rarely catches a breath in the two-and-a-half hour show. Fortunately, his confidence and clear vocals prove successful in making such a challenge look effortless. With a smaller build than his predecessors, Deluca's Jack Kelly offers a younger, perhaps more authentic look to the role, played on film by Christian Bale, and onstage by Jeremy Jordan and Corey Cott (who just opened on Broadway in Gigi, alongside Disney star Vanessa Hudgens).

Playing opposite Mr. Deluca is the adorable Stephanie Styles as Katherine. As a young female fighting for opportunities in a "man's world," Katherine bumps into Jack Kelly, with whom she forms an unlikely (albeit predictable) relationship...with a couple of plot-twisting hurdles along the way. Ms. Styles quirky performance is sassy, bold and fun, complimented by her Barbie-doll looks and Disney princess voice.

Onstage at the Winspear Opera House, the young NEWSIES ensemble is the true star of the show, creating Disney magic right in front of your eyes. With jaw-dropping (and Tony-Award-winning) choreography, Christopher Gatelli filled the large stage with frequent back flips, split-leaps, tricks and turns, allowing each of the triple-threat, twenty-something-year-old actors their own moment to shine. Still, Benjamin Cook, as Race, deserves praise for frequently standing out among his skilled peers, particularly as he leads the group in the rousing "King of New York".

With Alan Menken and Jack Feldman's show-stopping songs, like "Santa Fe," "Carrying the Banner" and "Seize the Day," the show moves as quickly as a train traveling from New York to New Mexico. Although the script is occasionally less effective than the music, Harvey Fierstein's book overcame some significant issues that otherwise prevented the musical from appearing in front of a live audience. Fans of the movie may have to adapt to some adjusted lyrics, a new subplot, and a major character being rewritten as the opposite gender, but Spot Conlon (and his muscles) still appear, helping David battle Goliath, and bringing together all of the best moments from the original story.

NEWSIES, skillfully directed by Jeff Calhoun, is the perfect option for a family-friendly evening of theatre. As is to be expected in a Disney Theatrical's production, the scenery and costumes are built to perfection, and the actors seem to be, quite literally, jumping for joy each night. NEWSIES continues at the Winspear Opera House through May 10th, at 8:00 PM Tuesdays through Saturdays, and at 7:30 PM on Sundays. Matinee performances are at 2:00 PM on Saturdays and Sundays. Tickets are available at www.attpac.org/.

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