The Real Chicago

Top Menu

  • Home
  • E-newsletter
  • Contact

Main Menu

  • Home
  • The Big City Blog
  • General Features
  • Around Town
    • First Look – Reviews
    • Hidden Gems
    • Inside Scoop
  • Eat. Drink. Shop.
    • Good Eats
    • Signature Dishes
    • A Round of Drinks
    • Shop Around the Corner
  • The Local Angle
    • Chicago Insider
    • The Local Corner
    • My Chicago
  • Interviews
  • Forum
Sign in / Join

Login

Welcome! Login in to your account
Lost your password?

Lost Password

Back to login
  • Home
  • E-newsletter
  • Contact

logo

Header Banner

The Real Chicago

  • Home
  • The Big City Blog
  • General Features
  • Around Town
    • First Look – Reviews
    • Hidden Gems
    • Inside Scoop
  • Eat. Drink. Shop.
    • Good Eats
    • Signature Dishes
    • A Round of Drinks
    • Shop Around the Corner
  • The Local Angle
    • Chicago Insider
    • The Local Corner
    • My Chicago
  • Interviews
  • Forum
  • Chicago’s hidden gems: Kiss Kiss Cabaret, Unabridged Bookstore, Lulu Belle’s Pancake House and TNT at The Annoyance

  • New on the scene: Recapping recent restaurant and bar openings in Chicago

  • The Big City Blog: A Chicago summer bucket list

  • Outdoor drinking: A guide to some of our favorite beer gardens and rooftops in Chicago

  • A day at the museum: Exploring the iconic Field Museum in Chicago

First Look - Reviews
Home›featured-blogs›First Look - Reviews›First Look review: Disney’s “Newsies” is a stirring, high-energy performance

First Look review: Disney’s “Newsies” is a stirring, high-energy performance

By TheRealChicagoOnline
August 1, 2016
1384
0
Share:

Kick

By Kathryn Doi

Playing at: The Cadillac Palace Theatre, 151 W. Randolph, now through Aug. 7, 2016. The 2012 Tony Award-winning creative team (music by Alan Menken and lyrics by Jack Feldman, book by Harvey Fierstein, directed by Jeff Calhoun and choreographed by the wonderful Christopher Gattelli) has launched this current traveling tour to be performed across North America. www.BroadwayInChicago.com

Basic storyline: Based loosely upon the real Newsboys Strike of 1899, the show starts off resembling an all-male version of Annie: A ragtag group of boys, mostly orphans, surviving the streets by selling “papes” in turn-of-the-century New York City.

The powerful owner of the paper, Joseph Pulitzer, decides to charge the newsies 10 cents more a day in distribution costs in order to make his budget work. While it doesn’t sound like much, one of the newsies reminds us that a dime in 1899 is basically two weeks’ worth of meals. This enrages Jack Kelly, the informal leader of the newsies, who vows to fight back — and what follows is Disney’s attempt to transform one of the first child worker strikes in this country into musical magic.

7MorganJoey

At times, the show goes a bit dark and violent — the confrontation during the strike lands at least one boy in a horrific “refuge” for children and the others getting beat up by cops and hired thugs. Ultimately, it resolves in a typical Disneyfied, tied-up-neatly ending, with everyone getting his or her just deserts.

What stood out: The dancing, the dancing, the DANCING. Wow. This is the selling point of the show, as a ridiculously talented young male ensemble shows off its best moves to killer choreography. Tumbling, tricks, ballet, excellent use of props, tap dancing and more. It is a high-energy blast that leaves you wondering just how they are able to pull off this level of intensity eight shows per week.

The set is also a point of interest: three stories of open metal framework boxes connected by stairs, which swing out, interlock, and become their own freeform cityscape. There were a couple of moments where I gasped at the physicality needed to do these set changes and ascents day in and day out, including running up and down all of those infernal stairs. An incredible feat by a very capable and energetic cast.

It is a dream cast of young, handsome, sprightly and  incredibly strong young actors who belt forth the ensemble numbers with gusto.

Final thoughts: I’ve known quite a few young women, including my sister, who have been obsessed with Newsies ever since the 1990s movie was released, and now I know why they all clamored to see the musical so many times as well. It is a dream cast of young, handsome, sprightly and incredibly strong young actors who belt forth the ensemble numbers with gusto. Even if you’ve never seen the movie or are unaware of the underlying history, you will surely be entertained.

The Jack Kelly in this production (Joey Barreiro) bears a striking resemblance to a young and very dashing Christian Bale in the movie role. He exudes the proper cockiness as the chosen leader of the newsies, all while maintaining a convincing vulnerability in the scenes with his love, Katherine (played well by Morgan Keene). Standouts from the young cast are Jack’s two pals, Crutchie (Andy Richardson) and Davey (Stephen Michael Langton), who brought much-needed heart and authenticity to their roles and rang the most true to me. Overall, a fun night to be had with the newsies! Hear ye hear ye!

TagsAlan MenkenBroadway in ChicagoCadillac Palace TheatreChicago TheatreChristopher GattelliDisneyHarvey FiersteinJack FeldmanJeff CalhounNewsiesThe Real Chicago
Previous Article

The Big City Blog: Ramen in the ...

Next Article

Shop Around The Corner: The West Loop’s ...

0
Shares
  • 0
  • +
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

TheRealChicagoOnline

Related articles More from author

  • Good Eats

    Good Eats at Hubbard Inn: Lunch at this stylish, innovative River North hotspot delivers in a big way

    April 2, 2019
    By TheRealChicagoOnline
  • Inside Scoop

    Inside Scoop: New Roots Pizza location, Wired Fridays, theatre openings and the “Pop Art Design” exhibit at the MCA

    January 11, 2016
    By TheRealChicagoOnline
  • The Big City Blog

    The Big City Blog: Three Chicago-area local haunted houses perfect for a frighteningly good time this Halloween season

    October 11, 2017
    By TheRealChicagoOnline
  • The Big City Blog

    The Big City Blog: Broadway in Chicago’s free summer concert, Bugapalooza, North Coast after parties and more

    August 10, 2016
    By TheRealChicagoOnline
  • Chicago Insider

    Chicago Insider Etienne Padin on obscure museums, shopping in Andersonville and dining at Maple & Ash

    July 31, 2019
    By TheRealChicagoOnline
  • The Local Corner

    Local Corner: Exploring Chicago’s popular Six Corners intersection in Wicker Park

    April 16, 2018
    By TheRealChicagoOnline

You might be interested

  • Around TownOldThe Big City Blog

    The Big City Blog: A Chicago summer bucket list

  • Around TownGeneral Features

    Coffee craze: Exploring the best, most unique independent coffee shops Chicago has to offer

  • Around TownGeneral Features

    Sun and fun: Five must-do activities now that Chicago’s best season is upon us

Originally launched in 2006, The Real Chicago — as a glossy entertainment magazine, website and email newsletter — has consistently provided the very best insider information, features and reviews to help both tourists and active locals get the most out of exploring the greatest city on Earth.
© Copyright The Real Chicago. All rights reserved.