Review: Overture Center Makes the Headlines with NEWSIES

There is nothing about a newspaper boy strike in 1899 that screams theatrical breakthrough - unless Disney gets a hold of it.

Derived from the 1992 cult classic film of the same name, Newsies has come to Madison for just one short week. With two 2012 Tony Awards in tow, the touring cast of newsies, Pulitzers, and even President Teddy Roosevelt side stepped their way into the Overture Center last night. Met with, of what's sure to be several, a full house, the audience in Overture Hall was electric.

The crowd, predominantly female, anxiously awaited the rag tag team of fellas led by the confidant Jack Kelly (Dan DeLuca). On a mission to unionize the paper boys of the city, all the boys want is fair compensation for a long day's work. What stands in their way is a group of villainous newspaper owners who would prefer to bolster their bottom dollar rather than provide a better wage to the street bound youngsters.

Armed with their no nonsense scowls, the boys could easily be pegged as one dimensional. In a production like this, however, they are as well rounded as anyone could want.

For instance, not only was DeLuca an endearingly snarky Jack, but his duos with Katherine (Stephanie Styles) and Davey (Jacob Kemp) hush the excited attendees. For all of the joy this Disneyfied musical has to offer, it also contains several moments of reflection for both the characters and audience members alike.

After all, Newsies is about child labor and children living in extreme poverty in New York City at the turn of the 20th century - things can't all be fine and dandy.

Created by a few fellas also from Noo Yawk, the show brings with it a taste of The Big Apple complete with heavy accents and stereotypical 'tough guy' attitudes. Alan Menken (Beauty and the Beast and Aladdin) and Jack Feldman (Lion King II: Simba's Pride) are no strangers to the inner workings of Disney or the great pandemonium the Mouse's musicals bring. Combining Menken's music with Feldman's catchy, yet compelling, lyrics Newsies is a show that charms while it transports its audiences to a different time.

Surrounded by larger than life sets created by Tobin Ost, it is difficult not to feel immersed in the world of the newsies. The young performers weave in and out of metal scaffolding, racing up stairs and making hearts race in anticipation of what was to come. It is in these moments of hurried racing that the award winning choreography by Christopher Gattelli truly shines.

Not only can this ensemble cast fill a theatre with delectable melody - they can saunter their way through the streets of New York City doing splits or backflips until the sun goes down. There is so much happening all at once on stage and it flows so seamlessly together that it's almost poetic.

With indescribably intricate dance numbers, hints of Disney magic, as well as light footed chorus members, it's no wonder that this show has gained so much momentum.

The bottom line here is that Disney sells tickets, the newsies sell papes, and their show is an evening of bona fide fun.

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