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A musical based on the New York City newsboy strike of 1899. When young newspaper sellers are exploited beyond reason by their bosses they set out to enact change and are met by the ruthlessness of big business.
The Winspear Opera House in Dallas has always been one of the theatre venues that sets the bar. Not only did the excellence of Disney’s production completely blow my mind, but the above and beyond care and grace that the staff at the Opera House takes with their patrons was spectacular. I have wanted to see “Newsies” performed on stage from the first time I saw the movie back in 1992. I was NOT disappointed. Anything but! As the curtain rose and the opening numbers exploded, I found myself in tears. These were characters and music that I’ve known and loved for almost 25 years, and here they were, perfectly portrayed and brilliantly orchestrated.
“Newsies,” the Disney Theatrical Production, is an adaptation of the 1992 Disney movie musical which was inspired by the book ‘Children Of the City’ by David Nasaw. But it all really boils down to the true life newsboy strike of 1899. We have music by Alan Menken; lyrics by Jack Feldman; book by Harvey Fierstein, director Jeff Calhoun; and choreographer Christopher Gattelli to thank for bringing this story to life on the Broadway stage, and now in the national tour.
The technical aspects of the show will thrill and confound any theatre rat. With over 30 years of on stage and back stage theatre experience under my belt and stuffed in my tap shoes, I found myself unable to stop marveling at the technical wonder that Disney has brought to life. With a set of three revolving multi level towers and rolling window shade like computer screens that appear and disappear form different levels on these towers, we are taken from the back streets of New York City to a burlesque hall, to Newsie’s square, to the rooftops of Manhattan and the office of Joseph Pulitzer without a single glitch or misstep. I had to keep reminding myself that the scenery was the same three towers the entire time.
As the musical opens and unfolds, we follow the hard lives of New York City’s paper boys. Most are homeless orphans or poverty stricken boys trying just to keep from starving or freezing in the streets. We hear their dreams for a better life, feel their hopes of fair treatment and understand their ambition and determination to – as the song says – to seize the day.
“Newsies” is made up largely of musical numbers that feel like blazing banner headlines. Just as you are catching your breath from one number, you’re swept up in the next “headline” heart pounding, breath taking song and dance. Although the lead characters of the newsboys “union” are too old to look like street urchins, not a great deal of suspension of belief is needed to become completely immersed in this epic story. There’s a certain nostalgia for Broadway musicals that rally around the street urchin underdog such as “Annie” and “Oliver.” “Newsies” does that, and then wraps a bit of love story around the edges like a piece of bacon around a perfect filet mignon.
There were a few performances that fell slightly flat for me. The part of Medda Larkin, the burlesque hall owner and champion to news boys leader Jack Kelly, was difficult to hear and understand – especially when she sang. I missed the original music that Medda sang in the movie, and her character lacked depth and believability. The part of Governor Teddy Roosevelt was also disappointing. He delivered his lines in a very cartoonish manor, not at all compatible with the role.
But if that’s all I have to complain about…run, don’t walk to the nearest ticket booth to buy your tickets to see “Newsies.” The attention to detail is beyond spectacular. If you’re lucky enough to get one of the papers that the newsboys throw off stage at the end of act one, check out the date and stories on your paper!
“Newsies” runs from April 29 – May 10 at the Winspear Opera House
wish i could have seen it…it sounds amazing