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   by Pat Lindsey

EXTRA! EXTRA!…Read all about it! A “ragtag gang of ragamuffins” has waged war against newspaper behemoths Joseph Pulitzer and William Randolph Hearst for fairness in their pursuit of the American dream!

“Disney’s Newsies The Musical” sets The Muny stage for a heart-warming story about what can be achieved when a down-trodden band of children join together to fight for their rights. Based on true events of the newsboys’ strike of 1899, “Newsies” reveals just one of the many ways America became a great nation.

Times were tough for the poor New York orphans who sold “papes” from sun up to sundown on the “stinkin streets of New York.” When Pulitzer and Hearst decided to charge them more for their newspapers in order to increase their own profits, a decrease in their earnings without any warning was more than they could bear. Enraged by the unfairness of it all, newsboy Jack Kelly (Jack Roden) boldly stands up before his fellow newsies and convinces them to put down their papes and strike. The Lower Manhattan boys then go to the other boroughs to unite all the newsies of New York in a rousing protest. Their determination is fueled by a female reporter named Katherine Plumber (Kayla Pecchioni) who gives the boys the publicity they need by writing a front page story for the competing New York Sun.

As the strike gets underway, the characters reveal their true personalities. Jack Kelly, the newsies’ leader, is strong, artistically talented, and always yearning for a better life in Sante Fe. It’s no wonder Katherine Plumber (Pecchioni) falls in love with him. Crutchie (Nolan Almeida), the mistreated physically handicapped boy who ends up in the rat-infested Refuge, gains our sympathy and punctuates the need for child labor laws. Davey (Bryce Williams), who is not an orphan, but sells papers to support his family, becomes Jack’s wingman during the strike. Davey’s little brother, Les (Jaron Bentley), tries to steal the show with his 10 years (almost!) of worldliness and gutsy charm. Medda Larkin (Anastacia McCleskey) is the other female character who supports Jack and the strike and allows the newsies to use her theater for their rally. She graces us with her big, beautiful theatrical voice in her solo, “That’s Rich.”

Katherine Plumber hasn’t told Jack that her real last name is Pulitzer, as in daughter of Joseph Pulitzer. She uses her brains and influence to become the driving force behind the newsies and their chance to win the strike. Her father has forbidden her from writing articles for any New York newspaper, so she finds another way to give the strikers publicity.

The entire cast pulls the audience into the fight with their inspiring songs, such as “Seize the Day” and “The World We Know,” and expressive, energetic dance numbers like “Carrying the Banner.” Under the direction of Denis Jones, the choreography by Richard J. Hinds is key to the success of this show. The large ensemble of dancers (mostly male) is thrilling. The catchy songs by Alan Menken and Jack Feldman run the gamut from the sweet and yearning “Sante Fe” to the robust and rousing “Seize the Day.” The music, directed by Annbritt duChateau, is emotionally charged. “King of New York” is the accompaniment for the big tap dance number that opens Act II. The actors’ voices are as varied as the songs they sing and meld together beautifully. The duet, “Something to Believe In” by Jack (Roden) and Katherine (Pecchioni) is a crowd-pleaser.

“Disney’s Newsies” is a striking success for The Muny’s 108th season. When Muny Artistic Director & Executive Producer, Mike Isaacson, was asked why he didn’t choose a patriotic show for America’s 250th birthday, he explained that both “South Pacific” and “Newsies” are stories about U.S. history, American dreamers, and the American dream itself.

“Newsies” will be playing on The Muny stage now through July 22. It’s an American dream come true.

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