Review: 'Disney's Newsies' by Broadway Method Academy

Dedicated to all of the professionals working with the up and coming talent of tomorrow

It's David and Goliath do or die, the fight is on and I can't watch what happens.
But all I know is nothing happens if you just give in, it can't be any worse than how it's been,
And it just so happens that we just might win, so whatever happens, let's begin! -”Watch What Happens”

Westport, CT - Broadway Method Academy is the resident conservatory of Westport Country Playhouse, which means BMA gets to present their splashy musicals on the wonderful Playhouse stage. This time it is the marvelous Disney’s NEWSIES The Broadway Musical, and wow, this was a memorable chance for the young performers to work with some of Broadway’s best talent.

Chaz Wolcott joins the BMA family with this show, “marking his 8th time working on NEWSIES!” He both directed and choreographed the cast members with a keen eye to what makes the show so special and the dance moves were classic and energy-filled. There was the requisite dancing upon half-sheets of newsprint and tapping for “King of New York,” all executed perfectly. Mr. Wolcott performed in the first national tour and the live film of Disney’s NEWSIES, as well as on So You Think You Can Dance.

So this time, the talented BMA students had the chance to work with four Equity performers in four of the leading roles. Joey Barreiro, who appeared in the national tours of A BRONX TALE and NEWSIES, as well as in RAGTIME at WBT, took on the role of the charming newsie Jack Kelly. His wonderful singing voice, especially when dreaming of “Santa Fe,” and easy charm worked well in this role. Alaina Mills (first national tour of BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL) was both lovely and spunky in the role of Katherine Plumber and had great chemistry with her costar.

James Judy commanded the role of Pulitzer and appeared to be a fine mentor for the other adults in the cast. Mr. Judy was in the first national tour of NEWSIES, INTO THE WOODS, JEKYLL & HYDE on Broadway, as well as DAMN YANKEES and THE DROWSY CHAPERONE at Goodspeed. And Aisha De Haas, recently seen in the first national tour of NEWSIES, reprised her role as Medda Larkin and all I can say is “That’s Rich.” Ms. De Haas appeared on Broadway in RENT and CAROLINE OR CHANGE, and toured the US and Europe in DREAMGIRLS and AIN’T MISBEHAVIN’.

I realized during this performance that NEWSIES really comes alive when there are children in the cast portraying the striking newspaper carriers, and BMA featured 40+ committed young actors in their cast. The Youth Ensemble included several impossibly cute and well-rehearsed “littles” that I couldn’t stop watching. They appeared to be having the time of their lives when they popped into their scenes and it was infectious. Kudos to Theo Adamson, Charley Bartlett, Olivia Kwok, Carly Mofenson, Rhys Rader, Betsy Ronning, Kaya Scharfstein, Plum Sonnenfeld and Sophia Yanni on making the show even better.

Not to say that the more-experienced teens weren’t just as good. Lilly Zuccala played a nun, a newsie and a woman buying a pape. Bailey Schumacher was a nun, a newsie and a Bowery Beauty. Lizzie Richards appeared as a nun, a newsie and Darcy. Serena Remmes played a nun, a newsie and a goon, while Sheridan Mullins and Kari Erggmann did the same. Miriam Mamadashvilli played a nun, a newsie and a photographer. Gillian Delmhorts and Claudia Cleri donned the habit to play nuns, as well as newsies and Bowery Beauties. Scabs were played by Skylar Giblin, Grayson Aspen and Tain Gregory (a NewArts alum) also played Chalkie.

Cheers to all of the newsies with named roles, who certainly knew how to “Seize the Day.” Ethan Horbury was very strong in the role of Race and Isabel Chistoni did very well as Finch. Kyle Geriak played Albert, Patrick McMenamey played both Elmer and Bill, and Jimmy Hunter was Specs. Phoenix Goodman was Henry, Annika Jonker was able to shine as Buttons, and Jayden was memorable as Romeo. Nathan Ayotte played Mush, Alaina McCarvill was Jojo, and Ryanne Forrest covered both Tommy Boy and Spot Conlon. Ella Miller as Splasher, Emily Seanor as Mike, Genevieve Seanor as Ike, and Nicholas Ferreira as Smalls rounded out the featured newsies.

Robert Peterpaul blended perfectly with the Equity cast members in the role of Crutchie, as did Richie Cordero (THE ADDAMS FAMILY with BMA) as Davey Jacobs. Griffin Delmhorst (THE LITTLE MERMAID) made the most of his role as Davey’s kid brother Les Jacobs.

BMA Founder/Executive Director J. Scott Handley (ANNIE, CARRIE, THE LITTLE MERMAID) was the excellent music director for this show. The eleven-piece orchestra was under the direction of Garrett Taylor and sounded magnificent. RJ Romeo (“How does she know my name?”) was the technical director. Ryan Howell designed the large set that fit the space perfectly and Weston G. Wetzel designed the lighting to bring New York to life.

Costumes designed by Dustin Cross were quite impressive and wigs designed by Katie Adams worked very well.

Executive Producers included Connor Deane, Mr. Handley and David Dreyfoos. BMA’s Creative Partner is the generous Jamie Hulley Arts Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing opportunities to young artists and early career professionals to expand their artistic talents and pursue their dreams. Save the date for their 18th annual Evening for the Arts Gala at The Quick Center at Fairfield University on Saturday, Sept. 12 which will feature the musical tribute to Carole King BEAUTIFUL.

Nancy Sasso Janis, writing theatre reviews since 2012 as a way to support local venues, posts well over 100 reviews each year. In 2016, her membership in the Connecticut Critics Circle began and her contributions of theatrical reviews, previews, and audition notices are posted not only in the Naugatuck Patch but also on the Patch sites closest to the venue. Follow the reviewer on her Facebook pages Nancy Sasso Janis: Theatre Reviewer and Connecticut Theatre Previews and on Twitter @nancysjanis417 Check out the NEW CCC Facebook page.

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