Review: NEWSIES at Rise Above

Rise Above Theater takes this show on in stride. There were many production choices that made this not just a night at the theater, but an experience! From being greeted at the door and ushered to our seats by the costumed cast, to the entire theater being used as a stage including side bar and aisles. In addition to this the crowd could not have been more excited, positive, and just plain fun than this group of family and friends. This is a prime example of what a community theater should offer and be for the youth in our area. According to some attendants that I spoke with in the crowd (grandparents of 2 of the cast), the kids were so excited to be in this production and working with “an actual Broadway Star”, the director Kerry Butler.

The format follows closely to the Broadway production, taking its cues from the multi-use props and stage scaffolding. The high energy athletic dancing and fast pace are on point as well. Based on a true story from the depths of New York City history, Newsies made it’s debut as a 1992 pre-star studded Disney movie, with Christian Bale as the Lead, Jack Kelly. The story is based on a true story of the 1899 paper-boy strike that happened when two newspapers united to raise the charge for newspapers, and epitomizes the haves and have nots that are still all too familiar today. The newspaper boys created a rag-tag union under their leaders and refused to pay the higher fee by uniting with all children that were laboring throughout the New York boroughs. This unification brought the city to a complete stand still and Joseph Pulitzer and William Randolph Herst had to bend to the children’s demands!

Twenty years later Newsies made its debut on Broadway at the Nederlander Theater, where it played for more than 1,004 performances. Of all of Disney’s productions on Broadway it was the fastest to turn a profit. Those who grew up with the movie were thrilled to see this musical come to life on the stage. And those who love New York even more so, with hits like “I’m the King of New York” and “Brooklyn’s Here”. After seeing it for the first time here I even felt like I loved New York a little bit more!

Part history lesson, part athletics, musical and sheer energy this production of Newsies is well worth taking your time to see. You just may be seeing one of Broadway’s next stars. Joseph Tricarico as the lead brings forth an attitude that makes you believe he could not only lead these kids to triumph, but much more. Max Dalmau as Les brings light to every single scene he is in with comic relief and sheer adorability! There were a few standouts in the general scenes as well, including Mia Cook, William Hahn and Victoria Rezende, whose dancing and stage presence were so strong they really stole the scenes with their superior dancing and outright gift.

Newsies runs October 19th-22nd & 26th-29th at Rise Above Performing Arts Center, 3501 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota FL

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