Extra! Extra! Read all about it! Argyle Theatre’s production of “Newsies,” brought to you by artistic director Evan Pappas and father-son executive producers, Mark and Dylan Perlman, is a riotous hit!
The play is based on the Disney film written by Bob Tzudiker and Noni White adapted from the book by Harvey Fierstein creatively chronicling the actual Newsboy’s Strike of 1899 that began in Long Island City, N.Y., and spread in just two weeks’ time to the entire city of New York, challenging publishers Joseph Pulitzer’s New York World and William Randolph Hearst’s Evening Journal to fairly compensate the young news delivery boys whose cry, “One for all! All for one!” helped change the course of child labor laws.
When deliverymen from the printing houses started selling papers to the newsboys—”newsies” who sold their newspapers “papes” on streetcorners—the newsies discovered they were cheated by being sold shorted bundles by the truckers,and the determined boys bravely fought back by refusing to sell the papers at all and called for a strike and an eventual union.
After suffering bitter battles that brutalized the street urchins just needing to keep food on their tables by earning fair compensation for their work the publishers, they ultimately had to give in as their newspapers’ circulations dropped drastically during the strike.
This is a heavily dance-driven show where thunderous dance numbers move along the plot, powerfully portraying the strong convictions of the young newsies.
Commanding the stage with elaborately choreographed routines complete with cartwheels, flips, tap dancing and unbelievable synchronized moves where they’re flying straight up into the air several feet, the audience is wowed as each scene is better than the last! My seatmate and I at one point during the show shared we were so moved we literally felt compelled to stand up and join the protest!
Choreographer Trent Soyster and director,Tommy Ranieri tag themselves artistic brothers as they bring to life this vibrant, David and Goliath-like piece of history.
Their choices of the much coveted triple-threat cast members, those who sing, dance and act, brings unmatched excitement to this show. Mason Ballard who plays Jack Kelly, Keyon Pickett playing Davey, and Nathaniel Dickson as his little brother Les, along with Jeremy DerMovsesian as Crutchie, are the innovators behind the strike in an atmosphere of fair working conditions much touted by then-Governor of New York, Teddy Roosevelt.
The four of them bring strong dramatic skills to the story, keeping the audience hanging on every word. Cara Rose DiPietro clearly depicts the lovely, serious young journalist Katherine, who provides motivational support through her newspaper stories helping to promote the strike.
Costumer Amanda Scanze once again nails the period, dressing Katherine in the classic “Gibson Girl” style. Where most of the cast are vibrant young men dressed in much worn, sometimes tattered outfits, there are several other women playing the roles of dance hall girls, notably Medda Larkin, portrayed by Arielle “Faye” Beane, who belts out the song “That’s Rich,” offering a brief respite to the serious nature of the play.
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