Newsies Stop the World at Viviana and SUMC

by Aimee Renna

The thrilling Disney Theatricals favorite, “Newsies” has hit the Viviana stage at Swarthmore United Methodist Church. The show follows the historic News Boys strike that took place in New York City in 1899. Led by the fictional Jack Kelly, a newsboy who longs for the freedom of the West, the kids form the News Boys Union to defend themselves against the predatory practices of their boss (and owner of The World), Joseph Pulitzer. Jack befriends reporter Katherine Plumber who gives them the attention that no other newspaper dares to give. The musical is written by Alan Menken, Harvey Firestein, and Jack Feldman, based on the 1992 Disney film of the same name. 

The production staff is led by the leader of Viviana, Matthew English, who serves as Director, Choreographer, and Lighting Designer. This production clearly means a great deal to English as you can see his constant dedication from the booth as he runs the show. He works closely with Tom Weber (Set Design, Sound engineer) and Mike Yarabinee (Sound Designer). The multifunctional set was built by Tom Weber, John Harris, Mike Grandizio, Don Haley, Evan Markley, Evan Gasparini, and several members of the cast. Jack’s backdrops were painted by Bec Smith and Eliza Markley. Props and Costumes have an equally lengthy list, featuring the help of Bec Smith, Nanci Smith, Holly Weber, Rosemary Haley, Anne Grandizio, Amanda Hoffman, and Christina Concilio. Production support involves Holly Weber (who also runs the box office), Rosemary Haley, Kelsey Weber, and Ali DeLeo. “Stage Crewsie” Alyssa Agent also provides a great amount of assistance backstage as does Concilio. The program was designed by cast member Annie Travis and concessions are run by Alina Torres-Zickler, her family, and the Swarthmore United Methodist Church. Eileen Fields once again knocks the score out of the park as the Music Director/Conductor and Keys 1. The pit is a massive success with Mindy Rubinlicht (Keyboard 2), Mike Capanile and Garet Giordano (Guitar/Banjo), Kyle Weaver (Bass), Brian Stahl (Woodwinds), Logan Bigelow (Trumpet), Terry Chesnovitz and Scott Alberti (Trombone), and Andy Williams (Drums). 

The cast powers through the performance with tons of energy and excellent vocals. Many roles are double casted; the following is based off of the opening night cast who also performs 8/2 at 7:30pm, 8/9 at 2pm and 8/10 at 2pm. Some of the best moments of the show are from the sensational performances of the main newsies who play the same roles on any given night. They provide the life blood of the show by maintaining the rushing pace of the storyline, giving the audience someone to root for, and by keeping up with challenging choreography. They are the following: Jamel Barton (Race), Aiden Zimmerman (Romeo), Alexa Weber (Albert), Annie Travis (Elmer), Kelsey Weber (Finch/Dance Captain), Logan Rowan (Henry), Morgan Devlin (Jojo), Mylea Dubois (Buttons), Arwen Rowan (Mush), Madison Orner (Specs), and Megan Grandizio (Tommy Boy). Each of these performers brings their own unique pizazz to the stage but I must particularly commend Barton as he provides excellent vocality in his solos. The remainder of the newsies feature the ensemble and many of the double casted performers. It includes Sydney Conmy (Splasher/Bowery), Hayley Howard (Mike), Gavin Huczko-Summerford (Ike/Goon), Alexa McDevitt (Spot Conlon/Bowery), Amanda Hoffman (Froggy/Bowery/Scab), Erica Klazmer (Sugarplum/Bowery/Scab), Keeva McNally (Ruffles/Nun/Scab), Michaela Morgan (Freckles/Bowery), Melody Rowan (Kibbles), Alaina McCloskey (Baloney/Nun/Bowery), Kaylee Johnson (Cappie/Goon), Dawn Sheppard (Gus), Robert Diton (Roy), Nicholette Parente (Trainwreck), Shabria Moore (Jerald), and Mallory Dubois (Boots). The non-Newsie ensemble includes Angel Young (Nun/Guard/Cop/Citizen), Grace Albert (Nun/Woman/Bowery/Mayor), and those listed as Nuns/Various citizens of New York: Lisa Spillar, Holly Weber, Rosemary Haley, Ali DeLeo. 

The heroes of the show lead this large ensemble to victory: Jack Kelly, Davey, Les, Crutchie, and Katherine Plumber. Jack Kelly, played by Andrew Foster V is a deeply complex role that has been played by many greats of musical theater. Foster is a tour de force in the role as he provides a vital intensity from the jump and a deep connection with every person on stage. I am enamored by how authentically raw he is throughout the show as he adds in his own creative choices, including perfectly timed riffs and key moments of simplicity in “Santa Fe”. As a music director myself, I have heard Jack’s “Santa Fe” so many times that I feared that it had lost its meaning to me. But Foster showed me that when the right person sings it, this beautiful song can still bring tears to my eyes. Katherine Plumber (Christina Concilio) works beautifully with Foster as they cultivate their relationship, going from enemies to lovers. I am particularly impressed by Concilio as she proves to be an excellent triple threat between her fantastic vocal skill in “Watch What Happens” and her dance prowess featured in “King of New York”. Just like any budding New York reporter, Concilio’s Katherine is quick witted and razor sharp as she maneuvers her delicate place in “The World”. 

