The show: “Newsies” at The Palace Theater in Waterbury
What makes it special?: The beginning of national tour of the Disney Broadway musical, and a booking coup for the Palace.
First impressions?: Show has as much non-stop exuberance as when I saw it on Broadway. Fine casting throughout (Dan DeLuca in the lead role that Jeremy Jordan originated on Broadway) but the star of the show is the hardest-working dance ensemble around. I immediately started thinking of young kids I’d want to bring to this show, but really it was just an excuse for me to go back. But there’s a downside in this engagement.
It’s not a week’s run and the last performances are Saturday, Oct. 25, so grab a kid and go. (I suspect the musical will eventually wind its way back to the state.
What’s it about?: The triumph of overworked, underpaid newspaper workers who go on strike for fair treatment from their callous, greedy, insensitive, corporate bosses. So for me, what’s not to like?
So it’s about theater critics? No, it’s about newspaper boys at the turn of the last century in New York, but the show really is about that all-American theme of triumph over injustice in the face of adversity — and that says musical to me. But this show really is about the dancing and Christopher Gattelli’s Tony Award-winning dances.
The joyous ensemble includes: Benjamin Cook, Sky Flaherty, Jordan Samuels, DeMarius R. Copes, Julian DeGuzman, Jeff Heimbrock, Nico DeJesus, Jack Sippel
Supporting actors are swell too: Zachary Sayle as Crutchie, Steve Blanchard as Pulitzer, Angela Grovey (what a voice) as Medda, Stephanie Styles as Katharine, Jacob Kemp as Davey and Anthony Rosenthal as littklest newsboy, Les. One qualm though.
Which is?: These hard-working performers deserve to have their pictures in the program, or at least in the lobby. They shouldnt be relegated to anominity. Show some respect for these union actors.
Who will like it?: Kids, especially boys. Union members. Those who love dancing.
Who won’t?: One per-centers. Corporate bullies.
For the kids?: Absolutely.
Twitter review in 140 characters or less: Above-the-fold musical will win hearts and minds of youngsters.
Thoughts on leaving the parking lot?: Harvey Fierstein has crafted a very savvy, funny-enough book that also pays its respects to the female side of things. It’s also pretty nuanced script for a kid-centric show, especially when the issue shifts from the newspaper-boy strike to larger issues of the day, and connecting the strike with overall social outrages of nthe day regarding children. The nod to reasonable compromise is also a nice touch.
The basics: The show plays Friday, Oct. 24, at 8 p.m. and Saturday, Oct. 25, at 2 and 8 p.m. The show runs 2 hours and 20 minutes, including an intermission. The theater is located at 100 E. Main St., Waterbury. information at www.palacetheaterct.org and 203-346-2000.
