Newsies!

Newsies
Papermill Playhouse
Saturday, Oct 1, 2:00 PM performance

Newsies hits the “big 2” musical theatre audience demographic - gay men and tween-age girls.  Seriously though, who doesn’t like a stage full of handsome, young, muscular men dancing and flipping around a stage?  The director knows his audience, so the very first scene with all the “boys” features several shirtless Abercrombie & Fitch-types shaving.  Funny they should be shaving when they all appear to be completely hairless otherwise.  Not that I’m complaining. 

Disney’s latest effort almost makes up for the overblown and badly conceived The Little Mermaid from a few seasons back (though I still have a straight crush on Sierra Boggess - that voice!).  This time, Disney creatives have actual human characters to work with and a story set against a real historical event, no roller skates or weird hand puppets this go around.  From the audience reaction (wildly enthusiastic applause and several mid-song ovations), it seems Newsies is a hit with audiences.

From my front row, center mezzanine seat (jealous much?), I witnessed a slick, streamlined production that takes the best elements from the movie while retaining the spirit and energy of the cult film classic.

Jeremy Jordan has that indescribable “it” factor as well as a freakishly high, clean voice that is thrilling in the first act closing reprise of “Santa Fe.”  His newly created love interest (not in the movie) is a spunky pre-feminist, Katherine Plumber, played by Kara Lindsay.  Though the chemistry with Jordan is there, she seemed to be pushing vocally - at least at the performance I attended.  Otherwise, she’s a great actress and incredibly likeable in a role that could easily slip into “bitch” territory.

Some reviews describe the set as “ugly,” but I think it’s completely satisfactory and conveys the many and varied scene changes swiftly and economically.  I didn’t mind the projections and thought they were used tastefully and sparingly enough to evoke each location.

The choreography was out of control in a good and bad way.  Not much of it is character-driven, but it was so athletic and energetic, you couldn’t help but be impressed and excited.  I only wish it was more show-specific and not so much dance recital “show-off”-y.  Though Ryan Steele can do no wrong.

Broadway bound?  So it seems from insiders.  But I think it would be a mistake to move it without Jordan who’ll be starring in Bonnie and Clyde on Broadway beginning next month.  What’s the rush?  Wait for the fall and have a big-ass opening in the new season.  Let Jordan have back-to-back Tony nominations.