Review: DISNEY'S NEWSIES at The Maltz Jupiter Theatre Shines

Great theatre, simply put, relies on drive. Any production can have the ingredients of a show worth watching, but not many have the plain ol' gumption it takes to use them to their full potential. The Maltz Jupiter Theatre's Newsies does. It overflows with passion and determination, as infectious as the cartoonish charm that's become synonymous with the show's title.

It would be far too easy to lean into the popularity of Newsies, especially with a production as expensive-looking as this. (Efforts to think of a more fitting adjective to describe the lavish set pieces, costumes, and lights all failed.) Beauty can be a filler for substance, but director Marcos Santana and his vibrant cast of 26 refuse to let it be so. Most stellar is leading man John Arthur Greene as Jack Kelly, the leader of the ragtag group of misfits that make up the youthful union on strike. Marry these elements- the force, the cast, the dazzling tech- and you're left with a show not to be missed.

This evening, the show was forced to stop halfway through the first act after a medical emergency in the audience. There was a confused air in the house as the action was forced to grind to a halt, the actors retreating into the wings. Fortunately, the assistance needed was provided and the show went on. As the lights went down for the restart after at least fifteen minutes of starkly lit stillness, I felt a nervous feeling in my gut: it isn't easy to jump back into any show after a sudden stop. But a show like Newsies? It would take some sort of miracle to recover.

What did I say about drive again? Because I believe I forgot to mention its magic. Prior to the pause, Act One had been stumbling; standard opening night fumbles and missteps abound. But when the reset button had been pushed, the energy flowing from the stage was so full, you could cut it with a knife. A blow of pure joy walloped us all back into the story, more involved than ever. Why am I detailing all of this, exactly? Because the act of bouncing back from a moment of confusion, of uncertainty and fear, and being able to turn out a performance that wasn't only equal, but superior to the moments that came before, is a gift not enough casts are endowed with.

If all this isn't enough- the dance element of the show is paramount. The cast spend the majority of the 2+ hours they're onstage flipping, twirling, and tapping with sparkling clean precision. The pure aesthetics of the production are not to be overstated; the projections that serve as transitions, set pieces, and characters, the glittering, bloody, tattered costumes, all come together under the scaffolding to build a picture more elaborate than anything Jack Kelly could paint in a cabaret basement.

Yet. It's important to remember that Newsies is a live performance, and none are without flaws. Jokes fell flat, more than a few lines were discarded and thrown to the wayside during book scenes. In fact, many of the non-musical portions felt dried out and underappreciated, which in many courts could be ruled a felony offense with a book by Harvey Fierstien. Yes, the songs are where these newsboys (and girls!) shine, and shine brightly they do, with tight acrobatics dovetailed neatly with an Alan Menken-penned score that's so catchy it could scientifically be called parasitic. Not the worst thing, for a family musical.

It isn't easy to admit, but I was wary of The Maltz's Newsies. It wouldn't be preposterous if you are, too. But fear not. The ride may have a few bumps, but the cast is so thrilled to be driving the car that you don't mind jumping a curb or two. So buckle up- and trust that they know where they're going.