BWW Reviews: NEWSIES Chock Full of Amazing Dancers at TPAC

Newsies: The Musical opened last night at Tennessee Performing Arts Center to an enthusiastic audience filled with people of all ages. The last performance in the 2014-2015 TPAC season, Disney's Newsies sheds a light on the past, while mirroring many aspects of the world today.

In 1992, Disney released the movie-musical version of Newsies to their young audiences. The story and music made for a rousing movie, but for all intents and purposes, this version of Newsies was a flop. That made little difference to the young people who were introduced to the film as children; Newsies became a cult-classic.

When Disney decided to stage Newsies, they brought in Harvey Fierstein to work on the book. Alan Menkin and Jack Feldman contributed music and lyrics. There were some fundamental changes to the structure but the staged version of Newsies held on to all the charm and the heart of the story. In 2012, Newsies: The Musical came to Broadway and was nominated for eight Tony Awards, winning two of those, including Best Original Score and Best Choreography.

Scenic design by Tobin Ost and lighting by Jeff Croiter meld for a spectacular set that moves and adjusts for the many settings throughout the production. Costuming by Jess Goldstein fits perfectly with the time period, while still allowing the actors to do some incredible dancing onstage. The show is expertly directed by Jeff Calhoun.

Loosely based on the real-life newsboys strike of 1899, Newsies opens the doors to the world of child labor in the late 1800s, and the battle that was fought to gain some rights for the children who worked to support themselves and their families.

Dan DeLuca plays Jack Kelly, the unofficial leader of a group of newsboys that sells papers for the New York World. When Joseph Pulitzer, played by Steve Blanchard, decides that the only way to curb his declining paper sales is to increase the price of the papers that he sells to the newsies, Jack and his friends are angry. With the "brains" of Davey, played by Jacob Kemp and the inspiration of the ongoing trolley workers' strike happening in the city, Jack helps to organize a city-wide strike of all the newsboys.

While many reporters could care less about the newsboys' plight, Katherine Plummer, played by Stephanie Styles, takes notice. A female reporter, relegated to the social pages and reviews of shows, Katherine sees a chance to break out while helping those her own age. Jack's friend, and theatre owner, Medda Larkin, played by Angela Grovey, pitches in as well, allowing the newsboys to use her theatre when they need a place to go. Zachary Sayle plays Crutchie, Jack's best friend and fellow newsboy. Crutchie doesn't let his handicap stop him, but Jack looks at him as family and protects Crutchie as well as he can.

The biggest talent of the show may be the ensemble cast. A cast chock full of amazingly talented dancers, Newsies shows the beauty of combining said dancers and the superbly talented choreographer, Christopher Gattelli. There are so many great dance moments throughout this production of Newsies. "King of New York" is perhaps my favorite dance moment of they show, though "Seize the Day" in all its versions (there are several reprises of this throughout the show) were fantastically received by the entire audience.

It often seems today that life is fraught with apathy and complacency and Newsies becomes a great conversation starter for young and old alike. This musical essentially becomes what the original newsboys strike of 1899 was: a call to action. For children, it's a history lesson and a lesson in standing up for yourself and those you see who aren't being treated fairly. For adults, it becomes a chance to look around your own world and see the change that needs to happen...and gives the inspiration to be a part of that change.

Newsies: The Musical plays at Tennessee Performing Arts Center through May 31st. Don't let this show slip by. Let this be the show you share with your friends and the young people in your life. Let it be the catalyst for making changes in your own world, and let us learn from the past. You can purchase tickets to see Newsies by visiting TPAC's website or by calling the box office at 615-782-4040.

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