Are you traveling to New York City this Spring? Do you have a passion for musical theater? This March, Newsies will open on Broadway at the Nederlander Theatre. Originally released in 1992 by Disney, the film was based on the true story of the Newsboys Strike of 1899 in New York City, which was led by youth to force change in the way newsboys were compensated for their work. The musical, which will have a limited run on Broadway, is set in New York City and chronicles the story of Jack Kelly, a charismatic newsboy and leader of a band of teenaged newsies hoping for reprise from the hardships of street life. When publishers 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 is right.
Photo Credit: Louise Bishop, MomStart
Late last year, my travels brought me back to New York City where a group of Disney/DreamWorks-enthused bloggers were flown out for the world premiere of War Horse. During that trip, we were afforded an inside peek at the theatrical side of Disney. Along with viewing Mary Poppins and touring the New Amsterdam Theatre, we sat down with Steve Fickinger who serves as Vice President of Creative Development and Licensing for Newsies on Broadway. If you can believe it, he’s been working on the production for the past seven years! In his role, Fickinger began with the idea to bring the film to the stage and worked to get show into production. He will continue to “work” on the show until the curtain comes down on opening night.
I have vague recollections of seeing the film in my tween years, and while it wasn’t as successful at the box office as hoped for, Newsies has quite a large fan base today, with people “who know everything about it…every word, every lyric…” (Fickinger) So why bring the film…the story to Broadway? Over the years, Fickinger recalls two films that he finds are the most requested in terms of stage adaptation…Newsies and The Nightmare Before Christmas.
As I mentioned above, reaction to the film was quite divided and a decision had to be made regarding the story and how it would be adapted for the stage. According to Fickinger, “there are films that people know everything about…so you’d really better give them the story, the characters, the arc and the song [that] they remember.” And then there are those films (Newsies) that were mostly remembered for “the songs, the emotion, sort of the bravado and you didn’t really have to [stick] slavishly to the story.” The result is a story that is not only ready for the stage, but right for the stage.
Unbeknownst to many, the stage musical performed at the Paper Mill Playhouse in Millburn, New Jersey last fall for a small and limited engagement. The goal of putting on a regional production is to take a look at the production as a whole, gauge reactions, and rework it, if necessary, in preparation for Broadway. The result, according to Fickinger, was “satisfying…surprising on some levels…and completely and deeply wonderful.” While performances are only scheduled to continue through June 1oth, Fickinger is hopeful (as am I) it will at least run through the summer. Regardless of how long it runs, “I want it to be great. I’m really, really proud of the show,” states Fickinger. “It is in the best sense of the word, an old fashioned musical with tap dancing, soaring ballads, toe tapping tunes, and a story that is fantastically timely. I believe in heart… humor… emotion, and I think Newsies has all [of] those things, so I think it’s gonna be terrific.” (Fickinger)
Newsies On Broadway opens at the Nederlander Theatre March 15th.
No compensation was received for this post. All expenses related to the trip provided by Disney/DreamWorks.
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I love NY musicals and this one looks great! Maybe I need to start getting the hubby to plan a trip! Thanks for sharing!
I had a few friends who were in drama in high school so I went to every play. I should get back into going to plays. Makes for a neat date, as well.
I hope they take this show on the road. It looks wonderful!
Ohmyheck – This sounds like SUCH a great show! I’ll have to watch for it to come to my area, it definitely sounds like a fun night out!
I have loved Newsies since it was in theaters and Christian Bale had nothing to do with it (total lie).
I would LOVE to see this…looks fab!
thanks for share!