Reviewed by Tony Annicone
Academy Players of RI’s 63rd season starts off with a bang with the Rhode Island premiere of “Newsies” by Walt Disney. Disney’s “Newsies” is based on the 1992 Disney film and is inspired by the real-life “Newsboy Strike of 1899,” when Newsboy Kid Blink led a band of orphan and run away newsies on a two- week-long action against Pulitzer, Hearst and other powerful newspaper publishers. The show has music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Jack Feldman, and a book by Harvey Fierstein. The musical premiered at the Paper Mill Playhouse in 2011 and made its Broadway debut on March 29, 2012 where it ran for over 1005 performances closing August 24, 2014 before touring the country from then until October 2, 2016. The choreography in the musical by Julia Gillis is phenomenal, astounding, entertaining and energetic from start to finish. Director Rita Maron with music director Matthew Cunningham leading a splendid 7 piece orchestra wins these 54 performers a standing ovation.
Rita blocks her huge cast on this fire escape set in this new 150 seat theatre. She elicits good performances from these kids with the second act flowing more smoothly acting wise than the first act. She also gives each of them their chance to shine in this show. Julia choreographs the show marvelously. She also creates breathtaking dance steps for these young performers that are unbelievable with some high kicks, tumbling and tap dancing among them. The group numbers are all powerfully performed. Her mother, Jennifer is also an excellent dancer and choreographer, too. So the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. Matthew brings out the best in the vocalists with his terrific seven piece orchestra especially powerful are group numbers “Seize the Day” where they rip newspapers while dancing and “King of New York” which is a show stopping tap dance that opens Act 2. A standing ovation was given to them for bringing to life a musical full of hope that we can definitely use in these turbulent times.
The leading man is Kyle Buonfiglio who plays Jack Kelly. The character is an artist stuck in New York City who yearns to escape and breath fresh air. His dynamic voice is heard in “Santa Fe”, “Carrying the Banner”, with his band of newsies, “The World Will Know” when he organizes a strike. He is fantastic with his acting and dancing, too, as this leading man with his strength and charisma.The leading lady, Myranda Silva plays the role of Katherine Plumber. Katherine is an upper class well educated girl with determination to help them out of their plight. Their love song is “Something to Believe In” where she convinces him to lead a Children’s Crusade to defeat Pulitzer and the others. Her feministic solo is “Watch What Happens” as she vows to prove herself at the end of the 19th Century. Myranda’s performance comes to life when she performs her first solo.
The other newsboys do a marvelous job, too. Davey and Les Jacobs are brothers who join the newsies but also have a family of their own unlike the other boys. The scholarly Davey gives Jack good advice along the way. Marcus Evans plays this older brother trying to support his family. He sings the rousing “Seize the Day” and another dynamic group number is “King of New York” where they all tap dance splendidly. Matthew Packard who is 10 years old plays the younger brother, Les fabulously. A quartet occurs in Act 2 when they sing “Watch What Happens” when Jack, Katherine, Davey and Les decide to rescue Crutchie from his fate. Matthew has some of the best one liners in this show and makes them all hit pay dirt. He also sings and dances marvelously, too. Zach McGetrick as Crutchie is one of the most sympathetic characters in the show. He has the best voice and is the best actor in this show. Crutchie gets captured after the protest and gets beaten up. He tugs on your heartstrings as he is trapped in a prison called the refuge when he sings “A Letter from the Refuge” where he calls Jack his brother. Zach has a bright future in show business.
The villain of the show is Joseph Pulitzer played by Frank O’Donnell. His song is “The Bottom Line” which is all about making a profit from the boy’s hard work. Meryn Flynn shines as Medda Larkin and sings a vaudeville number called “That’s Rich” which brightens up the proceedings. Later on in the show she brings the Governor in to save the day. Another group number the boys sing is “Once and For All” when the boys print their own newspaper, showing it to Governor Theodore Roosevelt. Somehow the boys beat the system and win the day. Another dynamic performer is Joe Catanzaro as the cigar smoking, Newsie called Race. His powerful voice is heard in many numbers and he leads the tap dancers beautifully. Two of the best dancers who leap, do flips and dance up a storm around the stage perfectly are Cody Aranjo as Specs and Jaydon Geyer as Slasher. Another scene stealer is Allii Fontaine as Hannah, Pulitzer’s secretary. She is a hoot in this role.
So for a stirring rendition of a contemporary musical that resonates with families of all ages, be sure to catch “Newsies” at Academy Players of RI before time runs out. It will leave you laughing and crying in all the right places. It is a definite crowd pleaser.
NEWSIES (13 to 30 September)
Academy Players of RI, James and Gloria Maron Cultural Arts Center,180 Button Hole Drive, Bldg #2, Providence, RI
1(401)830-0880 or www.academyplayersri.org
