'Newsies' at Waterbury's Palace Theater - My Review

“Not since Wicked has there been a big-tent Broadway musical that gets so much so right. An invigorating extravaganza! A barnstorming, four-alarm delight.” David Cote, Time Out New York

I can’t say that I have ever used another reviewers quote to open a review, but this recommendation compares Newsies to one of my favorite shows, and I also happen to agree with everything else it says.

Newsies, the new American musical, features a Tony® Award-winning score with music by eight-time Academy Award® winner Alan Menken and lyrics by Jack Feldman, a book by four-time Tony® Award winner Harvey Fierstein and is produced by Disney Theatrical Productions, NEWSIES is directed by Tony® nominee Jeff Calhoun and choreographed by Christopher Gattelli, who won a 2012 Tony Award® for his work. The entire creative team has reunited to bring the break-out smash musical to audiences across North America and it shows.

When it opened on March 29, 2012 Newsies was intended for a Broadway run of just 101 performances. The show’s fiercely devoted fans had other ideas, however; they propelled the show to a run of 1005 performances, attendance of more than 1 million and a gross of over $100M. While on Broadway, Newsies set and broke seven Nederlander Theatre house records and became the highest-grossing show from the 2011-12 Broadway season. The show received 23 major theatrical nominations – including eight Tony Award® nods – and won Tony®, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Awards for Score and Choreography. I was so glad that I was able to catch the original Broadway cast early in the run.

Set in New York City at the turn of the century, Newsies is the rousing tale of Jack Kelly (played well by Dan DeLuca, who recently appeared at Goodspeed in the role of Danny in Stephen Schwartz’s Snapshots) a charismatic newsboy and leader of a ragged band of teenaged ‘newsies,’ who dreams only of a better life far from the hardship of the streets. But when publishing titans Joseph Pulitzer (Steve Blanchard) and William Randolph Hearst raise distribution prices at the newsboys’ expense, Jack finds a cause to fight for and rallies newsies from across the city to strike for what’s right.

I can honestly say that all of the Broadway elements that I remember were present in this touring company production at the magnificent Palace Theater in Waterbury that has the distinction of hosting the CT premiere of Newsies. Frank Tavera told the very full audience that the show opens the Palace’s tenth season. During those ten years, a million patrons have attended 1,000 events that includes 60 Broadway level shows. Some of the dedicated Palace volunteers were sporting blue ribbons to indicate that they have volunteered for the entire ten years.

The beautiful projections were adapted by Daniel Brodie to be brought along on the road, as was the massive scaffolding designed by Tobin Ost that travels about the stage. I am told that the roof of the Palace stage had to be raised in order to accomodate the height of the set. The lighting designed by Jeff Croiter was noticeably beautiful. Conductor James Dodgson led the talented musicians in the orchestra pit. I liked all of the numbers, but the best by far are the choral dance numbers.

What makes this musical so memorable is the stage full of outstanding young male dancers. The choreography by Christopher Gattelli is stellar and the young men don’t miss a single step. It is such a pleasure to watch them all work such magic with every step and leap. “Seize the Day” was my favorite.

Newsies is the ultimate male-heavy show, but there are a few ladies in the cast. Stephanie Styles was a strong and funny Katherine, the reporter/love interest with a secret; as she sang “Something to Believe In” with Mr. DeLuca I was struck with the fact that they both have Broadway voices. Angela Grovey as Miss Medda Larkin was another strong presence. Jacob Kemp played the cerebral sidekick Davey, and Zachary Sayle tugged at the heartstrings as Crutchie. Nine year old New Jersey resident Vincent Crocilla covered the role of Davey’s little brother Les at the performance I attended. Kevin Carolan, a member of the original Broadway cast of Newsies, played the role of Gov. Roosevelt.

Rounding out the cast are Mark Aldrich (Newsies original cast,) Josh Assor, Evan Autio, Bill Bateman, Joshua Michael Burrage, Kevin Carolan, DeMarius Copes, Benjamin Cook, Julian DeGuzman (Newsies on Broadway,) Nico De Jesus, Sky Flaherty, Steve Greenstein, Jon Hacker, Jeff Heimbrock, Stephen Hernandez, James Judy, Meredith Inglesby, Eric John Mahlum (Wicked,) Ginna Claire Mason, Michael Ryan, Jordan Samuels, Jack Sippel, Melissa Steadman Hart, Andrew Wilson and Chaz Wolcott.

How fortunate are we that this show makes its debut in our state in nearby Waterbury. I highly recommend getting tickets for one of the two remaining performances, Saturday at 2:00pm and 8:00pm. Tickets for the Palace Theater’s Webster Broadway Series presentation of Newsies are $70, $60, $50, and $30, and can be purchased by phone at 203-346-2000, online at www.palacetheaterct.org, or in person at the Box Office, 100 East Main Street in Waterbury