Photo credits – Matt Meduri & Diane Caudullo
In 1899, the streets of New York City echoed with the voices of the Newsies, carrying the banner and bringing you the news for a penny a paper. But when the newspaper moguls raised the price of the papers, the Newsies went on strike. Although a trying and difficult time in our nation’s history, it has now become the underlying story line for an amazing way to spend your afternoon reliving the events through great acting, song, and dance.
The Smithtown Performing Arts Center (SPAC) located at 2 East Main Street Smithtown had their opening night this past weekend with the Disney Production of Newsies.
Originally opened in 1932 as a five-hundred-seat movie theater that ran plays, musicals, and concerts, the SPAC building has been bought and sold a few times over the years yet continues on with the tradition of live theater. Most recently, in 2021, the current board of directors, all volunteers, took over ownership to allow the show to go on.
This now-historic building has been and is receiving some tender loving care while still producing quality live theater. Entertaining the masses and providing an amazing creative outlet and opportunity to many people of all ages.
Courtney O’Shea, who played Katherine Plumber, the journalist in Newsies, told us the auditions were tough. Many auditioned, coming from near and far, but only a few make it to the stage. Her counterpart, Mike Shapiro, who plays the lead Jack Kelly – more like nailed the part of Jack Kelly – left you realizing they are the best of the best. Truly talented local young adults, not just local kids who have some talent, but talented to the point of next stop Broadway!
O’Shea, 25, of Merrick, says that theater is one of her passions, but has a career in digital marketing for Major League Baseball.
O’Shea said that working with director and choreographer Kevin Burns is “utterly fantastic,” and that playing Katherine Plumber in Newsies has been on her bucket list since she first saw the show in 2012 on Broadway.
Mike Shapiro, 23 of Farmingville, says that his end game is Broadway and that he has auditioned for national tours, regional theaters, television, and film. Shapiro just graduated from LIU Post with a degree in marketing, but describes it as his “backup plan.” Shapiro adds that West Side Story is his “all time” favorite musical, as it was the first and second show he ever did.
“There’s not a lot of shows where you’ve got that brotherhood, sisterhood, and all-around camaraderie with everyone. It’s a really good feeling,” Shapiro told The Messenger of his time on Newsies. Interestingly, he added that holding a 1900s New York City accent throughout the show is one of the toughest aspects of the role.
Actors ranged from John Edwards, the youngest aged 11, as Les, to the most senior team member at 52, Jason Snair as Snyder, with one just as capable as the next. For those who know the show – there is a complicated tap scene involving the newsies, which the cast agreed is the most logistically difficult scene in the show. Many of the actors, who are not tap-dancers, learn the dance routine in less than five weeks from audition to opening night. Kevin Burns, director and choreographer of this production said they mastered it in three weeks, amongst the small task of learning the entire show. That’s a testament to both the choreographer and the performers’ talent and drive.
You may notice a comfortable chemistry on stage between O’Shea as Katherine and Shapiro as Jack. We learned that they have been in a few productions around the Island as the leads opposite each other. In speaking with the actors after the Sunday matinee – you could simply feel their love for their craft, they all spoke of the camaraderie that comes with being one of the cast and that no one was more important than another. They were a team and it showed. They actually answered some of our interview questions, in unison, as one. They also appeared very humbled by the response they received from the audience, they were genuinely invested in knowing the audience enjoyed the performance just as much as they enjoyed putting it on.
Cast members mentioned their favorite musicals besides Newsies, including Sweeney Todd, Les Miserable, A Chorus Line, and Hunchback of Notre Dame.
But back to the story line, they were newsies, just trying to make a few cents to get through each day. They didn’t mind “Carrying The Banner’ – they deemed it “A Fine Life” and learned that you need to “Seize The Day” when the opportunity arises. That, sometimes, you have to strike when the owner is only concerned with his “Bottom Line” and if you make the “Papes” you too can be the “King of New York”.
This show is truly one of those productions that you just want to see again and again, you find yourself truly rooting for the little guy. The songs are so engaging and powerful that you will find them on YouTube and play them over and over again, so I’ve heard. You will tell everyone you know to not miss the chance to see this show. You will realize that local, live theater is a true asset to your community in so many ways and should be supported. It provides a healthy and creative activity for the performers, especially our youth, just as much as it gives a family something unique to enjoy together. It makes for a great date night or night out with friends. You will leave uplifted and entertained and in addition to being local, it is also an affordable night out where every seat is a great seat.
This is the one that “The World Will Know.”
