GET YOUR PAPES - DISNEY AND NEWSIES IS IN TOWN ONLY FOR A SHORT TIME
Winner of two 2012 Tonys for best score and choreography, the jumping romp called Newsies is impressive. Disney who has staged The Lion King, Little Mermaid, and Beauty and the Beast. The 1992 film didn’t do that well but its cast of guys kicking and jumping was always the highlight - and the emphasis for the 2011 musical and cast of the national tour is all about the dance.
This is a show where the young male ensemble is the star — along with the gifted choreographer, Christopher Gattelli, who turned the dance numbers into a showcase for young male dancers, just as long as they can do cartwheels, and handstands. Most of the show's big numbers are a banner of defiance. Music by Alan Menken and lyrics Jack Feldman with their classics "King of New York" and "Seize the Day." And Harvey Fierstein, who wrote the book to the — made this a non stop power house.
The story is roughly based on the actual “Newsboy Strike of 1899,” a two-week work stoppage against venal Joseph Pulitzer (Steve Blanchard), William Randolph Hearst, and other “malefactors of great wealth,” a phrase coined by Teddy Roosevelt (Kevin Carolan), a hero in this show. All the news boys want is what Roosevelt offers a “square deal.”
This is a sharp tour, with all the back drop of New York scafolds and 3 stories of room for the boys to get breathless. The set displays itself very nicely at SHNs Orpheum Stage — looking flashier, actually, than it did back at the more cramped Nederlander Theatre in New York. The principals are decent. Dan DeLuca does not overdo it as 17 year old Jake Kelly, settling for being a likable, sensitive dude and a good romantic match for the reporter Katherine, played with Broadway class by Stephanie Styles. Jacob Kemp, a very likable Davey, and Angela Grovey, who plays Medda Larkin and who clearly is having a great time.
I was impressed during the first act by young Zachary Sayle as Crutchie who stole the show. The writers created a new song for Zach - just for the national tour “Letter from the Refuge”. Sayle is Broadway talent to watch for in the years to follow.
"Newsies," directed by Jeff Calhoun, creates good and evil from the start and never deviates for a moment. Steve Blanchard, as publisher Joseph Pulitzer, plays a great villain - even though historically Pulitzer fought for the rights of children.
This is great show for your family and its sure to inspire your kids to
to grab a pape and just see what reading a newspaper is all about.
DON’T MISS THIS SHOW
Newsies: Musical.
Book by Harvey Fierstein. Music by Alan Menken. Lyrics by Jack Feldman.
Directed by Jeff Calhoun.
Through March 15. Orpheum Theatre, 1192 Market St., S.F. Two hours, 30 minutes. $50-$250, subject to change. (888) 746-1799. www.shnsf.com.
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