When Disney released Newsies in 1992, it was a box-office flop, evidence that audiences weren’t interested in an original live-action musical from the studio known for hit animated musicals like The Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast. Despite starring a young Christian Bale, along with Robert Duvall, Ann-Margret and Bill Pullman, it seemed destined for home-video obscurity. Instead, it became something of a cult classic, especially with women who
saw it as teens and preteens.
Now more than two decades later, Newsies is enough of a pop-culture phenomenon to join the pantheon of popular movies translated into stage musicals, and unlike many Hollywood productions that make their way to the stage, it comes complete with a soundtrack. The stage version features songs from the movie as well as new compositions by songwriters Alan Menken and Jack Feldman, who returned to write the new material. It debuted in 2011 and went on to be nominated for eight Tony Awards, winning two.
After a run of more than two years on Broadway (and a rumored production in London’s West End), Newsies is now on its first national tour, primed to reach all the grown-up fans who fell in love with the movie as kids. What once looked like a failure has developed into a resounding success.
The Smith Center for the Performing Arts, 7:30 p.m. March 17-20, 2 & 7:30 p.m. March 21-22, starting at $39 plus tax and fee. 702.749.2000
