It's not unusual for movies to be adapted for the stage these days, in fact, it's become rather commonplace. But typically, musicals written for the screen that flop (even though they might have a rather substantial cult following), are usually avoided for obvious reasons. Although, that didn't stop the producers of XANADU from plowing forward, go figure. The Disney film NEWSIES actually seems likes a logical choice to revamp and produce on the stage, and it wound up winning Tony Awards for best score and choreography back in 2012, and becoming quite the hit. So why am I so surprised? I guess because the current touring production, while occasionally dazzling, comes off slightly uninspired and flat. Now, don't get me wrong, there are some really fine performances, an eye catching scenic design, cool effects, and energetic choreography that certainly lives up to expectations. And, like the film, an awful lot of people, both young and old, are guaranteed to truly love this show, as evidenced by the very enthusiastic response from the audience at the performance I attended.
Cast members from the North American tour of Disney's NEWSIES will present The Newsboys' Variety Show, a cabaret to benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS (BC/EFA), on Monday, January 25, 2016 at 7:30pm at John Burroughs School (Haertter Hall, 755 S Price Road/St. Louis, MO 63124). Doors open at 7pm. Show begins at 7:30pm, with a VIP reception immediately following.
The Milwaukee engagement of Disney's NEWSIES begins performances at the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts tonight, January 5 for a limited engagement through Sunday, January 10.
When I was a child, I was a paper boy. I schlepped a stack of 100 papers all around the little town 5 miles from my home; I earned a little bit of money and I still have that savings stash today. It wasn't as if I really needed the money, it was more a lesson about the need to be useful in society. But in New York City, 1899, things were a lot different. At that time, youths sold newspapers in order to survive. This was how orphans and children of unemployed fathers were able to buy food for the day. Many of these kids lived on the streets. Disney's musical NEWSIES tells the plight of these youths. The plot is both a love story and a lesson in capitalism gone sour, bolstered by magnificent dancing and Disney-quality songs. NEWSIES is inspired by the real-life 'Newsboy Strike of 1899,' when newsboy Kid Blink led a band of orphan and runaway newsies on a two-week-long action against Pulitzer, Hearst and other powerful newspaper publishers. The show won Best Choreography and Best Original Score at the 2012 Tony Awards. Ending this weekend at the Fisher Theatre, NEWSIES is as perfect as a musical can get.
Casting has been announced for the Milwaukee engagement of Disney's NEWSIES. The Tony Award-winning production will begin performances at the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts on Tuesday, January 5 for a limited engagement through Sunday, January 10.
Casting has been announced for the Detroit engagement of Disney's NEWSIES. The Tony Award-winning production will begin performances at the Detroit Opera House tonight, December 15 for a limited engagement through December 27.
Casting has been announced for the St. Louis engagement of Disney's NEWSIES. The Tony Award-winning production will begin performances at the Fabulous Fox Theatre on Tuesday, January 19 for a limited engagement through Sunday, January 31.
Casting has been announced for the Detroit engagement of Disney's NEWSIES. The Tony Award-winning production will begin performances at the Detroit Opera House on December 15 for a limited engagement through December 27.
Casting has been announced for the Memphis engagement of Disney's NEWSIES. The Tony Award-winning production will begin performances at the Orpheum Theatre on Tuesday, December 8th for a limited engagement through Sunday, December 13th.
The Fort Lauderdale engagement of Disney's NEWSIES -- the Tony Award-winning production -- begins performances at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts tonight, November 17 for a limited engagement through Sunday, November 29, 2015.
Casting has been announced for the Fort Lauderdale engagement of Disney's NEWSIES. The Tony Award-winning production will begin performances at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts on Tuesday, November 17 for a limited engagement through Sunday, November 29, 2015.
Disney Theatrical Productions welcomes six new principal cast members to the North American tour of Disney's NEWSIES: Joey Barreiro as 'Jack Kelly,' Morgan Keene as 'Katherine,' Aisha de Haas as 'Medda Larkin,' Stephen Michael Langton as 'Davey' and John Michael Pitera and Ethan Steiner alternating the role of 'Les.' These new cast members, aside from Pitera, will begin performances at The Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts in Hartford tonight, October 13.
Disney Theatrical Productions will welcome six new principal cast members to the North American tour of Disney's NEWSIES: Joey Barreiro as 'Jack Kelly,' Morgan Keene as 'Katherine,' Aisha de Haas as 'Medda Larkin,' Stephen Michael Langton as 'Davey' and John Michael Pitera and Ethan Steiner alternating the role of 'Les.' These new cast members, aside from Pitera, will begin performances at The Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts in Hartford on Tuesday, October 13. Pitera will debut at the Providence Performing Arts Center on Tuesday, October 20.
Voting is now underway for St. Louis! We have a record number of votes in already, but if you haven't voted yet, click here to vote! If you have voted already, tell your friends.
Voting is now underway for St. Louis! We have a record number of votes in already, but if you haven't voted yet, click here to vote! If you have voted already, tell your friends.
Voting is now underway for St. Louis! We have a record number of votes in already, but if you haven't voted yet, click here to vote! If you have voted already, tell your friends.
Voting is now underway for St. Louis! We have a record number of votes in already, but if you haven't voted yet, click here to vote! If you have voted already, tell your friends.
Voting is now underway for St. Louis! We have a record number of votes in already, but if you haven't voted yet, click here to vote! If you have voted already, tell your friends.
It was theatre magic at its best: rain lightly came down on closing night as the entire cast of LES MISERABLES at The Muny belted out 'The Epilogue' one more time. The audience lept to their feet as the final notes hung in the air. All week long, The Muny experienced a complete standing ovation before the curtain call began, something that Muny goers said hasn't happened in at least 35 years. The cast of LES MISERABLES experienced the audience's appreciation all week long and their final performance was no exception.
