New Jersey Stage logo
New Jersey Stage Menu



 

Review of Disney’s “Newsies”


By Taryn Venner Ashe

originally published: 05/06/2019


The Cranford Dramatic Club Theatre, a 2018 NJACT Community Theater of the Year, is closing out its 100th season with Disney’s Newsies: The Broadway Musical. My eleven-year-old son and I attended the opening night, which was sold-out and thoroughly enjoyable. Before the performance, Assemblyman Jon Bramnick presented Joe Leo, CDC President and co-producer of Newsies, with a proclamation in honor of the theater’s 100th year. It was apparent by the audience’s cheers CDC Theatre has a deep history and dedicated supporters.

Newsies was originally a 1992 film produced by Disney and later a Tony Award-winning Broadway musical, which premiered at the Paper Mill Playhouse. Based on the Newsboys Strike of 1899 in New York City, the show opened with paperboy Jack Kelly, played by Shane Long, dreaming of a better life in Sante Fe. Long succesfully highlighted the young man’s hard-knock circumstances in the first few notes; he gave the perfect balance of charm and trouble. In the opening number, “Carrying the Banner,” he and his fellow newsies ignited the stage.

The show was full of energetic performances, especially by Long, Nate Shectman as “Crutchie,” Justin Robertazzi as “Davey,” and young Cole Lesser as the adorable “Les” -- who stole the show whenever he was on stage. Matt Burns was extraordinary as the villain, owner “Joe Pulitzer,” who hikes the price of “papes” and sets in motion the conflict with the boys. Even though their strike has repercussions for them, the Newsies are veritable underdogs and the audience enjoyed watching them fight, sing, and dance.

On a stage full of talented men were two women who shone in their own performances. Sandra Ward played “Medda,” a theater owner and ally of Jack’s. Ms. Ward’s rendition of “That’s Rich” was full of life. Jenna Ravenda was absolutely fabulous. She gave a stellar performance as “Katherine Plumber” the plucky news reporter and -- in true Disney fashion -- Jack’s love interest. Her solo “The World Will Know,” in which she outlines her pursuit of justice and debates her feelings for Jack, won over the audience. She and Long had excellent chemistry on stage throughout the show as well.

The CDC production team created a gritty turn-of-the century NYC through the props and turn-of-the century costumes. Scaffolds served as interchangeable structures: the boys’ rooftop sleeping quarters, Newsie Square, and the backstage balcony of a theater. Juxtaposed against their gloomy circumstances was a liveliness in the upbeat tunes and bright lights. The audience was able to balance two sentiments: the dire straits of child labor and the hopeful efforts of youth who seek change.




Advertise with NJ Stage for $50-$100 per month, click here for info



Newsies is a musical with catchy tunes and a family-friendly feel. This was most apparent in the dancing, which was so much fun to watch. Choreographer Amanda Grace is to be commended for her mix of acrobatics and dance combos for the nearly all-male cast. Try not to blink during the tap number, “King of New York.” It was an audience favorite indeed. Ultimately, director John Menter and his team were able to tell a dynamic story about the power of youth in the face of adversity. And they proved there is a great deal of talent in community theater.

Early in Act One, Medda tells Jack, “Where better to escape trouble but the theater!” Escape your troubles this week and go see the CDC Theatre’s production of Newsies. Performances are May 3-May 18; Fridays & Saturdays at 8:00pm; Sunday 5/12 at 2:00pm

CDC Theatre is located at 78 Winans Avenue in Cranford, New Jersey. For more information or to purchase tickets, click here.

PHOTOS: Top 2 photos by Rich Kowalski.  Bottom photo by Joe Leo



Taryn teaches World Literature and Creative Writing at County Prep High School, Hudson County Schools of Technology in Jersey City, NJ. She has an M.A. in Literature and Creative Writing from Fairleigh Dickinson University. She has been published in School Library Journal in School Library Journal. She can be contacted at tarynashe@gmail.com.



