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A CurtainUp New Jersey Review
Newsies
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Take that old horse pulling the milk cart. See how her back’s all broke with beatings, her eyes dull from starin’ at nothing but garbage bins and sewer grates? Barely looks alive. If this town done that to a horse, what’d ya think it’s doing to us? — Jack
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Jeremy Jordan (center) and company membersin Newsies
(Photo: T Charles Erickson) |
In typical fashion for a bomb, Newsies died and went to TV/DVD heaven where the strangest thing happened. It developed a devoted and adoring cult following that grew to the point where a better life for it was ordained by the film’s eight-time Academy Award-winning composer Alan Menken and lyricist Jack Feldman with the help of the Disney Theatrical Productions. With an expanded/enhanced exhilarating score, a more than commendably revised book by four time Tony Award-winner Harvey Fierstein (based on the original screenplay by Bob Tzudiker and Noni White) plenty of vigorously athletic choreography by Christopher Gattelli, Newsies has everything it needs to secure its future as a popular stage entertainment for the entire family.
Based on the real-life story of a group of newsboys who went on a two-week long strike in New York City in 1899 against the unfair policies being initiated by the ruthless, prominent and powerful publishers Joseph Pulitzer and William Randolph Hearst, Newsies is the story of a courageous young newsboy Jack Kelly (Jeremy Jordan) who organizes his fellow and mostly homeless newsboys. Their protest is prompted by Pulitzer's decision to raise the cost of the newspapers that the newsboys have to first buy before they can sell.
The result of the new collaboration is an exuberant mix of song, dance and some surprisingly topical and politically compelling dramatic action. (Background note: Although labor unions had begun being formed in the mid 19th century, it initial impact wasn’t sustained due to poor management.} This is a fast-moving, spectacularly designed, excitingly performed musical that should keep its intended family audiences well entertained.
With its setting at a time when Republicans had once again regained their power and control over the working classes, this musical is also a wake up call to all those who sit idly by today as collective bargaining by the Unions and the Unions themselves are being denounced by right wing governors, capitalists, corporatists, and industrialists. Does that mean that Newsies a message musical? You bet, and one that would undoubtedly have warmed the agitprop heart of the late political playwright/activist Bertolt Brecht.
Does the show's having a message also mean that we will be bludgeoned by the message? If dancing up a storm in protest to and support of a righteous cause is a kind of bludgeoning, then choreographer Gattelli and his tough corps of Newsies are guilty. If the singing of such rousing anthems as “Carrying the Banner,” “The World Will Know” and “Seize the Day” by Jack and the young activists gathered from all the boroughs of New York City tear at your heart and move you to cheer, it’s partially because we are urging them on.
With Jeremy Jordan's dynamic Jack leading his Newsies in their many, varied and boisterously athletic routines to confront the police, the hired goons, scabs and, finally, Pulitzer in his New York Sun office, this is a musical that is every bit as by-movement-and-song-propelled as any ever conceived by Twyla Tharp. We can sense that there is something extra special afoot when we spot the taps clamped onto the Newsies work-boots as they gather for a meeting at Jacobi’s Deli. Their zeal finds an outlet in a ferocious ensemble tap number during which every table feels the brunt of their collective determination.
Aside from the terrific dancing, all the Newsies are nicely individualized in Fierstein’s beautifully focused book. Jordan remains the principal mover and shaker-upper. Signed to portray Clyde Barrow in the new musical Bonnie and Clyde opening later this season on Broadway, Jordan demonstrates his star power by putting his “New Yawk” state of mind, body and voice to work, especially in his character’s wish-fulfillment theme song “Santa Fe.” That humdinger of a ballad opens the show with Jordan standing atop the spectacular, applause-deserving setting designed by Tobin Ost. This is a huge metal construction comprised of elevated, compartmentalized sections that pivot, move, and interlock with awesome ease.
Also impressive is the stream of cityscape projections provided by Sven Ortel. Kudos to Jeff Croiter's splendidly atmospheric lighting which stresses the grimmer hard-scrabble life on the streets for the Newsies. Costume designer Jess Goldstein is responsible for the Newsies authentically grubby attire.
The basic plot is enhanced winningly through Jack’s friendship with the physically challenged but brimming with personality “Crutchie” (Andrew Keenan-Bolger); as is his romance with Katherine (Kara Lindsay), a young woman journalist who wants to write an article in support of their protest but who is also hiding a secret. Despite my persistent griping about how often (as in this case as well) electronic amplification destroys a soprano’s voice, Lindsay gives a delightfully spunky performance. She and Jordan have an affecting romantic moment on a rooftop where they sing the poignant duet “Then I See You.”
Jack’s flair with a paint brush helps him earn a little extra money painting scenery at a neighborhood saloon where he also maintains a friendship with saloon singer Medda Larkin (Helen Anker.) Anker is put in the spotlight with a saucy number “Don’t Come a-Knockin’” accompanied by “the girls.”
Particularly endearing among the Newsies are the brainy Davey (Ben Fankhuser) and Les (Vincent Agnello) his younger and fearless 10 year-old brother who, despite not being homeless like the other Newsies, become committed to helping Jack to insure that “The World Will Know.”
The show's meanies also have their standouts, notably John Dosset as the power-hungry Pulitzer. Fierstein’s script makes it easy to also dislike John E. Brady, as the smarmy newspaper distributor “Wiesel, and Stuart Marland as the corrupt thug Snyder.
A lot of credit must go to director Jeff Calhoun who has rallied thirty-two performers, some playing multiple roles, to create an impressively unified ensemble. There is further comfort in knowing that Governor Theodore Roosevelt (Kevin Carolan) comes to the aid of the Newsies, just as another relative of his came to the rescue of Little Orphan Annie in another musical. Whether Newsies will have as long a life as Annie remains to be seen, which leads me to to recall the refrain that Katherine sings at her typewriter: “Watch What Happens.”
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Newsies Music by Alan Menken, Lyrics by Jack Feldman, Book by Harvey Fierstein Directed by Jeff Calhoun Choreography by Christopher Gattelli Principal Cast: Jeremy Jordan (Jack Kelly), The Newsies: Andrew Keenan-Bolger, Ryan Breslin, Garett Hawe, Ryan Steele, Kyle Coffman, Aaron J. Albano, Andy Richardson, Evan Kasprzak, Scott Shedenhelm, JP Ferreri, Corey Hummerston, Tommy Bracco, Brendon Stimson, Mike Faist, and Max Ehrich. Kara Linday (Katherine Plumber), Max Ehrich (Darcy), John E. Brady (Wiesel), Helen Anker (Medda Larkin). Scenic Design: Tobin Ost Costume Design: Jess Goldstein Lighting Design: Jeff Croiter Projection Design: Sven Ortel. Sound Design: Randy Hansen Running Time: 2 hours 30 minutes including intermission Paper Mill Playhouse, 22 Brookside Drive, Millburn, New Jersey (973) 379 – 3636 Tickets ($25.00 - $96.00) Performances: Wednesdays and Fridays at 7 PM; Thursday, Saturdays and Sundays at 1:30 and 7 PM. From: 09/15/11 Opening: 09/25/11 Closing: 10/16/11 Review by Simon Saltzman based on performance 09/25/11 |
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Musical Numbers
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Act One
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Act Two
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