Disney's Newsies, the Triple Threat Challenge

On all weekends of July, the Globe Iconic Store Bonifacio High Street Amphitheater will be the home for one of Disney’s biggest theatrical hits, the 2012 Tony Award winning musical including Best Music, Newsies. Originally produced on Broadway by Disney Theatrical Productions, this high-energy musical is an adaptation of the 1992 cult hit motion picture (starring Christian Bale) and is inspired by the true events of the “Newsboy Strike of 1899” in New York. With lyrics by Jack Feldman, music by Tony and Oscar winning composer Alan Menken, and book by Harvey Fierstein 

The word "triple threat" has been doing its rounds recently ever since word came out that Globe Live in cooperation with Nineworks Theatrical was going to bring Disney's Newsies to Manila. Make no mistake the triple threat requirement  is what musical theater is all about. An actor must be able to sing, dance and act exceptionally well. It is not a new concept that actors are only now pondering about. It is a basic requirement of every single musical theater production. Some of the Philippines' best have capitalized in this having been exposed to several art genres.  However "Newsies" requires  a higher level of technical expertise in some aspects. Take for instance its  dance element, the original Broadway production was mounted on dance celebrities including So You Think You Can Dance stars Alex Wong (Season 7), Jess LeProtto (Season 8) Evan Kasprzak (Season 5) and Thayne Jasperson (Season 4). Google them and you will drool over their  beautiful performances showcasing technique (in their respective specializations). You can just imagine the inspiration they brought to the creative process. Now, Newsies is known for the hybrid choreography of tap, ballet and even hiphop.  The original choreography of the Broadway musical is nowhere near easy, it is highly energetic and definitely technical. Any other restaging after that must comply with the standard that has been set.  It won a Tony award by the way. The expectations that this musical brings is therefore gigantic. It is Disney after all. It is Alan Menken's music after all. 

Well, Nineworks so far seems to have everything covered. After a nationwide search they have casted some of the best triple threats in country.   This includes award winning actors, professional ballet dancers and newbies who will shake you to the core. Knowing full well that wasn't enough, they launched  "Training Ground" which is an intensive meant to train them into the best singers, dancers actors they can be. This is not your regular musical theatre workshop where you are taught to sing, dance and act. The Training Ground is a skill specific enhancement program.   Six hours a day, five days a week they train in preparation for the mounting of the show. So far the performers have been exposed to gymnastics, tap, hiphop,ballet and contemporary dance. Investing in art is always a good idea. Taking skill seriously usually means success. I can't wait to see if the Manila cast delivers and conquers the triple threat challenge. I'm betting on this one. See you all at the theatre ?!!

CHECK OUT THE CAST OF NEWSIES 

Gian Magdangal as Jack Kelly and Danielle Chopin as Katherine Plumber

      Davy: Jef Flores
Les: Daniel Drilon
Les: Tory Cortez
Crutchie: Luis Marcelo
Joseph Pulitzer :Greg
Medda Larkin: Pinky Marquez
Raymund Concepcion
Ariel  Reonal
Franz Imperial
Alex Diaz
Anton Posadas
Ian Ocampo,
Erick Arenas
Stephen Viñas
Ronelson Yadao
Jim Ferrer
Jourdan Bartolome
Mark Anthony Grantos
Chesko Rodriguez
 Jon Abella
Kendrick Ibasco
Vyen Villanueva
Jan Mayo
MC dela Cruz
Clark dela Riva
Joni Galeste
Melissa Bell

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