I’ve said it many times in these reviews but some of the strongest theatre companies in Utah are the various arts councils and one of my personal favorites is Payson Community Theatre. They have consistently put out excellent shows and yet it still seems like they are under the radar and not praised as much as they should be. Their latest production of Newsies continues this strong tradition and is definitely worthy of your time.
Of course, Newsies is based on the classic Disney film from 1992 about a group of newsboys who went on strike in 1899. The film was actually a big flop at the time of release and Roger Ebert put it on his worst of the year list saying that he hated the film. I, on the other hand, was at just the right age for it and loved it, so I was thrilled when the material got the attention it deserves with a bit Broadway musical.
The production at PCT boasts a massive cast with nearly 60 people all choreographed and involved in telling the story of the newsies strike. Director Jeremy Showgren seemingly has thought of everything with all of the elements working together quite seamlessly. The biggest standout is the choreography from Emma Black. It’s hard enough to get such a large ensemble coordinated together but the dance moves are surprising and creative. At one point “Seize the Day” all of the “boys” even did somersaults together! The use of the paper being ripped and tossed around the dancers is also very effective and eye catching in this number.
Other standouts in the show is the combination of a practical 2-story set that easily morphed from the Medda’s club to the refuge but the very effective use of projections even managing to get the typing on the screen coordinated with the stage when Katherine (Sheridan Hansen) is typing “Watch What Happens.”
I wasn’t surprised to learn the cast consists of a lot of families doing the show together. One can feel this chemistry and it makes even less polished performers endearing and enjoyable to watch. My favorites of the cast are Alexa Back as Race (get her a lead next time), Bennett Claybaugh as Les (so cute) and Trevor Brackney as a very moustache twirling version of Pulitzer (he did a lot with a relatively bland role.) I also think Hansen and Andrew Cook have great chemistry as Jack and Katherine and they make the somewhat lame song “Something to Believe in” memorable.
There are times when the backtrack and performers are not in perfect sync and a few other technical imperfections but nothing that stops everyone from having a great evening of community theater. Taking the entire family to see Newsies at PCT would be a wonderful experience. Plus it’d be a great chance to teach kids about labor and its role just in time for Labor Day! Newsies is playing through Sept 1st at Salem Hills High School (this is a much better venue than the old high school.) Tickets can be purchased here.
Newsies: The Musical features music by Alan Menken with lyrics by Jack Feldman and a book by Harvey Fierstein based on the 1992 film of the same name and a screenplay by Bob Tzudiker and Noni White.
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