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All Hail 'The King of New York' – Newsies Continues Its Broadway Reign

Extra, extra! Newsies is bustling with pavement-pounding energy and a helluva cast; it’s a headline you just can’t afford to ignore. Adapted from the 1992 movie musical starring Christian Bale as the young, strapping New York newspaper slinger Jack Kelly, Newsies the musical—a stage adaptation by Disney’s juggernaut theatrical team—takes audiences back to the turn of the 19th century, where it dives into the corrupt world of iron-fisted publishing heavyweights, street-savvy teens who sell their “papes” for a living, and the revolutionary real-life strike against sky-high price hikes that takes the concrete jungle by storm.

Corey Cott in Newsies on Broadway

Corey Cott with the cast. Photo by Heidi Gutman.

This classic American tale that places its bets on a  ragtag lineup of underdogs—or rather, a ragtag team of underdogs fighting for their cause—has been lighting up Broadway for nearly two years and it remains high on the short list of in-demand tickets, much to the delight of the cast and crew.

What began as an Off-Broadway opening at New Jersey’s noted Paper Mill Playhouse in 2011 quickly morphed into an acclaimed sell-out run that placed the show dead center on Broadway’s buzz map. As a result, it came as no surprise when Newsies transferred to Broadway’s Nederlander Theatre, opening in March 2012 for a (then) limited run.

Newsies on Broadway

Aaron J. Albano and Jess LeProtto. Photo by Deen van Meer

Featuring a tailor-made concoction of hits (scored by Alan Menken, a Disney stalwart) revived from the film, including the take-the-bull-by-the-horns anthem “Seize the Day,” and “King of New York,” and a cast that can tap their hearts out all the way to the bank—the production soon became the “it” destination in the heart of midtown, naturally giving way to the ultimate success for a budding show: an open run.

While Newsies film fanatics revel in the memory of Bale’s iconic portrayal, Broadway-goers are clearly just as thrilled by Corey Cott—a charming, “sight for sore eyes” type of brooding lead—as the ringleader of the newsprint-hustling brigade ready to take a stand.

Kara Lindsay and Corey Cott in Newsies on Broadway

Kara Lindsay and Corey Cott. Photo by Heidi Gutman

Fear not, romantics! Disney never misses an opportunity for a love story, and although Newsies features a predominantly male cast, one sharp tack female breaks through the pack and steals the heart of our heroic Jack Kelly. Liana Hunt, who has also appeared on Broadway in Mamma Mia!, plays the quick-witted female journalist Katherine, whose combination of beauty and brains sends Jack head over his own impeccable dancing feet (cue the swoon of “Something to Believe In,” a romantic rooftop duet). And before you can say “grand finale,” Katherine proves she’s every bit the spitfire newswoman as she joins in the movement and brings the newsies’ strike and plight to the public via the front pages.

In their Broadway debut, recent high school grads David and Jacob Guzman — the first-ever pair of male identical twins to perform together on the Great White Way — play  two fast-footed newsies, Mush and Sniper. “Taking the stage with my brother is an amazing experience,” says David. “We have created a family within the Newsies company, but it’s great to have my brother going through this with me.”

Jacob agrees, “Even when I was not on a Broadway stage I still loved performing with [David], and now being [here] makes it so much better,” he says. The duo prepared for Broadway throughout their childhood, dancing five days a week and sharing a unique support system. “We were never competitive while dancing. We would push each other to become better,” David notes.

While they’ve made history performing together, the brothers accept the fact that future projects may have them heading to separate projects. Regardless, the twins insist they will always have each other’s backs. “It makes it so much better when you are performing with your best friend,” says Jacob. “I could also see us not performing together because our futures will take us down different paths, [but] I will always support his decision[s], and always be proud of him.”

As for Newsies’ ongoing popularity, look to its outstanding company of performers, sparkling score, book (by Harvey Fierstein), and, of course, its stage-shaking dance numbers by Christopher Gatelli — all or which will stay fresh in your memory long after you’ve left the theatre, leaving you with an unrivaled Broadway musical experience, otherwise known as the perfect “Something to Believe In”!


Newsies is playing at the Nederlander Theatre, 208 W. 41st St. For tickets, call 866-870-2717 or visit www.newsiesthemusical.com.

About the Author

Melanie Baker hopes her aura is purple, and maintains a strict sushi diet. Big fan of mini-horses, Spotify, and pretending to be fluent in Spanish. She has 19 siblings and counting.

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