'Newsies' an exciting celebration of young underdogs at Weathervane Playhouse in Akron

For extraordinarily high-quality entertainment for the whole family, it doesn't get better than the musical "Newsies" at Weathervane Playhouse in Akron.

This explosively high-energy show — a big dance musical — delivers on every level at the community theater, where it's a wonder to think that all the performers on stage are volunteers. From the youngest newsie Les (Ava Inglett) to the Jack (Brian Hirsch), the leader who rallies the others to strike, talent runs deep in this cast.

Director and choreographer Marissa Leenaarts has newsie actors at every level of experience pirouetting their way into viewers' hearts with her exciting ballet-based choreography. That's no easy feat to bring everyone to a cohesive dance level in this cast of 44, one of the largest in Weathervane history.

In this story, charismatic newsboy Jack leads a band of homeless, orphaned teen newsies in a strike after newspaper titans raise paper prices at the newsboys' expense. The story is based on a historic event — the 1899 newsboy strike in New York.

The Tony Award-winning musical, based on the 1992 film, opened on Broadway in 2012. It's now making its noneducational Akron premiere in at Weathervane after being produced at Porthouse Theatre in Cuyahoga Falls in 2017 and touring to Playhouse Square in 2014.

More: Talent young men shine in Porthouse's 'Newsies'

In Akron, Hirsch strikes a winning balance as lead newsie Jack, who's both street smart and wears his heart on his sleeve, yearning to escape poverty in New York for a better life out west. His solo "Santa Fe," when Jack is fears all his hopes and efforts are dashed, is heartbreaking.

Hirsch creates a fun, bantering rapport with female lead Rachael Armbruster, who plays girl reporter Katherine. Both are graduates of Kent State University's musical theater program, with Hirsch heading to New York in the fall after signing with a talent agency. Armbruster has a powerful voice but both show their sweet sides in the love song "Something to Believe In."

The newsies' anthems, "The World Will Know, Seize the Day" are big highlights but the tap number "King of New York" steals the show. In "Seize the Day," Leenaarts creates one-of-a-kind dance moves with the newsie twisting and turning on newspapers on the floor, also featuring dance captain Ozzie Casino executing awesome ballet whipping turns (fouettes) on newspaper.

Amid the hard-working cast, KSU musical theater freshman Sawyer Swick is a standout singer and tapper as Davey, the brainy newsie who joins forces with Jack. Ten-year-old Ava Inglett is adorable as Davey's brother, Les, and KSU theater student Billy Cummins is endearing as the lovable Crutchie.

The newsies' New York accents are fun, embodied fully by the charismatic Stanley Niekamp as the cocky Race. This show and its actors thoroughly embrace the world of the newspaper, with newsies slinging bundles in perfect synchronicity, a front-page from The Sun proclaiming "Newsies Stop the World" and even a cool printing press prop on stage.

Among the older adult actors, Todd Cooper makes a fine villain as Pulitzer and Sean Vollman is entertaining as New York Gov. Theodore Roosevelt, carrying a spot-on look with his mustache and glasses.

"Newsies," with its humor, romance, drama and rousing song and dance, is a winner as the closing production of Weathervane's 2021-2022 season. This show, delayed from 2020 due to the pandemic, will go down as one of the theater's finest musicals in the last couple decades.

Arts and restaurant writer Kerry Clawson may be reached at 330-996-3527 or kclawson@thebeaconjournal.com.

Details

Musical: Disney's "Newsies"

Where: Weathervane Playhouse, 1301 Weathervane Lane, Akron

When: Continuing through June 26, 7:30 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays, 2:30 p.m. Sundays

Onstage: Starring Brian Hirsch, Rachael Armbruster, Billy Cummins, Sawyer Swick, Ava Inglett, Todd Cooper

Offstage: Alan Menken, music; Jack Feldman, lyrics; Harvey Fierstein, book; Marissa Leenaarts, director/choreographer; Tiffany Bird, stage manager; Ron Hazelett, music director; Richard Morris Jr., scenic designer/technical director; Jasen Smith, costume designer; Jack-Anthony Ina, lighting designer/master electrician; Katie Rowland, sound designer; Tiffany Crabtree, properties designer; Jenna Baker and Makenna Bird, assistant stage managers; John Ebner, conductor/pianist; Sage Katusin, associate lighting designer; Kathy Kohl, assistant technical director; John Coyne, house sound technician  

Cost: $12-$35 

Information: weathervaneplayhouse.com, 330-836-2626

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Stellar 'Newsies' leap into hearts of audience at Weathervane in Akron