“Newsies,” a Broadway musical, opened on March 29, 2012. The musical was held in high regard, and as a result of its popularity, it was recorded before the show closed and is now available to watch on Disney Plus.
The musical (containing 18 tracks) has a total running time of approximately 2 hours and 13 minutes. The story takes place in 1899, and the costuming as well as the set reflect that. The characters also all have heavy New York accents, as that is where it takes place. The story follows “newsies,” kids who are living on the streets selling papers to survive. There is also a romance sideplot with the main character, Jack Kelly, and Katherine. The uprising of the newsies is due to a rise in the price they have to pay per paper. The story has the compelling factor of following the underdog as it focuses on the fight of poor children who live on the streets attempting to rise against, in the words of Katherine from the musical, “rich greedy sour pusses.”
The most captivating part of the musical is the sheer talent of every person in the show, including the ensemble. The main character, Jack Kelly, is played by Broadway star Jeremy Jordan. He is a talented singer who is able to convey emotion well. However, the ensemble also plays a major role in this musical due to the storyline. Every member of the cast is capable of acrobatics, ballet and tap. They showcase these skills throughout the show, and the choreography is nothing if not impressive. On top of that, their voices remain clear and still show emotion despite their advanced movement. They also don’t sacrifice their acting skills for any others either. The anger and defiance that have to be expressed for the story to be impactful are maintained through every song.
Another intriguing aspect of the musical is the storyline. The development of the characters and their struggles make you want to root for them. The story and the emotions tied in pull viewers in, allowing them to become attached to characters and the story. The story is especially compelling and satisfying to those who want to watch the rich get knocked down a peg. The storyline is also empowering to watch for the average person. It evokes a sense of being capable of change as you watch kids who came from nothing come together to topple Pulitzer’s empire. The characters also contribute to the story due to having depth. The songs develop certain characters while also furthering the plot. For example, “Watch What Happens” develops Katherine while simultaneously propelling the plotline of the newsies getting the public on their side.
Moreover, this show earned a 10/10 rating. The show has every possible element it could: incredible talent, eye-catching choreography, an emotional storyline and intriguing characters.
