Review: 'Disney's Newsies' by Connecticut Repertory Theatre

Photo 1 - The Newsies lift Jack Kelly (Jim Schubin) in Disney’s Newsies onstage at Connecticut Repertory Theatre July 6-16, directed and choreographed by Christopher d’Amboise. Info at crt.uconn.edu. Photo by Gerry Goodstein

Photo 2 - Paige Smith (Katharine Plummer) and Jim Schubin (Jack Kelly) in Disney’s Newsies onstage at Connecticut Repertory Theatre July 6-16, directed and choreographed by Christopher d’Amboise. Info at crt.uconn.edu. Photo by Gerry Goodstein.

Storrs, CT - Connecticut Repertory Theatre ends its popular summer series with a joyous production of ‘Disney’s Newsies’ presented in the Harriet S. Jorgensen Theatre on the UConn Storrs campus. It is the first time I have seen a regional production of the musical, but I did review a performance of the Broadway production in 2012 as well as the national tour at Waterbury’s Palace Theater. The fresh new musical runs at CRT through July 16 and is well-worth the trek to the UConn campus.

‘Newsies’ features a Tony Award-winning score by Alan Menken with lyrics by Jack Feldman and a book by Harvey Fierstein. It was adapted from the Disney film of the same name which was inspired by the Newsboys Strike of 1899 in New York City. This fictionalized story tells the inspiring tale of a rag tag band of newsboys who stand up to the titans of newspaper publishing Joseph Pulitzer and William Randolph Hearst. Themes of exploitive labor and social injustice are covered in this high energy, dance heavy journey to “Seize the Day” and become “King of New York.”

The production was directed and choreographed by Christopher d’Amboise, the son of dancer Jacques d’Amboise and older brother of Charlotte d'Amboise, who is married to Terrance Mann, the artistic director of the Nutmeg Summer Series. Mr. Mann, who graciously served as the host of the Connecticut Critics Circle Awards ceremony recently held at Sacred Heart University, displayed his characteristic charm during his curtain speech. He thanked the audience members for making the trip to the campus, “parking where you can,” and supporting the theatre; he added that no one involved in the summer series is in it for the money, but simply because they all love being in (the) theatre. The Broadway veteran clearly enjoyed what he called his first summer series and while he remains the endowed chair of Musical Theatre at Western Carolina University in North Carolina, I personally am hopeful that he will return to UConn in the future.

The choreography by the director, with additional choreography by Kelly Crandall d’Amboise, was original to the production and well-executed by the young dancers. It fit nicely with the grittier feel of the set designed by Tim Brown; the two levels and moveable pieces were compact and well-integrated. Some stunning lighting designed by Michael Chybowski seized both the day and nighttime scenes. Fine costumes by Fan Zhang fit the time period and allowed for dancing. I was also impressed with how well the sound design of Michael Vincent Skinner worked. NDavid Williams served as music director and Tom McDonough conducted the excellent pit orchestra. While there was no dancing in the aisles, there was a bit of union meeting with boys with signs in the aisles near the stage.

There was absolutely nothing lacking in the vocals of what my companion and I agreed are some great musical numbers. “Carrying the Banner,” “The World Will Know,” and “Seize the Day” were choral numbers sung in perfect harmony and Medda’s solo of “That’s Rich” and Crutchie’s added number “Letter from the Refuge” were well-received.

Jim Schubin, a New York Equity actor, starred in the important role of Jack Kelly and led the cast with his fabulous vocals and charming stage presence. Tyler Jones made his CRT debut (after recently appearing in the world premiere of ‘The Most Beautiful Room in New York’ at Long Wharf Theatre in New Haven) in the role of Crutchie and did very well as the feisty handicapped young seller of “papes.” UConn graduate Richard S. Henry showed off his rounded singing voice in the role of the tough Joseph Pulitzer and Tina Fabrique, the singer of the theme song for “Reading Rainbow,” was adorable and sassy as the burlesque theater owner Medda Larkin.

The rest of the cast are up and coming talent that got to work with the Equity pros. University of Michigan rising senior Noah Kieserman was memorable in the role of Davey, the older brother of the newest newsie team and rising eighth grade student Atticus Burello (Turkey Boy in ‘A Christmas Carol’ at Hartford Stage) kept up with big boys in the role of the kid brother Les. Paige Smith, a Western Carolina University graduate, did a beautiful job with the role of the spunky reporter Katherine Plumber.

The rest of the dancing newsies were played by rising UConn junior Aaron Bantum (Albert), rising junior at Texas State University Jacob Burns (Specs/Jojo), rising junior at University of Michigan Spencer Croy (Finch/Elmer), Tisch NYU grad Brandon Engman (Mush/Buttons), University of Hartford 4th year student Jamaal Fields-Green (Spot Conion/Citizen), rising sophomore at Ithaca College Dharon Jones (Henry/Sniper), rising senior at University of Michigan Simon Longnight (Romeo/Tommy Boy), rising UConn junior Aidan Marchetti (Seit/Jacobi), MFA Candidate in the UConn Puppet Arts Program Kalob Martinez (Snyder), and University of Michigan grad Tuck Sweeney (Race).

Supporting players included UConn grad Darren Brown (Scab 1/Citizen/Police), Western Carolina University grad Will Bryant (Wiesel/Police/Mayor) recent UConn grad Kent Coleman (Scab 2/Citizen/Stage Manager), Nate Healey (Nunzio/Police), Western Carolina University grad Cullen Ries (Oscar Delancey), Northwestern U grade Alyssa Sarnoff (Hannah /Nun/ Dancer/ Citizen), Hartt School senior Andy Viviano (Morris Delancey), and Jane Zogbi (Nun/Dancer/Citizen). Nate Healey, a graduate of The Hartt School, stepped up to play then Governor Theodore Roosevelt.

Evening performances of ‘Disney’s Newsies’ start at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, and at 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Matinee performances start at 2 p.m. on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays. The Harriet S. Jorgensen Theatre is located on the campus of the University of Connecticut, in Storrs, CT.