By Mikenzi Ford
Theatre goers will want to watch the joy and vitality that happens in Newsies: The Broadway Musical playing at Ellen Eccles Theatre in Logan, Utah. An energetic and moving performance from start to finish, the talented crew at Music Theatre West has outdone themselves again and this is one you don’t want to miss.
Following a group of homeless, penniless boys through the streets of New York in 1899, Newsiesleads the audience to rally around Jack Kelly (Nathan Scott) as he and his gang move past selling newspapers on the streets to taking on Joseph Pulitzer (Stanton Allen), one of the richest and most powerful men in the city. Jack and his devoted friend Crutchie (Garren Huckaby) meet Davey (Issac Larsen) and his little brother Les (Soren Pedersen) and these friends, joined by a whole cast of dancing, flipping, expressive newsies, band together to take on their own Goliath. An ambitious young journalist Katherine (Sara Marshall White) gives these boys a voice as the only journalist willing to shine light on the abysmal working conditions of children in the early 1900s.
Director Lindsey Kelstrom leads this cast in carefully crafted, rambunctious performances all around. Music Director Karin Gittins has taken her amazing cast to new heights and the singing is amazing. The skill and vocal talent during the show’s many fast-paced and witty musical numbers shines in this production. Newsies has some of the most enjoyable, energetic, and thrilling dance numbers and it seemed as if many of us in the audience could barely keep in our seats after each song. Choreographer Colie Peterson and Assistant Choreographer Elizabeth Needham Poulsen had the audience eating out of their hands as the actors dance, flip, and tap the night away.
The set is masterfully designed by Set Designer Thomas Jennings as moving pieces lead viewers from the chaos of a chase through back streets of New York to the simple solitude of a lone boy locked in the Refuge, an abusive, jail-like facility for ‘troubled youth’. Throughout the performance Lighting Director, Kenneth Bell gives just the right mood. Costumes by Celeste Baillio and Debi King are not just authentic, they are gorgeous.
From Director Kelstrom: “There are about 50 male actors in this show who can all sing and dance. Amazing talent for such a small community. Scene changes are seriously flawless in this one. We spent hours upon hours choreographing those to be just right, and the are all carried out and moved around by the cast members themselves. They are seriously so on top of it!”
Music Theatre West’s production of Newsies is a fabulous, family friendly display of talent and principles, a story that will touch your heart and a performance that will make you smile. Seize this day to grab tickets to Newsies: The Broadway Musical while you still can.
Music Theatre West presents Disney’s Newsies: The Broadway Musical, music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Jack Feldman, book by Harvey Fierstein based on the film’s screenplay by Bob Tzudiker and Noni White.
Ellen Eccles Theatre, 43 S Main St., Logan, UT 84321
March 2-4, 2023 7:30 PM, Saturday matinee 1:30 PM
Contact: 443-536-8670
Music Theatre West Facebook Page
Promo Video
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