NEWSIES unites and delights at Sundance Summer Theatre

SUNDANCE — “Carrying the Banner” at Sundance Resort is a rag-tag group of newsboys and newsgirls. Director Jennifer Delac Rimke presents Newsies: The Musical at Sundance Summer Theatre as a production full of youthful energy in partnership with Utah Valley University School of Arts. Unlike the trolley strike dragging on for three weeks, this twentieth production of Newsies in Utah continues to prove why the show keeps appearing in the digital headlines of Utah Theatre Bloggers.

With music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Jack Feldman, and book by Harvey Fierstein, Newsies: The Musical is an adaptation of the 1992 film of the same name. The musical and film tell the story of the 1899 newsboy’s strike in New York City. Jack Kelly is the fictional leader of the strike helping his fellow newsboys and newsgirls, though dreaming of going to Santa Fe. Newbie Newsie Davey helps lead the strike while younger brother Les tags along. Young female reporter Katherine Plumber is caught up reporting on the strike and in a budding romance with Jack. The Newsies’ strike catches on with other overworked children of New York City caught in impoverished conditions.

Jordan Briggs as Jack Kelly presents the Newsies leaders as outwardly confident and charismatic. Importantly, Briggs’ acting convincingly grounds the inner emotional arc of Jack’s character in relationships with others. Briggs and Jonny Francis, playing Crutchie, perform their character’s friendship organically so it feels like two brothers bonded by circumstance. Francis performs “Letter from the Refuge” as achingly bittersweet- these funny words are sung brightly and clearly about tragic circumstances. Francis offers hope in the scene, that Briggs interprets with despair. As Jack, Briggs feels genuinely sorrowful reacting to Crutchie’s letter regarding abuse in the refuge.

Briggs acts compassionately toward the other Newsies when Jack encourages them to strike and later when Jack hopes to protect them by calling for an end to the strike. “Santa Fe” is Jack’s declaration of what he says he wants, and Briggs builds on that theme to make clear the conflict between Jack’s competing desires of fanciful dreams and tangible friendship. Jack’s intentions to leave completely ignore that actions speak louder than words. Another relationship between Jack and Medda, played by Daysha Lassiter, is likewise compelling. Lassiter and Briggs play a pseudo-mother-son bond between the characters that feels meaningful to both. In building these relationships, Briggs’ choices as Jack become emotionally weighted but obviously easy to resolve favoring the people Jack cares about more than the dreams of Santa Fe.

Newsies may feel like a standard issue in the Utah theatre scene after twenty productions across the state since 2016. However, I attended with my sister and we are longtime fans of the 1992 film, though first-time viewers of the musical. As new viewers, we both liked the character of Katherine, a unique character added to the musical, and her portrayal by Makenna Ashby. One of the songs written for Katherine, “Watch What Happens”, is a great blend of fast lyrics and a beautiful chorus. Ashby’s mannerisms and delivery portray Katherine’s ambition, hopefulness, anxieties, and endearing youthfulness. Ashby handles the verses’ pattering lyrics clearly dictating and performing through the verse. Ashby even catches the funnier frustrations of a potential crush on Jack Kelly. Ashby’s chemistry with Briggs strikes a good balance so their character’s youthful love story builds throughout the rest of the musical.

Cameron Ward plays a diverse set of characters as weaselly Wiesel, Medda’s stage manager, deli owner Mr. Jacobi, and the mayor. Ward’s movement and voice for each character are so persuasive. It takes a second to recognize the actor hassling the Newsies to buy “papes” as the one humorously shuffling along to pass out their drinks. This smaller part stood out because of how well Ward performed the roles.

The ensemble number “Seize the Day” is a highlight. Carter McEwan as Davey is a terrific lead in this song that defines the character and the Newsie strike theme. McEwan uses the vocal to slowly grow in confidence calling the ensemble to rise. Choreographer Erin Farrell Speer uses dance in “Seize the Day” as Davey teaches the other Newsies the “steps” and they all join. “King of New York” is a great tap number for the ensemble. Speer creates a scene of energy and joy by using tap shoes, tapping spoons, and more athletically inclined dancers. The song is a favorite of the show, and I loved how much fun the performers looked onstage. While not all the ensemble members are perfectly on time and the dancing is a little rough, it fits the characterizations of rough children and teens hawking “papes”. Unfortunately, a noticeable loud clicking or cracking noise recurred a few times during the large group dance numbers over the sound system, but the cause was unclear.

The outdoor amphitheater’s open stage set with metal scaffolding like a fire escape set in industrial New York 1899 offered promise. The metal industrial set Milinda Weeks designed contrasts with the resort’s beautiful green trees. The set allows for variety in the staging by director Rimke and in the choreography by Speer. The rolling staircases move between scenes creating additional settings like Medda’s Bowery, the refuge, and the newsstand. I particularly liked how director Rimke used the apex of the set for Jack’s “penthouse” rooftop because it helps separate Jack from the city floor and the other players.

I hoped the cast would use the black chalkboard placed on the set more frequently. After Jack writes “STRIKE” on the board, the element is no longer used but is still clearly seen. The board belongs to the newspaper so it felt unlikely that Pulitzer would not direct employees to fix the board after blacking out all strike news. The chalkboard feels forgotten rather than integrated throughout the story.

In the outdoor space, lighting designer Marianne Ohran overcomes the challenge of natural lighting by building light elements throughout the performance. The show starts in full outdoor lighting – perfect for the show’s opening number set at dawn. The setting sun naturally dims through the production, and the stage lighting grows more apparent. Small lamp lights along the edge of the stage turn on with the song “The World Will Know”. The growing stage lighting effects work to add theatrical richness corresponding to the character’s story beats as the real world fades to darkness. The act one finale “Santa Fe” is lit to focus completely on Jack in this beautiful solo as the stage lightning is now clearly apparent in colors and style.

The Sundance Summer Theatre production of Newsies is a top-of-the-line performance of this inspiring and endearing story, though at a premium ticket price compared to similar summer musical productions. Sundance Resort’s outdoor amphitheater is a unique and casual theatre setting offering bench and lawn seating. Arrive early to walk or ride a shuttle from the parking lot to the amphitheater and check the weather beforehand. I enjoyed seeing a childhood favorite adapted with numerous improvements into a great musical adaptation in the beautiful Wasatch Mountains.  Newsies at Sundance offers a quality summer theatre outing for those interested in enjoying a repeat or first-time viewing of this Utah favorite.