Theater Review: 'Newsies' by Waterbury Arts Magnet School

Review by Nancy Sasso Janis

Waterbury Arts Magnet School is presenting a lively production “Newsies” on the stage of Waterbury’s Palace Theater. The WAMS students are directed and choreographed by Alicia Magliaro. Megan Pelletier served as assistant choreographer and Julia Dumont led the dancers as dance captain. Benjamin McCormick is the musical director.

Magliaro reminds attendees that the musical brings “this powerful story to life. Set against the backdrop of New York City in 1899, this tale of the newsboys’ strikes resonates with themes of resilience, friendship, unity and the pursuit of justice.” Also in her director’s note, she calls the WAMS students “dedicated, high energy and inspiring.”

The performance opens strong with the trio of Jack, Crutchie and Elma singing the prologue of “Santa Fe,” followed by the strong choreography for “Carrying the Banner” and “The World Will Know.” Katherine gets to shine in “Watch What Happens” and I was delighted to see the newsies dancing on sheets of newspaper for the rousing “Seize the Day.”

In the second act, “Brooklyn’s Here” opens with effective silhouettes and it was fun to see the Newsies distributing flyers in the aisles for “Once and for All.”

This large cast of students is led by the very talented Quinn Souilliere in the leading role of Jack Kelly. He is equally matched by Karleigh Santos in the role of newspaper writer Katherine Plumber.

Connor Marshall gave a good performance in the role of the newsie Crutchie and had some help from Billie Labriola as Finch. The two perform from a box on stage left for the number that was added to the second act, “Letter From the Refuge.”

Jaheim Moaze gives an excellent portrayal of Joseph Pulitzer. Karlaysia Daniels sings wonderfully in the plum role of theater owner Medda Larkin.

PJ Lawlor is perfectly cast in the role of Davey and Hanna Cady is his perfect foil as little brother Les.

The New York City Newsies do plenty of impressive dancing in the various ensemble numbers. Nicholas Bates plays the dim-witted Race and shows off his outstanding dance skills, often carrying fellow dancers across the stage. Erika Dessalines sings really well as Elma, especially for the first act closer “Santa Fe.”

Noah Gomez covers both Spot Conlon and Albert, and Sadie J. Rodriguez gets to play both Jojo and Darcy. Seven Angels veteran Geno Bascetta shines as the aptly named Romeo and Bill in the printing press scene. I noticed some very natural interaction between Bascetta and Bates during one scene. GPatrick Silva plays Tommy Boy, Teuta Hida is Mush, and Megan Pelletier plays Splasher. Madeline Meeker portrays Buttons and Hanalei Cocchiola stands out in her glasses as Spec.

Lyam Seguinot is Henry, Peyton Gray is Sasa, Dane Guerrera plays Mike, Vera Therrien is Char and the adorable Nathaneal Innocent Riccio plays Ike.

Supporting characters include Madison McDougall as Hannah, Grace Labbe as Ms. Jacobi, Ian Schulte as Bunsen, Nailah Walker as Seitz, Kieran Smith as Snyder, Adrian Ramos as Wiesel and Camdyn Brighurst as Nunzio.

WAMS teacher Mr. Baker does really well with his role of Mayor/Governor Theodore Roosevelt. Braelyn-Mae McDougall and Zenobia Hernandez play Oscar and Morris Delancey respectively. The talented dancers in the NYC Newsies Ensemble included Delilah Rivera, Sergio Melendez, Diara Villatoro, Julia Dumont, Samantha Battistoni, Donovan Wage, Mary-Kate Fac, Madeline Lund, Maximo Rodriguez and Skylar Jacobs. In the ensemble are students Adelaide Luchun, Amanda Miceli, Arielle Parker, Chalsie Bhadrasain, Juliette Livolsi, Kijan Brown, Mackenzie Scovill, Molly Crossley and Savannah Markey. Some of them may be tiny, but they all can dance and sing.

The scenic design by Jaison Rossi nicely fills the large Palace stage and still leaves plenty of room for dancing. George LaChance was the sound designer, and there were only a few glitches during the performance that I attended. The work of lighting designer Alexander Effes worked well throughout.

Costumes designed by Karin Lopez made the newsies look great and allowed them to move. The ensembles for the adult characters helped the performers look older.

The orchestra in the pit makes the inspired score sound wonderful under the direction of Doyle. Congratulations to student reed players Emma Bedarnz and Brendell Kelly and several student percussionists who got to play with the adult musicians. I did not really understand the drummers in the aisle near me at the end of the show, but I loved the drumming on metal trash cans on the stage.

The production team thanked the Hartford Courant for their donation of newspapers and the Alvarium Beer Company for their donation of authentic wooden barrels.

I thoroughly enjoyed this production of “Newsies” that is presented by a hardworking cast of WAMS students and the dedicated teachers that work with them.

Click to read my preview in the Republican-American. Also check out the promotional video posted on the Waterbury Public School's Facebook page.

The show is presented with one 15-minute intermission before the fabulous tapping in “King of New York.” The final performance is April 13 at 1p.m.

Nancy Sasso Janis has been writing theater reviews since 2012 as a way to support local venues, and she posts well over 100 reviews each year. She became a member of the Connecticut Critics Circle in 2016. Her contributions of theatrical reviews, previews, and audition notices are posted in the Naugatuck Patch as well as the Patch sites closest to the venue. She is also a feature writer and theater reviewer for the Waterbury Republican-American newspaper. Her weekly column IN THE WINGS and theater reviews appear in the Thursday Weekend section of the newspaper.

Follow the reviewer on her Facebook pages Nancy Sasso Janis: Theatre Reviewer and Connecticut Theatre Previews and on Twitter @nancysjanis417 Check out the CCC Facebook page.