Review: NEWSIES Stop the Press at Midland University Theatre

Stop the press! Midland University Arts brought a newsworthy event to the Kimmel Theatre last night. NEWSIES, The Broadway Musical, opened to an enthusiastic packed house. "Fake news" has it that the show running through November 11th is nearly sold out. But don't let that stop you. Check out ticket availability and book your seat to see this uplifting, toe tapping production.

The 1992 Disney film, NEWSIES was adapted for stage by Alan Menken (music) and Jack Feldman (lyrics) with book by Harvey Fierstein. DISNEY'S NEWSIES was nominated for several Tony Awards in 2012, winning Best Original Score for Menken and Feldman and Best Choreography for Christopher Gatelli. NEWSIES ran for two years, becoming the first Disney show on Broadway to turn a profit.

NEWSIES: THE BROADWAY MUSICAL was filmed live at the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood in 2017 reprising Jeremy Jordan's role as Jack Kelly. It appeared for a limited special engagement in theaters.

The story of NEWSIES was inspired by the Newsboys Strike of 1899 in New York City. Kid Blink (blind in one eye so he wore an eye patch) led a group of street kids who peddled newspapers for a living in a strike against the powerful publishers, Joseph Pulitzer and William Randolph Hearst when they raised the cost of papers. The two week strike eventually resulted in better pay for the "newsies," and ironically, higher circulation of Pulitzer's New York World. In the theatrical version of NEWSIES Kid Blink loses the eye patch and is renamed Jack Kelly.

When Jack (Roger Bunnell), aided by his new friend Davey (Cameron Stefanski) and Davey's little brother Les (Braden Willard), leads the newsies on strike, Joseph Pulitzer (Alex Cesena) sends out cops and strikebreakers, imprisons Jack's friend Crutchie (Cody Cozad), and puts Warden Snyder (Noah Mckvicka) of the Refuge Center hot on Jack's trail for his previous "crimes" of taking clothes and food to give to the street kids. Jack hides out with his vaudeville friend, Medda Larkin (Michaela Baumeister), for whom he paints backdrops. There Jack meets a young journalist, Katherine Plumber (Hannah Post), who is trying to break into the male-dominated world of news reporting. She decides to write a story about the little Davids taking on the big Goliath because she knows that "if it's not in the papers, it never happened." And frankly, she needs a break. That front page breaking headline reads, "Newsies Stop the World!"

Under the direction of Lee Meyer, Bunnell takes on the demanding role of Jack Kelly. While I was not immediately sure, it didn't take long for Bunnell to sell me completely on his Jack. His voice is both tender and powerful, telling a story with his song. His acting is intuitive and believable. His accent is consistent. At no time did I feel that he was reciting lines. He IS Jack Kelly. And I'm not sure I've seen a better one.

Heading up a solid cast, Cozad, Stefanski, Post, Casena, and Baumeister all sing beautifully. Chorus numbers are full, rich and exciting, accompanied by an accomplished orchestra directed by Sean Graves.

Choreographers Katie Speicher and Amber Wilson do justice to the award winning choreography of the original production. The newsies, led by talented dance captain Stacie Sides (Tommy Boy), are cohesive with some individuals nicely spotlighted throughout. There is always one dancer who catches my eye. That person is Marlando Sparks, a charismatic dancer who shines on stage.

Biannah Peji-Palm proves that there are no small parts. Her imaginative playing with the crowd as she sweeps the stage, sits on the steps with her broom-turned-guitar, and pulls faces at both the audience and the actors is funny and delightful. Whether in the background or in the forefront, she makes her presence known.

Additional actors that do a super job are Braden Willard as young Les, Ryan Dusso as the loud and hearty Teddy Roosevelt, Alex Cesena as the stiff-necked Joseph Pulitzer, and Noah Loux as the crooked Wiesel.

Visuals can make or break a show. Bill Kirby's scenic design is simple and pleasing to the eye, accented with effective lighting by Pierce Bonacci-Johnson. Costume designer Lee Meyer chose muted tones which add to the effect without stealing the show.

Oh! There are three small show stealers, though. Those tiny newsies alone are worth a ticket for their cuteness.

Photo courtesy of Midland University Theatre.

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