RFA Newsies ‘Seize the Day!’ with four sold-out performances

One of the main draws of the Lakeside Theatre is the annual production of the summer musical. For nearly 50 years, they have performed the full gamut from traditional standards to quirky off-Broadway brands. This year, Rangeley Friends of the Arts brought the historical musical drama Newsies to the stage for four sold-out performances on July 25, 26, 28 and 29.

Newsies is loosely based on the real-life newspaper delivery strike of 1899. This original Disney musical was made into a film in 1992, before moving to Broadway in 2011. The story revolves around Jack “Cowboy” Kelly, played by Eric White, a rebellious newspaper delivery boy who dreams of a life as an artist away from New York City in Santa Fe. After publishing giant Joseph Pulitzer, played by Timmy Straub, raises newspaper prices at the expense of the paperboys, Kelly and his fellow paperboys take action on their own, forming a union and going on strike to demand fairer working conditions.

Carrying the flag Dan Hathaway

Erin Smith directed the musical for the third summer in a row, which meant devoting a lot of her free time between the months of February and late July. Erin also played the role of Medda Larkin, the owner of a vaudeville theater on the Bowery. It’s obvious that she loves what she does and Erin always does it well. Newsies was a masterpiece that played to four sold-out performances with standing ovations at each one.

Medda Larkin (Erin Smith) singing That’s Rich with her Bowery Beauties Dan Hathaway

Music Director and Keyboardist Sue Downes-Borko led an orchestra: Victor Borko, guitar; Daniel Labonte, trombone; Julie Schubert-Cowan, trumpet; Gia Walton, woodwinds; Ethan Wright, drums/percussion; and pit singers: Jeanie Brown, Dan Johnson, Dale Nagle, Flora Pirquet, Laura Sadler-Haperink, and Sidney Wade. This wall of sound brings a fuller, richer musical experience to the audience’s listening pleasure, with special thanks to Franklin Savings Bank for underwriting the orchestra’s expenses.

High-flying journalists Dan Hathaway

Whenever there have been “dance” interludes in previous RFA productions, “movement” has become the default phrase to refer to what the cast was doing. This “movement” could easily have been cardiac arrest or barefoot stomping on tacks. However, in this production, choreographed by Pam Ellis, ambition doesn’t come close to describing what has been achieved. The younger members of the cast were flying through the air, twirling, tapping and swaying. The months of practice they put in were certainly worth every gasp and round of applause from the audience. Pam was able to bring out the best in all the dancers. “Seize the Day” and “King of New York” were practically sensational.

Les (Skyler Thompson) proves something to his older brother Davey (Daxxtyn Williams) and Jack Kelly (Eric White) Dan Hathaway

Most of the 30-plus cast members were between the ages of 10 and 18. The adults in the cast were mere window dressing for the youngsters who were becoming stars. We can understand why WC Fields said, “Never work with children or animals,” because they will always steal the show. Ten-year-old Skyler Thompson offered all the evidence needed to back up this statement. She was cuteness incarnate.

It was wonderful to have Eric White and Daxxtyn Williams reunite on stage for another dynamic collaboration. Their chemistry is on par with that of Lewis and Martin, Crosby and Kaye, and Kelly and O’Connor. They bring out the best in each other, whether acting, dancing, or singing. Daxxtyn will be returning to UMO for her sophomore year, and Eric will be heading to Berklee College of Music in Boston for his freshman year. RFA appreciates their years of dedication to “bringing the arts to life.”

Katherine (Gracie Libby) writes and writes her way into our hearts in “Watch What Happens” Dan Hathaway

New talents arriving on the RFA stage include Gracie Libby, as Pulitzer’s daughter Katherine, and Bella Sexton-Burchfield, as Jack’s “brother,” Crutchie. Gracie is a music teacher at Mt. Blue, and Bella will be a senior next school year. The RFA always benefits when new blood is injected into the talent pool. This was especially true in this production. Mya Gellman and Hanna Pitkin made their RFA debuts as news models and Bowery beauties (although Hannah was Taylor Swift in last year’s Diva show). Other newcomers include Jess White, Ian West, Mo Webber, Kayla Brewer, Olivia Heatley, Lance Cunningham, Harper Wright, and Hannah Snow.

Sisters of Mercy feed journalists before newspaper delivery

Returning veterans, most in multiple roles, include Ben Wetherill, Anne Crump, Debby Higgins, Kaitlyn Hammon, Ana Orazi and Troy Hathaway. Averie Flewelling and Stella MacFawn brought their many years of dance experience to the table, tearing up the stage as Bowery newsmen and beauties. The talented Micha Beckman not only transformed from her four assigned roles, but also filled in for an ailing Erin Smith in the Sunday matinee, singing Medda’s “That’s Rich” and memorizing all of her lines in just a few hours. That’s hard.

Teddy Roosevelt (Les Hoekstra) comes on stage to laughter and applause. Dan Hathaway

Les Hoekstra, a true friend of the Rangeley arts, has the great honor of having played Teddy Roosevelt in two different shows, Newsies and Stella MacFawn’s Annie. As Les and I walked off stage after the last performance, he told me that it would be his last turn on stage. It was fitting and appropriate, then, that he received the longest applause and laughter when he entered the lights as Teddy Roosevelt that last night. Audiences have always loved Les and Les has always loved them. What an honor it has been to sing and have fun with such a caring and charismatic human being. Les has done so much for our theater community and, I’m sure, will continue to do so in many other performances as a steadfast friend of the Rangeley arts. The love of his life, stage manager and producer, Millie, will see to that.

Jack Kelly (Eric White) regains the lead before the negotiated end Dan Hathaway

The unsung heroes of a production of this magnitude are many. Sound engineer Curt Weese was able to make the finicky sound system do his bidding. Justin Orazi commanded the skylights to shine brightly as lighting designer. Rowenna Hathaway returned as prop master and was in charge of sound effects and lighting. Mary Boothby Brown led the charge to dress this large cast with nearly 60 costumes in all. Think about that the next time you complain about dressing your kids for school.

Pulitzer’s daughter Katherine (Gracie Libby, center) joins the journalists for a dance routine at King of New York. Dan Hathaway

The audience sits watching the spectacle as the world before them unfolds seamlessly, and at the same time there is a hive of activity behind the scenes, overseen by the queen bee, stage manager Millie Hoekstra, and her drones, the stage crew, Alex Hathaway, Shirley Truland, Liz Thompson and Ian West. Valerie Zapolsky has joined Millie as the second of two producers. The less you know about all the things they are responsible for making happen, the better you will sleep.

Newsies cast on strike for better conditions Dan Hathaway

The book is by Harvey Fierstein, and Alan Menken and Jack Feldman wrote the music and lyrics. When Alan, who also composed Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid, and Little Shop of Horrors, to name a few, heard that we were producing Newsies, he sent us a personal note of encouragement. This says a lot about the theater community and what it means to bring the arts to life around the world, but specifically in our humble city. Thank you to all who recognize the importance the arts have in our lives and do as Newsies advises and “seize the moment”!

Angry and ready to stand up to establishment oppression. Dan Hathaway

Newspaper sales are determined by headlines. Dan Hathaway

Joseph Pulitzer (Timmy Straub- R) temporarily gains the upper hand over blind Jack Kelly (Eric White) Dan Hathaway

Tougher with a crutch Dan Hathaway

Months of practice really pay off. From left to right: Daxxtyn Williams, Troy Hathaway, Averie Flewelling, Mya Gellman, Eric White, Mo Webber and Ana Orazi Dan Hathaway

Jack explains to Davey’s little brother how his cuteness can help sell more newspapers.

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