When I was growing up I lived and breathed Newsies so much so that my parents once hid our VHS copy of it so that I couldn’t watch it. Jokes on them because I found it a year later when we moved and I made sure to make up for lost time. Needless to say the fact that Newsies is currently at Portland’s Keller Auditorium makes me giddy.
For those of you who aren’t a Newsies fanatic like myself and might be wondering what in the world I’m talking about here is a little bit about the show:
Set in New York City at the turn of the century, NEWSIES is the rousing tale of Jack Kelly, a charismatic newsboy and leader of a ragged band of teenaged ‘newsies,’ who dreams only of a better life far from the hardship of the streets. But when publishing titans Joseph Pulitzer and William Randolph Hearst raise distribution prices at the newsboys’ expense, Jack finds a cause to fight for and rallies newsies from across the city to strike for what’s right.
NEWSIES is inspired by the real-life ‘Newsboy Strike of 1899,’ when newsboy Kid Blink led a band of orphan and runaway newsies on a two-week-long action against Pulitzer, Hearst and other powerful newspaper publishers.
Newsies, a Disney Theatrical Production under the direction of Thomas Schumacher presents Newsies, music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Jack Feldman, book by Harvey Fierstein, starring Joey Barreiro (Jack Kelly), Steve Blanchard (Joseph Pulitzer), Morgan Keene (Katherine Plumber), Aisha de Haas (Medda Larkin), Stephen Michael Langton (Davey), Zachary Sayle (Crutchie), John Pitera or Ethan Steiner (Les) under the direction of Jeff Calhoun, choreographed by Christopher Gattelli, North American Tour
I was lucky enough to have a little bit of ladies night out with a friend to see Newsies on opening night. The cast was so talented and the set was amazing. I have to say I am a bit of purist when it comes to musicals so I wasn’t a huge fan of the major changes to the story (Jack falls for a different leading lady and Bryan Denton’s roll was replaced) and I also didn’t love the new songs. That all being said would I go see it again? YES! I can look past those things because the performance was wonderful, fun, engaging and I mean it’s Newsies what’s not to love! I’ve listed the performance dates for the remainder of the week- get your tickets now!
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TICKET AND PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
NEWSIES will be at Portland’s Keller Auditorium for eight performances. The schedule for the Portland engagement is:
Tuesday, April 19 7:30pm
Wednesday, April 20 7:30pm
Thursday, April 21 7:30pm
Friday, April 22 7:30pm
Saturday, April 23 2:00pm and 7:30pm
Sunday, April 24 1:00pm and 6:30pm
For information on ADA seating, please call the Portland Opera Box Office at 503-241-1802 or email boxoffice@portlandopera.orgTickets can be purchased:
www.BroadwayInPortland.com,
Portland Opera Box Office: 503- 241-1802 or toll free at 866-739-6737
Portland’5 Box Office: 800-273-1530, All TicketsWest locations
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Disclaimer: Broadway In Portland was kind enough to provide me with two tickets to attend the show. I did not receive any monetary compensation for this post.
Interesting to think that the classic would be changed so much. I love that PCS is doing these days!
I don’t think PCS is doing Newsies, are they? I think it’s Keller 😉
Newsies sounds like such a fun show! What a great ladies night out.
I’ve heard that newsies is an awesome show! Great write up.
I LOVE the Newsies! Unfortunately, we are pretty booked. I wish it was playing longer!! Enjoy the show