Disney’s NEWSIES

Town Hall Arts Center: 11/11 -12/30

Elton J. Tanega and the cast of Disney's Newsies

 

EXTRA! EXTRA! READ ALL ABOUT IT!

 

 

“Newsies, The Musical” is based upon a 1992 film that was inspired by the 1899 Newsboys Strike In New York City. The show has music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Jack Feldman and book by Harvey Fierstein. Nominated for eight Tony Awards it won two: Best Choreography and Best Original Score.

     For this production director Steve Wilson has cast a stellium of youthful talent, led by Elton J. Tanega, one of Denver’s fastest rising stars!  After seeing his work in “Tuck Everlasting” as well as his Prince Topher in Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “Cinderella,” it’s no surprise that his take on Jack Kelly, the dreamer turned Union organizer, is superb.

     As Katherine Plumber, Jack’s love interest, lovely Kelly Maur is at her best singing “Watch What Happens.”

     As Jack’s crippled side-kick Crutchie, Kong Vang delivers the pathos ("Song from the Refuge") of the evening with panache.

     Camden Deal’s Davey is excellent as well. His singing in "Seize the Day" and "Kings of New York" is most memorable. 

    The chart-topping jazz vocalist Rajdulari enchants us with her singing and acting in the role of Medda Larkin, the Vaudeville Chanteuse! Her singing of “That’s Rich,” dazzles us!

     Eric Fry does a superb job in the acting and singing of Joseph Pulitzer, the greedy newspaper magnate. Visually Fry brings up memories of Orson Welles in Citizen Kane. Of course, Kane was a thinly veiled version of another ruthless newspaper magnate, William Randolph Hearst.

      Kevin Walton gives a strong performance as one of Pulitzer’s hard-edged cronies, Weisel.

     Choreographers Ronni and Debbie Stark have created exhilarating dance routines that these young actors bring to life with enthusiasm.

     Director Steve Wilson is something of a theatrical magician. His talents were on view earlier this year with Vintage Theatre’s hilarious “The One Act Play That Goes Wrong.” Here he brings us a stage full of exciting new talent peppered with a few excellent stage veterans creating an evening of magical stage memories.

     Donna Debreceni’s work as Music Director is responsible for the superb sound of Alan Menken’s score. The choral work on "The World Will Know" is Powerful!

     Illuminated by Vance McKenzie’s lighting design, M. Curtis Grittner’s excellent scenic design regales us with the illusion of far more depth than most.

     One must make mention of Robert Michael Sanders, Chief Operating Officer at Town Hall Arts Center. Together with LuAnn Buckstein, Sanders is leading Town Hall in educating our teens to great success upon the stage. Town Hall even has an outreach program with shows that tour the schools.

   Go enjoy this family friendly holiday treat and support Town Hall Arts Center!

For tickets go online at TownHallArtsCenter.org

 or call: 303-794-2787