Newsies at CPT

At one point Newsies was at the top of the list of musicals that I most wanted to see. I was finally able to see it at the Pantages Theatre in Los Angeles several years ago and I have seen it multiple times since but it still gives me a thrill so I was really excited to see Centerpoint Theatre's version last night. It is a fantastic production and I really enjoyed it! A group of newspaper delivery boys, or "newsies," led by Jack Kelly (Matt Taylor), decide to go on strike when publisher Joseph Pulitzer (Rick Murdock) raises the price of newspapers. With a little help from a fledgling reporter named Katherine Plumber (Jordan Petersen), the newsies get the attention of Governor Theodore Roosevelt (Rob Severinsen) and score a victory for all of the working children in New York. The cast is really strong and I especially liked Taylor's version of "Santa Fe" because he sings it with such longing and Petersen's version of "Watch What Happens" because she is so determined to succeed but also shows a bit of vulnerability. Soren Ray is absolutely adorable as Les and steals every scene he is in and Brandon Smith, as Crutchie, is incredibly affecting in the song "Letter from the Refuge." I was also impressed with the ensemble because they shine in the big numbers "Carrying the Banner," "The World Will Know" (it is my favorite song in the show and I still get goosebumps every time I hear it), "Seize the Day," "King of New York," and "Once and For All." The choreography in this show is quite challenging, with athletic leaps and spins in unison and intricate footwork (sometimes involving newspapers), but the cast does an outstanding job, particularly Nick Crapo (Davey) who tap dances on top of a table in "King of New York." I think the appreciative audience applauded for every single leap and all of the kids eagerly collected the newspapers thrown into the crowd during "Seize the Day" at intermission! The set, which consists of metal towers with multiple levels that are seamlessly moved in and out and reconfigured multiple times, is simple but effective and I liked the use of large screens on either side of the stage to show the headlines as they are written as well as Jack's drawings. Everything about this production is very well done and I highly recommend getting a ticket (go here). It runs on the Barlow Main Stage through July 19.