Nicholas Renna continues this exquisite list of leads in his role as Davey, the level headed right hand man of Jack. Renna always brings 110% to the stage from the moment that he walks in, from little scenes to his big moment in the rally. He also shows excellent range as he brings a delicate earnestness to the song “Seize the Day” that tugs at the heartstrings of Newsies and audience members alike. It is people like Renna who can bring a show from great to phenomenal with his interactions with other characters and the intensity that he provides. Renna and Foster work beautifully together as they rally the Union and inspire permanent change to the streets of New York City. Renna also provides a doting older brother to Les, played by Ivy Komito. She gives a much appreciated comedic break to the growing intensity of the storyline as she connects with the other newsies on stage. Komito maintains a consistent relationship with Crutchie, played by Joey Maffei. Maffei is a wonder in the role as he provides a sweet and innocent best friend to Jack. I was moved by his performance as he gave a wonderful martyr for the cast to stand up and fight for. People like Maffei’s character were among those who needed the strike the most and this depiction of the role is massively successful in exemplifying that.

The antagonists of the show are led by Joseph Pulitzer who is brought to life by Jerry Rowan. Rowan gives a subtle level of sleaziness to Pulitzer that I feel like the role is often missing and that I appreciated throughout. He sings his music wonderfully and maintains the commandeering personality of a man that holds the city in his hands with expert precision. Snyder “The Spider” is portrayed by the off-night Jack Kelly, which in the case of this performance is Brendan Baldwin. Baldwin’s brooding persona in Snyder is very well maintained as he works closely with the Delancey Brothers Francis Evans (Also playing Kid Blink) and Connor Ryan (Also Socko). These three are consistently cracking skulls along with Brad Huczko (Wiesel) and exhibit a ton of dedication to their daily fight call. While dance fighting may not be an extremely historically accurate depiction of Strike-based violence, it is how well they know their scenes that they are able to provide the same thrilling energy of a fast paced fight without risking the safety of their fellow cast members. 

Medda Larkin is a local Vaudeville Performer who provides Jack with an oasis away from the stress of the city streets. She is brought to life by Marquishia Stringfield who brings down the house with her rendition of the song “That’s Rich”. She also provides the sage advice that the Newsies, specifically Jack, so desperately need in their darkest moments, helping turn the tides of the strike. Her Bowery Beauties, previously mentioned by name in various ensemble roles, are the lovely dancers who are performing when Jack and Katherine first meet. Other sage advice is provided by Paul Mansfield (Seitz/Governor Roosevelt) and Anthony Oriente (Nunzio/Mr. Jacobi). These men help the newsies in a range of providing a glass of water to standing up to Pulitzer and ending the strike all together. The cast is completed by Courtney Rowan (Hannah/Nun), Tom Francione (Bunsen/Stage Manager/Beans), Emma Billingsley (Darcy/Socko), and Corey Robovitsky (Bill/Mugsy/Bitsie). These performers flesh out the world and establish that the many employees of Pulitzer do not agree with his radical decisions. They also provide key moments of vocal beauty, particularly in Pulitzer’s song “The Bottom Line”. 

Please note that the following paragraph was added after the initial review. I was so enamored with the cast that I saw perform on opening night, and was so sure that the other cast would bring me the same amount of joy, that I went back the next day to see the show again. I was not disappointed to say the least. In fact I can guarantee to you that no matter which cast you see, you will have an outstanding time with the performers that you get to experience. While I do not have the time to write an entire new review for these performers, I want to commend how beautiful they sound together, the natural chemistry that they share on stage, and the clear dedication and drive that they share with the cast that I experienced first. I want to particularly commend Brendan Baldwin  (Jack Kelly) and Nicholette Parente (Katherine Plumber) for the way that they matched the energy of their counterparts while bringing their own creativity and unique qualities to their roles. I can see why English picked which cast members to go with which due to the tones of their voices as they blend together so perfectly with an expert level smoothness. Baldwin and Parente also sang their solo work beautifully with fantastic acting moments within each song. I also love the connections between Robert Diton (Davey) and Mallory Dubois (Les) which feels like it is driven by such genuine care, continuing throughout the performance. Shabria Moore’s depiction of Crutchie is excellent, providing the martyr that the show requires all while showing off a gorgeous lower register. Anthony Oriente (Pulitzer) and Dawn Sheppard (Medda Larkin) both bring their own flair to their respective roles and I adore the unique decisions that they make with their performance. Oriente in particular has an excellent regality in his depiction of Pulitzer while in the other cast he played two very common and comforting people (Nunzio, Mr. Jacobi). I love Sheppard in this role as she provides much needed comfort to the boys during their revolution. Our off-night Jack Kelly, this time Andrew Foster V, gave a magnificently vibrant antagonist to the boys and I must commend him for channeling so much energy into his secondary track. Finally, Michaela Morgan (Hannah) and Jerry Rowan (Nunzio/Mr. Jacobi) both connect to their characters beautifully, completing the scenes with lovely consistency. At this particular performance there was an unexpected swing-on where Nicholas Renna covered the role of Weisel as if he had been studying it all along, managing the track with ease. 

Together, this large Fifty-Three person cast excels in bringing a 126 year story to life as if it happened just a few weeks ago. While I enjoyed the show immensely, I must give particular notice to the difficulties of trying to sound design in a church with a vaulted ceiling. There were many moments where lines or vocal solos were lost or muddled due to the additional din of lingerie sounds or movement on the stage. While many theaters have much more controlled spaces for their audio levels, the echoing of the hall proves difficult to any sound designer. With that said, the ensemble and the pit sounded fantastic thanks to the exceptional skills of Eileen Fields and the efforts of the sound team. I find that this particular story of media suppression and the mistreatment of the working class is extremely fitting for the time that we live in today. It is stories like this that can inspire many, from the leaders of our revolution to the Crutchies and Les’ that need it the most. Maybe we could all use a little more Jack Kelly in our lives to help us move forward into a more supportive and even playing field. Overall, I deeply enjoyed seeing this performance and cannot wait for more people to take the drive to experience the incredible talent in person. Tickets are selling quickly with very few left for this weekend. Shows continue from August 2nd-August 10th and tickets can be purchased online at vivtix.ludus.com .