Shows from September 2011 to Present Part 7

Shows from September 2011 to Present

Part 7

13. Newsies – April 15, 2012

            Extra! Extra!  Read the Headline!  Disney Gives Broadway a New Hit!  The headlines are true.  After a successful out of town at the Paper Mill Playhouse, Disney’s Newsies arrives on Broadway for what was supposed to be a limited engagement but after many sold out performances they extended and suddenly became an open ended run.  The musical is based on the 1992 movie of the same name that was a flop in the box office.  The stage adaptation can make Newsies a Smash hit! 

            Based on the movie about the real life Newsboy Strike of 1899, the show centers on rebel newsboy Jack Kelly (2012 Tony Nominee Jeremy Jordan) who dreams of life as an artist outside the city particularly Santa Fe (a song sung in the movie and it is in the show).  When newspaper tycoon Joseph Pulitzer (John Dossett) raises the price of his newspaper at the newsboy’s or newsies (boys who delivered the papers) expenses, Jack along with new newsies, Davey (Ben Fankhauser) and Les (Lewis Grosso at the performance I attended) lead the newsboys on strike.  With the help from a beautiful female reporter Katherine Plumber (Kara Lindsay), all of New York City soon recognizes the power of “the little man.”

            After watching their performance on the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in 2011, I was so excited for this to come to Broadway.  The dancing was just unbelievable!  You cannot believe what this cast does.    I give props to 2012 Tony Award Winner Christophe Gattelli who created the moves that those boys dance to.  They do everything from ballet, tap, jazz, gymnastics, acrobatics, etc you can’t help but be amazed. The music is really good since about half of it is from the movie like “Seize the Day” and “King of New York” and about half is brand new and written for the show. 

            I can’t get enough of this cast.  They are extremely talented. Jeremy Jordan has the word “Star” written all over him.  He has the leading man quality with a wonderful voice and acting skill and chemistry w/ the entire cast.  (He will be leaving the show on September 4^th 2012 to commit to filming the second season of the popular TV show “SMASH”.  Corey Cott (the show’s current alternate/ standby for Jack Kelly will take over September 5^th (side note: watched him in Broadway in Bryant Park and he is really good and he looks cute). Kara Lindsay makes a wonderful triple threat star turn as Katherine Plummer (Trivia: Her character was not written for the movie.  She was made for the stage version as a female journalist and Jack Kelly’s love interest).  John Dossett makes a good villain as Joseph Pulitzer.  Capathia Jenkins makes a diva appearance as Medda Larkin.  The entire Newsies boys are outstanding they do everything. I can’t get enough of their dancing.  I think everyone should see Newsies.  It is amazing!

Newsies plays at the Nederlander Theatre (located at 208 W. 41st Street).  If you want to see the show for a cheap price, try their lottery.  You have to arrive at the theater two and a half hours prior to show time in order to sign up. You can sign up for one or two tickets. The winners will be announced thirty minutes later.  You will need to show ID.  I am sure you are going to love this show. 

14. The Book of Liz – April 27, 2012

            As the saying goes “April showers bring May flowers”.  At Frank Sinatra School of the Arts it means a lot of show time.  One of the shows includes the drama department’s production of Amy Sedaris’ The Book of Liz directed by Mr. Ira Rosenberg.

The Book of Liz concerns a small community of Quaker-like Christians known as the Squeamish. The Squeamish are simple folk who do without modern-day adjustments and instead spend their time praising God and making cheeseballs.  Sister Elizabeth Donderstock is the under-appreciated genius behind the cheeseballs, which serve as the community’s financial backbone. Her patience is tested when parishioner Brother Brightbee visits from a nearby community to learn the lucrative craft. It is then that Elizabeth resolves to run away and experience the outside world.  While on the outside, Elizabeth encounters a cast of colorful characters, including a Ukrainian couple that speaks with cockney accents and a colonial-themed restaurant staffed by recovering alcoholics. Meanwhile, back at the Squeamish community, Brother Brightbee becomes increasingly frustrated as he fails again and again to replicate the famous cheeseball recipe.

            I thought it was a very good story plus you have actors who can really pull the story and the comedy timing really good.  I often found myself laughing so hard.  The audience sounded like they were having a good time.  The Drama Department did a really good job.  (Look for a review of the 2^nd Drama Show Our Girls). 

*If you are interested in seeing shows at Frank Sinatra School of the Arts call up Ms. Cathy Marcheta to reserve tickets. Call at 718 392 5025 or email Cmarchetta@schools.nyc.gov.