Review: NEWSIES THE BROADWAY MUSICAL Is Good News For The Rose Theater!

There is good news at the Rose Theater! NEWSIES The Broadway Musical opened on June 1st and will run through the 17th. This extra special show is sure to be a sold out edition.

Alan Menken's and Jack Feldman's hit musical with book by Harvey Fierstein is based on the 1992 Disney film and was originally staged on Broadway by Disney Theatrical Productions.

The story of NEWSIES is based on history. In 1899 newsboy Kid Blink (so named because he was blind in one eye) led a group of New York kids who made their living peddling newspapers on the street in a rebellion against power house publishers, Joseph Pulitzer and William Randolph Hearst. The two week strike across the Brooklyn Bridge caused disruptions in traffic and eventually resulted in a dramatic increase in circulation of Pulitzer's New York World and better compensation for the newspaper boys known as "newsies."

Kid Blink was renamed Jack Kelly in the Broadway musical and lost the eye patch, but much of the story remained the same. NEWSIES ran for two years, becoming the first Disney show on Broadway to turn a profit. That can possibly be attributed to the story line, but the choreography played a huge part in the success of this energetic dancing, acrobatic musical.

The plot of NEWSIES runs like this: Pulitzer is upping the price of newspapers that are sold to the urchins who peddle the papers, making it impossible for them to make a living. Jack Kelly, a natural born leader, decides to protest the increase and gathers the boys into a makeshift union to strike against big publishers. Pulitzer sends out cops to stop the strike, imprisoning Jack's friend Crutchy and putting Warden Snyder of the juvenile detention center on Jack's trail to capture him for his previous "crimes." Jack hides out with his vaudeville friend, Medda Lark, for whom he paints backdrop landscapes. While there, he meets a young journalist, Katherine Plumber, who is trying to break into the male dominated world of news reporting. Plumber steps in to aid the newsies because she knows that "It's the headline that crowns the victor."

Guest director Jerry Jay Cranford, himself an accomplished actor, singer and dancer, guides a truly impressive cast. Some of the finer singers and dancers in the Omaha metro appear on stage doing justice to the high octane Broadway production.

Andrew Wright as Jack Kelly has all the kick butt attitude of a rebellious youth with a golden heart and gift for leading. He is determined to make things better for his family, which consists of the orphans who live and work with him.

Torisa Walker as the aspiring newspaper journalist known as Katherine Plumber, is so natural that you forget she's an actress playing a part. She becomes a powerful voice for the newsies. Speaking of powerful voices, she has one of the best voices on stage. This lady is a pro who could be appearing in a few headlines of her own in the years to come.

Patrick Wolfe plays the newspaper tycoon Joseph Pulitzer with just the right amount of hardened resolve who shows the slightest crack in his armor.

Marcel Daly, is delightful as Davey, the boy helping his unemployed father by providing for his family and taking care of his younger brother Les, adorably played by Winston Schneider. Daly is another up and coming triple threat.

Jake Parker draws our sympathy as Crutchy, determined to stick by his friend despite his own physical challenges. Zhomontee Watson gets to strut her diva self once again as the show girl Medda Lark. Both are wonderful singers in an ensemble rife with talent.

There is so much to love about this show. The vocals are fantastic. And the dancers? Oh my gosh! I dare you to take your eyes off of Fran Adrianto as he leaps, taps, turns and sets that stage on fire. Camryn Jordan adds amazing flips and acrobatics that surprise and delight. Choreographer Sue Gillespie Booton deserves credit

for stellar ensemble work. They are a joy to watch.

Projection Designer Brittany Merenda, Lighting Designer Craig S. Moxon, and Scenic Designer Tim McMath go a leap above with an amazing set of rolling ladders, platforms and backdrops, accented with some of the most beautiful lighting I've seen. At one point there is an archway at the front of the stage that appears to be made from newsprint and is lit up with colored lights that is artistry.

Sherri Geerdes' costumes are period appropriate and just right. The sound system faltered a bit here and there with some crackling and there were times I couldn't quite catch the words of the boys in the scene with the nuns. Who cares? The show is fantastic!

I am extra sold on this show. I'd see it again.

Photo Credit: Alex Myhre