The Disney’s Newsies Premier Party that took place on January 29th, was a great time for all who attended. There was a spot set up for visitors to have their picture taken with the play’s banner which had a plethora of newspapers placed all around it. The event was catered by The Ohio Street Bistro, and the cast of the Newsies was on hand to give the audience a preview of the upcoming play. For those who aren’t familiar with the play, it is set in New York City during 1898, when the relative army of newspaper sellers, hence the newsies, went on strike.
“I think it is a lot of fun,” said party goer, Dotti LeSieur, “you get a little taste of the show. It is a good marketing tool, because people will go out and tell other people how much they enjoyed it.” There are approximately 55 cast members in the show with some pretty fancy footwork including some well-done flips that are reminiscent of a gymnastics competition.
The cast performed 5 songs from the play including Carry the Banner, in which it seemed that all 55 were on stage at one time, dancing together in a grand production. Two of the main characters, Katherine and Jack, then sang a love song entitled, Something to Believe In. It was touching and sweet how the star-crossed lovers were holding on to each unlikely day together. Seize the Day was a song focused on the strike and dealing with the scabs who came to take the place of the newsies.
In the next song, Watch What Happens, Katherine sang by herself as she wrote an article supporting the striking newsies. It was well done, and a very high energy performance. The last song of the evening was King of New York. Katherine and the newsies put on a wonderful presentation which included tap dancing.
The director, Chance Harmon, spoke highly of the cast members recognizing the huge pool of talent available in our area, and thanked the parents of the largely youth cast for supporting their actors. Jack was played by Bailey Hawkins, and there were two Katherines, Amanda Jackson and Ashlen Loskot. Cast member Avery West, who plays one of the newsies, said that she was very excited about the show. She encouraged others to come and see the show. The set was incredible, and the costumes were very professionally done. Judging by the premier party, the actual production will be a play you won’t want to miss. The Disney’s Newsies will show on weekends starting February 8th.
-Cindy Thomas
