“Newsies,” a Broadway musical based on a Disney film, will open Friday (Aug. 9) at Paliku Theatre on the Windward Community College campus.
The I’m a Bright Kid Foundation is presenting the show, staged on Broadway in 2012, which features music by Alan Menkin, lyrics by Jack Feldman, and book by Harvey Fierstein. It’s based on a 1999 Disney film by Bob Tzudiker and Noni White.
Known for its vigor and vitality, the plot features disgruntled newspaper carriers – “newsies” – who strike against powerful newspaper publishers in New York. The story is based on real-life newsies, circa 1899, challenging Joseph Pulitzer of The World and Randolph Hearst of The Journal over wages, or lack thereof, amid rising subscription prices.
The scrappy newsies go on a two-week walk-out and gain the attention of a newspaper reporter who writes an article on the conflict and helps the youths publish their own news bulletin.
Genesis Kaeo portrays the key newspaper hawker named Jack Kelly, who leads his scrappy colleagues comprising orphans and run-a-ways, whose plight earns the support of Katherine, the journalist portrayed by Seanalei Nishimura.
The show has been praised for its rousing dancing and its theme of David vs. Goliath – the little guy taking on the big corporate publishers – and boasts a soundtrack favored by youths, notably the contagious “Seize the Day.”
Directed by Mary Chesnut Hicks and choreographed by Ahnya Chang, the show features musical direction by Clarke Bright and vocal direction by Roslyn Catracchia.
Performances will be at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 9, 10, 15, 16,17, 22, 23, and 24, with matinees at 4 p.m. Aug. 11, 18, and 25.
Tickets: premium, $44; adults 18 to 64, $35; seniors 65+, students 12-17, military with ID, $29; children 6 to11, $24; at https://cur8.com/24380/project/85292 or www.imabrightkid.org/tickets …
Jazz quartet welcomes back drummer
The Honolulu Jazz Quartet will welcome back Adam “Von Baron,” its former drummer of 15 years, in a gig from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Aug. 19 at Honolulu Beerworks, 328 Cooke St.
Von Baron relocated to Japan but will be on vacation here with his family.
John Kolivas, leader of HJQ, will perform on bass with Jimmy Funai on guitar…
And that’s Show Biz…