Hale Center Theater closed another fabulous show last night. Newsies had a very successful run, and I may be biased, but it was a smash hit.
Both casts were full of talented actors and actresses, great vocals, and captivating dancing. Every number was uplifting and inspiring.
Link for closing night of both casts and crew:
Newsies is a musical based on the 1899 New Boys Strike in New York City. The strike was a protest against the price hike of the papers by Joseph Pulitzer and William Randolph Hearst. The musical has music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Jack Feldman, and a book by Harvey Fierstein. It was first based on the Disney film written by Bob Tzudiker and Noni White. Originally produced on Broadway by Disney Theatrical Productions in 2011. Orchestrations by Danny Troob, Incidental Music & Vocal Arrangements by Michael Kasarin, Dance Arrangements by Mark Hummel.
This production was directed by David Paul Smith, the Choreographer Adam Dyer, and Kelly DeHaan as the Music Director.
From Jack Kelly, Crutchie, Katherine, Specks, Buttons… both casts were strong with talent and their own what I like to call “flavor.” I’ve seen many of them cross over into other casts and you can’t tell the difference.
Songs like Santa Fe,
Carrying the Banner,
The World Will Know,
King of New York
Crutchie’s sweet song Letter From the Refuge,
and Something to Believe In.
My favorite, Once and For All,
was such a powerful song. My family came on a night I arranged to work, and I got to sit next to them. When Once and For All came on, I pulled my grandson to my lap (he’s a big six-year-old) because I wanted to share the ‘feeling’ of that song.
There’s change coming once and for all.
You makes the front page and man, you is major news
Tomorrow they’ll see what we are
And sure as a star, we ain’t come this far… to lose
This is the story we needed to write as we’re kept out of sight, well no more
In a few hours by dawns early light we’ll be ready to fight us a war
This time we’re in it to stay, talk about seizing the day
Write it in ink or in blood, it’s the same either way.
They’re gonna damn well pay!
See old man Pulitzer snug in his bed, he don’t care if we’re dead or alive
Three satin pillows are under his head, while we’s begging for bread to survive
Joe, you can stop counting sheep, we’re gonna sing ya to sleep
You’ve got your thugs with their stick and their slugs, Yeah!
But we got a promise to keep!
Once and for all if they don’t find their manners, we’ll bleed ’em! (Bleed ’em!)
Once and for all we won’t carry no banners that don’t spell freedom!
Finally we’s raising the stakes, this time whatever it takes!
This time the union awakes, once and for all!
Come on, boys!
Yeah!!
This is for kids shining shoes on the street with no shoes on their feet everyday
This is for guys sweating blood in the shops while their bosses and cops look away
I’m seeing kids standing tall, glaring and raring a brawl
All of these guys who are sick of the lies getting ready to rise to the call!
Once and for all they’ll be blood on the wall if they doubt us
They think they’re running this town, but this town will shut down without us
Ten thousand kids in the square, ten thousand fists in the air!
Joe, you is gonna play fair, once and for all!
Once and for all!!
Once and for all!!
Once and for all!!
(This is where the burst of energy comes.) There’s change coming once and for all
You’re getting too old, too weak to keep holding on
A new world is coming for you, and Joe, we is too!
Til once and for all you’re gone!
Once and for all!
Once and for all!!
Once and for all!
(Once and for all!!)
I cannot leave out the crew who made the effects happen. They are often not mentioned, but I cannot say enough. The lighting, sound, costumes, and set were excellent.
Read more: Newsies-Read All About It Read more: Newsies-Read All About It
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