REVIEW by Anthony Chase
In Buffalo, a city built by labor unions, Disney's Newsies the Musical strikes a resonant chord. Best of all, this Shea's 710 Theatre and D'Youville Kavinoky co-production of a story about young characters, brilliantly showcases the new generation of our city’s musical theater talent.
Director and choreographer Eric Deeb Weaver has wrangled the Newsies company with the precision of a well-oiled printing press. The dance numbers pop with energy, and the vocal performances resonate with strength and clarity. The scene transitions flow smoothly on a dynamic set designed by Primo Thomas, creating a seamless blend of movement, music, and stagecraft.
Based on the 1992 film, Newsies tells the tale of Jack Kelly, a charismatic newsboy who leads a ragtag group of young newspaper sellers in a strike against publishing titans Joseph Pulitzer and William Randolph Hearst. Set in turn-of-the-century New York City, the story weaves together themes of social justice, young love, and the power of unity, all set to a rousing score.
At the heart of the tale stands Glen Chitty as Jack Kelly. He’s a handsome young man with a square jaw and a classic aquiline nose. Moving gracefully and with a strong singing voice, Chitty anchors the show with true leading man gravitas. In addition, hailing from the Hudson Valley (from my own hometown in fact) where he grew up in close proximity to New York City, he seems to have an advantage in delivering the most authentic New York accent in the company.
Not to be outshone, Heather Casseri evolves from ingénue to bona fide leading lady as Katherine Plumber, the ambitious young reporter who becomes Jack's ally and love interest. Casseri first impressed me as Betty in Sunset Boulevard. Like Chitty, she proves here that she has the potential to be a major player in the grand narrative of Buffalo theater.
The supporting cast is a veritable classified section of talent. Versatile Matthew Rittler is alternately humorous and touching as Crutchie. Ryan Butler is impressive as Davey, giving an intentionally tentative performance until, little by little, the character gains confidence, and he gives it his all. 7th grader RJ Creighton handles the inevitably spunky young kid gags adorably as Davey's younger brother, Les. Austin Marshall's Racetrack hits the comedic trifecta of singing, dancing, and timing.
In a delightful twist, Steve Copps, arguably the region’s foremost musical leading man, trades in his usual good-guy persona for the deliciously dastardly Joseph Pulitzer. It’s a role that shows off his superior singing voice and allows him to be deliciously evil.
John Kacorowski, typically front-page material himself, steals scenes in the character roles of Nunzio the barber, and as particularly droll Teddy Roosevelt.
Channeling the spirit of Mae West, Lily Jones doesn't just stop the presses as Medda Larkin -- she stops the show. Larkin is a music hall owner who uses her influence to help Jack. When she’s good, she’s very very good, but when she’s bad, she’s better. I especially enjoyed her saucy exit line, delivered to Teddy Roosevelt as she saunters out through the audience on his arm.
The ensemble is terrific, and the dancing is uncommonly strong. I’d like to give special mention to Immanuel Rodriguez who plays Romeo. He leaps off the page with crisp, muscular moves and uncommon grace in a manner that demands attention.
Kari Drozd's period costumes transport us to turn-of-the-century New York, while communicating class division and character. Adriano Gatto’s fight staging adds dramatic punch without pulling any.
Under Allan Paglia's musical direction, the band and vocalists are clear, and compelling. The score, composed by Alan Menken with lyrics by Jack Feldman, is a dynamic and youthful fusion of traditional Broadway and a more contemporary pop-rock sound. The songs alternate between rousing anthems and soulful introspective numbers. The company lands these admirably, and the band expertly navigates the lavish expanses of dance music.
For those who appreciate musical theater, labor history, or simply a well-crafted performance, this production of Newsies will be a treat. It stands as proof of the depth of talent in Buffalo's ever evolving theater community and offers audiences a thoroughly engaging theatrical experience.
Newsies continues at Shea's 710 through September 29th. https://www.sheas.org/performances/disneys-newsies/