Liana Hunt and Corey Cott
Newsies
Following its world premiere at the Paper Mill Playhouse in Millburn, New Jersey in September 2011, Newsies transferred to Broadway in March 2012 for, what should have been, a limited engagement. However, due to its huge popularity the show soon received an open-ended run.
Please visit www.newsiesthemusical.com for further information and tickets.
Photo Credit: Matthew Murphy
Nederlander Theatre
Reviewed on Monday 7th April 2014
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| The cast of Newsies performing 'Seize the Day' |
The musical is based on Disney's 1992 film, which was inspired by the New York City Newsboys Strike of 1899. Despite the film being a huge flop, Newsies went on to find a cult following.
I have never seen the movie, but after watching Newsies it seems surprising that the film was a flop as the story features all the necessary ingredients for a timeless classic. I really did feel as if I was watching a classic piece of theatre.
I have never seen the movie, but after watching Newsies it seems surprising that the film was a flop as the story features all the necessary ingredients for a timeless classic. I really did feel as if I was watching a classic piece of theatre.
Set in New York Newsies follows newsboy Jack Kelly, the leader of the 'newsies', who dreams of a better life. When publishing titans Joseph Pulitzer and William Randolph Hearst raise distribution prices at the newsboys' expense, Jack finds the fire in his belly and rallies newsies from across the city to strike for what's right.
Christopher Gattelli's choreography is utterly sensational. Featuring some of the best choreography I have ever seen on stage, Newsies is certainly the most exhausting show I have seen for a while. I love that the audience are kept waiting for a considerable length of time before the cast break out into the huge dance numbers, but it's certainly worth the wait. Tobin Ost's set design is fairly simple, yet the show still has a 'big Broadway musical' feel to it. Projections are used to enhance, not as an easy way around things.
The cast of Newsies
Alan Menken (music) and Jack Feldman's (lyrics) score is mostly very strong and extremely catchy. Newsies certainly isn't short of spectacular numbers with the likes of 'Carrying The Banner', 'The World Will Know' ,'King Of New York', 'Once and For All' and, my personal show highlight, 'Seize the Day' dazzling the audience.
The true stars of this show are the ensemble who unite to deliver a magnificent performance. The charismatic Corey Cott shines as Jack Kelly. He showcases smooth vocal talents during the big ballad 'Santa Fe' and leads the cast with punch and charm. It's quite a role to make a Broadway debut in!
Cott has strong chemistry opposite Liana Hunt who stars as Katherine, a journalist who helps the newsies on their mission (cue love story). I loved her performance of 'Watch What Happens'. There's more to Katherine than what first meets the eye and it's nice to have a feisty female lead alongside the male-dominated cast.
Another stand out performance comes from LaVon Fisher-Wilson as theatre-owner Medda who has a soft spot for Jack. She made quite an entrance! I didn't see exactly what happened, but soon after setting foot on stage her necklace or bracelet broke and beads started falling all over the place. Fisher-Wilson shrugged her shoulders and remarked "There goes that" before continuing to have the audience in stitches and belting out a superb rendition of 'That's Rich'.
Whilst it's not quite my favourite show of all time, I thoroughly enjoyed Newsies. The show features moments of brilliance and has an outstanding company, it just didn't reach out and grab me with both hands. Perhaps it needs some time to grow on me and, with a West End transfer in the pipeline, I look forward to seeing Newsies again - hopefully in the not too distant future!
Reviewed by Andrew Tomlins (Editor)
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| Cast member Hogan Fulton |
Cott has strong chemistry opposite Liana Hunt who stars as Katherine, a journalist who helps the newsies on their mission (cue love story). I loved her performance of 'Watch What Happens'. There's more to Katherine than what first meets the eye and it's nice to have a feisty female lead alongside the male-dominated cast.
Another stand out performance comes from LaVon Fisher-Wilson as theatre-owner Medda who has a soft spot for Jack. She made quite an entrance! I didn't see exactly what happened, but soon after setting foot on stage her necklace or bracelet broke and beads started falling all over the place. Fisher-Wilson shrugged her shoulders and remarked "There goes that" before continuing to have the audience in stitches and belting out a superb rendition of 'That's Rich'.
Whilst it's not quite my favourite show of all time, I thoroughly enjoyed Newsies. The show features moments of brilliance and has an outstanding company, it just didn't reach out and grab me with both hands. Perhaps it needs some time to grow on me and, with a West End transfer in the pipeline, I look forward to seeing Newsies again - hopefully in the not too distant future!
Reviewed by Andrew Tomlins (Editor)
Please visit www.newsiesthemusical.com for further information and tickets.
Photo Credit: Matthew Murphy
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