Paramount Once Again Seizes the Day

Newsies – Paramount Theatre

Paramount Theatre has done it again! Opening their new season is Disney’s stage adaptation of their own so-so 1992 cult movie musical of the same name. Taking Broadway by storm when it opened in 2012, “Newsies” went on to play over 1,000 performances before hitting the road in an excellent National Tour. Deservedly this musical earned eight Tony nominations, winning two for its athletic choreography and contemporary score. History promises to repeat itself as this regionally produced musical, now playing to sellout houses at the Paramount Theatre, is once again demonstrating why it’s one of our most highly-respected professional Chicagoland venues.

This exciting, outstanding production is under the expert guidance of Artistic Director Jim Corti, and is gorgeously sung, thanks to Musical Director and pit Conductor, Tom Vendafreddo. The show is brilliantly choreographed by Joshua Blake Carter, who’s making his Paramount debut. The production is energetic, visually stunning and, probably its biggest selling point, choreographically transcendent. Audiences of all ages will be duly impressed; but for every middle and high school-aged kid attending this musical, which has the appearance of a plot-driven boy band concert, this show is a teenage dream. As a bonus, the musical also teaches an important American history lesson, illustrating why unions are so important to the average worker (a concept probably not on the minds of most adolescents).

Based upon the true events that led to New York City’s Newsboys’ Strike of 1899, Disney Theatricals brought back the movie’s original composer Alan Menken (“Aladdin,” “Beauty and the Beast”) and lyricist Jack Feldman to flesh out the film  score for the stage. They hired Harvey Fierstein to rewrite the screenplay, turning it into a fresh, new theatrical script, with a more satisfying ending. The show previewed at Paper Mill Playhouse in 2011 to favorable reviews and then moved to Broadway a year later. It proved to be an overwhelming success, recouping its initial investment faster than any other adapted Disney musical. Now Chicagoland can enjoy this homegrown production in a  thrilling, vivacious show.

With a jaw-dropping scenic design by William Boles, and projections by Joe Burke that provide depth and texture, the audience travels from tenement rooftops to the streets of New York’s Lower Eastside, onto the stage of a burlesque house and into the office of Joseph Pulitzer. One thing is certain: this production doesn’t scrimp on production values. Jordan Ross’ costumes and Katie Cordts’ wigs, hair and makeup designs depict the boys’ poverty while contrasting the tailored wardrobe of the upper classes. There’s also an array of gorgeous period dresses and gowns for the show’s two leading ladies and the Bowery Beauty showgirls.

The musical’s principal character, Jack Kelly, leader of the Newsboys’ strike against Joseph Pulitzer, is played with grit and feisty determination by Alex Prakken. His portrayal of this determined ringleader is grounded and feels more authentic in this role than some his predecessors. Mr. Prakken brings a gorgeous voice, (particularly powerful in his ballad, “Santa Fe”) and a tetchy, restless quality that serves him well in this tale of an unsung David taking on a powerful Goliath. He’s matched by lovely Justine Cameron as Katherine, the young, fledgling feminist news columnist who takes up the Newsboys’ cause and ends up falling in love with Kelly. She’s scrappy and sassy—ready to mix it up with the boys, demonstrating that she’s both a terrific hoofer as well as a fine vocalist. Ms. Cameron’s powerful musical monologue, “Look What Happens,” is every bit as exciting as the show’s high-powered choreographed numbers.

Every actor in a supporting role is a standout, as well. Michael Kurowski, whose bright, innocent face immediately creates an empathetic connection with the audience, is terrific as Crutchie. Mr. Kurowski is at once heartbreaking and inspiring in this role. His beautiful singing carries much of the show, like his harmonic duet with Prakken in “Santa Fe,” and his poignant solo, “Letter From the Refuge.” 

Koray Tarhan is wonderful as Davey. Another excellent singer and dancer, Mr. Tarhan brings an earnest, intellectual quality to a  character that makes Davey a likable fighter for rights and a perfect second-in-command for his new friend, Jack Kelly. His gutsy, likable 10-year-old brother, Les, is played with gusto by Nathaniel Buescher (at alternate performances, Daniel Font-Wilets assumes the role). Jerica Exum is delightful as Medda Larkin, the beautiful, boisterous burlesque performer, with a soft spot for Jack and his cause. She sees the boy’s hidden talent as a visual artist and not only supports his creativity but pays him for his paintings. Ms. Exum brings down the house with her show-stopping, “That’s Rich.” Bret Tuomi is appropriately antagonistic as the show’s villain, Joseph Pulitzer. His power-hungry editor of The World, one of New York’s top newspapers at the turn-of-the-century, is nicely restrained from becoming a caricature. Mr. Tuomi’s number, “The Bottom Line,” is performed with proper authority and tells the audience everything they need to know about this nasty bureaucrat. 

With their astounding amount of musical and choreographic talent, the show’s dynamic ensemble are the real stars of this production. Songs that send the audience home humming include rousing production numbers like, “Seize the Day,” “Carry the Banner,” “The World Will Know” and “King of New York.” Without a doubt, every performer in this show is terrific.

This peppy, powerful regional production is an exciting confection that offers, as a bonus, a little history lesson and a sound message about fighting for your rights. Here’s a show that’ll appeal to audiences of all ages and send patrons out of the theatre singing and dancing in the streets. Theatergoers who  have never seen the cult film that spawned this musical may find themselves hungry to rent the DVD. As the leaves begin turning color and start to fall, Chicagoans can joyously usher in the season as Paramount Theatre, once again, Seizes the Day.

Highly Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas

Presented September 4-October 20 by Paramount Theatre, 23 East Galena Blvd., Aurora, IL. 

Tickets are available in person at the Paramount box office, by calling 630-896-6666 or by going to www.paramountaurora.com.

Additional information about this and other area productions can be found by visiting www.theatreinchicago.com.