'Newsies' review: Stop the presses! Croswell’s production is a smash hit

Courtesy of The Croswell Opera House

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An absolute masterclass in spins, backflips, twirls, pivots, and all around infectious energy, The Croswell’s production of “Newsies” is easily one of, if not the best choreographed productions I’ve seen on their stage. It’s impossible not to get enveloped in the rambunctious physicality of this army of performers who all cohesively work in unison to deliver one grand slam performance after another. It’s the must-see musical of the moment and the perfect bookend to the summer theater-going season. 

It’s a major step-up from the 1992 film that, despite starring an earnest through slightly miscast Christian Bale, never really had the cultural cache after it flopped at the box office. In the years since, it has gained a cult following, mostly because of how Harvey Fierstein revamped the script for the musical by fleshing out various backstories, added warmth to the central romance, and beefed up the characterization of lead character Jack Kelly, a 17-year-old juvenile runaway played with robust charisma and powerhouse vocals by Kevin Ludwig. Plus the songs and lyrics by Alan Menken and Jack Feldman, which include the bangers “Santa Fe,” “Carrying the Banner,” “King of New York,” and “The World Will Know,” crackle. 

The story, inspired by the 1899 New York City newsboy strike, is an engaging one that offers its own revisionist history. In this version, Joseph Pulitzier (a persnickety Phil Skeldon), among other publishers, raise the price charged to delivery boys in an effort to curtail declining circulation numbers. It prompts the scrappy Jack Kelly to rally his troops, notably Crutchie (played winningly by Ben Bascuk), to form a union and, similar to the Croswell’s last show “School of Rock,” stick it to the man. 

It’s a celebration of the working man and the universal story of David vs. Goliath is an easily relatable premise and it’s brought to rip-roaring life by this company who, it’s apparent, have worked tirelessly to bring this show, and all its aerobatic madness, to the Croswell stage. Director Debra Ross Calabrese deserves immense credit for keeping the show moving as scene transitions flow-in-and-out seamlessly without stalling any of the action; and then there's Jodi Hissong’s monumental and blistering choreography that knocked myself and the entire opening crowd out of their chairs. We’re talking about a cast ranging from 13-year-olds to grown adults who are floating around as if they just walked off the set of Cirque du Soleil. Each member of this vast company is given a chance to shine and, oh boy, do they deliver. 

Elsewhere, the principal cast is equally astounding. Ludwig is blessed with a strong, commanding voice who nails the Brooklyn cadence and, akin to most of Jack Kelly’s resourceful young crew, is easy to root for. I would not be shocked if, sometime in the not-so-distant future, this young man was playing the challenging role at the professional level. Likewise for Elise Brown who lights up the stage playing Katherine Plumber, a rising journalist who takes an interest in Jack’s unionizing revolution, and begins falling for his wistful charms. Brown is fantastic and gives a genuine, honest performance that never becomes the walking (and cliched) damsel in distress. She’s matched by Will DuPuis, playing a fellow Newsie named Davey, and Olivia Grzebik, who will melt your heart, playing his younger brother Les, as two characters just trying to make ends meet while their dad recuperates from illness.

Scenic work by Marty Flake is crafted with an open floor plan as to allow all the dancing and balletic pivots it can handle; Pam Krage brings her usual high pedigree to the massive array of costumes needed for a cast of this size while Wynne Marsh and Raymond Novak’s vocal and musical direction never hits a false note. And despite a few sound and lighting malfunctions that are usually privy to opening night performances, “Newsies” operates at high-octane, Broadway caliber efficiency. 

“Newsies” might not have the same Disney level of magic you’d see from “Beauty and the Beast” or “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang,” as it’s absent flying cars, princesses, or talking animals, but this show is brimming with an old-school level of craftsmanship and dexterity. It boasts a rousing, underdog message about knowing your worth and the power of unity against big corporate entities who don’t care about the little man (A narrative beat that, unfortunately, has remained timeless). Run, don’t walk to see The Croswell’s sensational production and prepare to be gobsmacked at what this insanely talented group of individuals have put together right in our local community. 

NEWSIES continues through August 18th. Tickets can be purchased (and are going fast) at Croswell.org.