Advertise with NJ Stage for $50-$100 per month, click here for info




FEATURED EVENTS

ART | COMEDY | DANCE | FILM | MUSIC | THEATRE | COMMUNITY

To narrow results by date range, categories,
or region of New Jersey
click here for our advanced search.


Vivid

Vivid Summer Solos: My Name is Lucy Barton

Wednesday, July 16, 2025 @ 6:30pm
Visual Arts Center of New Jersey
68 Elm Street, Summit, NJ 07901
category: theatre

Click here for full event listing

 

The

The Mallard

Thursday, July 17, 2025 @ 7:30pm
Premiere Stages - Bauer Boucher Theatre Center
1000 Morris Avenue, Union, NJ 07083
category: theatre

Click here for full event listing

 

The

The MAC players at the Middletown Arts Center present "Hairspray"

Friday, July 18, 2025 @ 7:00pm
Middletown Arts Center
36 Church Street, Middletown, NJ 07748
category: theatre

Click here for full event listing

 

The

The Mallard

Friday, July 18, 2025 @ 7:30pm
Premiere Stages - Bauer Boucher Theatre Center
1000 Morris Avenue, Union, NJ 07083
category: theatre

Click here for full event listing

 

Good

Good Riddance; A Gnarly Murder Mystery Dinner, Dude!

Friday, July 18, 2025 @ 6:00pm
Carteret Performing Arts Center
46 Washington Ave, Carteret, NJ 07008
category: theatre

Click here for full event listing

 

More events

Event Listings are available for $10 and included with our banner ad packages




 

EVENT PREVIEWS

The

The 7th Annual Rogue Theater Festival to Present 37 New Productions

(NEW YORK, NY) -- Rogue Theatre Festival (RTF) returns with a bold and eclectic lineup for their 7th annual celebration of new works. This year, the festival will showcase 37 original plays and musicals, including fully staged productions, short plays, staged readings, and digital streaming performances. The Flea Theatre in Tribeca hosts this year's festival with performances running August 4-10, 2025 running in association with Abingdon Theatre Company. Staged Readings will be performed in The Pete theatre, series of Shorts and Fully Staged productions will take place in The Siggy at The Flea.



Without

Without a Clue Productions presents "Mrs. Roper Romp" and "A Golden Girls Murder Mystery: A Family Affair" at Resorts Casino Hotel

(ATLANTIC CITY, NJ) -- Without a Cue Productions heads to the Jersey Shore this summer with two cult classics coming to Atlantic City. Come for the caftan muumuus and stay for the Janet and Jack Tripper cocktails, as Mrs. Roper Romp brings the wild 70s fun to Resorts Casino Hotel. Don your best Mrs. Roper costume (and red curly haired wig!) and win fun prizes as you play party games and dance to Yacht rock inspired by the iconic hit show Three's Company. From the 70s to the 80s and early 90s, get ready to celebrate your favorite Golden Girls.



The

The Theater Project presents Kaleidoscope Kabaret 2025 in Summit

(SUMMIT, NJ) -– Six playwrights. Fourteen actors. Three singers. A band.



The Complete Works of William Shakespeare

'The Complete Works of William Shakespeare' Extends Its Run in Madison, NJ

The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey (STNJ)'s summer offering is The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) [revised] [again]. It is a fast paced, high energy, and humorous presentation of the works of The Bard.



Brookdale

Brookdale Summer Shakespeare presents William Shakespeare's "Macbeth"

(LINCROFT, NJ) -- Brookdale Performing Arts Center's Summer Shakespeare returns for its 23rd season with a free production of one of William Shakespeare's most gripping and haunting tragedies, Macbeth. This annual outdoor event continues to be a beloved tradition, offering free, high-quality theater to the community in the scenic setting of the college's Great Lawn. Performances run July 10-13 and July 17-20, 2025.