By Koko McDowell
I must admit, as one who has no prior knowledge of Newsies, I really enjoyed this show and the storyline. I was completely draw into each moment and found myself empathizing with the characters as the plot was unfolding. I was captivated!! The set was very intricate, flexible, and fluid. I really enjoyed how every aspect of the stage was used, from the rafters to the floor. Incorporating digital backgrounds with physical backgrounds really enhanced the stage and set. Although I was nervous about the actors going up and down the stairs and ladders, they were able to navigate their way through the set flawlessly. The one thing that stood out the most to me in this production, was the quality of vocals. The power of the voices of the cast was amazing. With great harmony and power, they were able to creatively use their vocal instruments to help convey significant aspects of the play.
My favorite scene, without giving away the play for those who may not be familiar with Newsies, is with Katherine, as she struggles to articulate her thoughts about the Newsies. The internal struggle that ensued was quite comical and was received very well by the audience. Although, I advise you to listen closely as you might miss the parallel thoughts flowing as she is externally processing. My 13-year-old son truly enjoyed the Seize the Day scenes. He was very engaged throughout the play, but it was this scene that caught his attention most. My husband on the other hand, really enjoyed the tap scene. This scene really showed the joy of the performers as they clickety-clacked centerstage and even had opportunities to be showcased.
A few characters really stood out in this opening night. The first was Jeffrey Hammel as Les. My family and I loved how he was able to maintain his level of energy and excitement from the beginning of the play all the way through to the very end. His character was believable, and he really did a great job portraying his role. Kenneth Gray as Mr. Pulitzer, in his stoic way, really came off as insensitive and inconsiderate man. He owned his role. His office setting and attire also spoke well into the character that he portrayed. The final character that we applaud is Elizabeth Greenwood as Crutchie. I can only imagine how difficult it was to stay in character for this role. We were all quite impressed to see how Greenwood was able to maintain character. A few times I questioned if the crutch was really needed. What great discipline it took to not break character, even when she was not in the spotlight and between set changes. Well done! The entire cast did a great job.
I really enjoyed the expressions on the Newsies faces and body language as they embodied their character. You can tell how many of the cast members took their role seriously and were completely engrossed in character. The one critique I have is related to the sound, in a few instances, characters were speaking but could not be heard. However, it was opening night, so I am confident these adjustments are being made. My family and I enjoyed ourselves immensely and consider this production a huge success! Seize the Day!! Get your tickets before it is too late!
