Curtain Calls: ‘Newsies’ takes the stage at Bankhead Theater from July 16-31
Maybe it’s because I’ve been a newspaper writer and editor for over 30 years, but I so love shows about my profession. “The Front Page” was long a favorite until “Newies” came on the scene. I love the energy of the young cast, the athletic choreography and how it’s anchored in a real-life situation – the newsboy strike of 1899. For two weeks, these young, often penniless youngsters stood up to the likes of William Randolph Hearst and Joseph Pulitzer.
Based on the Disney movie, the Tony Award-winning musical features book by Harvey Fierstein and music by Allan Menken and, fortunately for local audiences, will be produced by Tri-Valley Repertory Theatre July 16 – 31. The show takes place at Livermore’s Bankhead Theater, 2400 First Street.
Set in turn-of-the-century New York City, “Newsies” tells the story of Jack Kelly, leader of a band of teenaged “newsies.” When the publishers raise distribution prices at the newsboys’ expense, Kelly rallies newsies from across the city to fight for their rights.
Carol Hovey directs with Sierra Dee Rankin as musical director and Meghan Hornbacker as choreographer. Tommy Lassiter plays the pivotal role of Jack Kelly.
For a fun, high-energy musical, call 925-373-6800 or go to http://www.trivalleyrep.org/.
Walnut Creek: Look out for more crazy mania from Synergy Theater as they present “Improvisors in Space: A Spontaneous Starship Adventure.” Asteroids, androids and aliens take over in this exciting odyssey running July 7 – 17 at Walnut Creek’s Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr. According to Artistic Director Kenn Adams, the show will “keep you in stitches from the very first contact to the final frontier. Resistance is futile.”
The completely improvised two-hour theatrical adventure includes audience participation as the intergalactic panel of all-powerful beings sits in judgement of the human race.
“All through the show, the audience decides what happens next to the crew – what type of dangers they face and what type of decisions they have to make – and then, near the end, the audience decides if the human race has proven itself worth of space exploration or if they have to be destroyed,” said Adams.
High stakes indeed! To be both judge and jury, call 925-943-SHOW or go to www.lesherartscenter.org.
Martinez: There’s still time to catch Jim Maher’s new musical “The Invisible Man” playing through July 10 at the Campbell Theatre, 636 Ward Street, Martinez.
Directed by Randy Anger, the show tells the story of Jack Griffin, a scientist who experiments on himself and becomes invisible. Rather than use his new-found ability for good, Griffin uses it to create chaos and terror.
For tickets, call 925-350-9770 or go to www.campbelltheater.com.
San Francisco: It’s 1971 and a group of former showgirls return to their aging theater for a final reunion before the decaying building becomes a parking lot. This not unusual premise, however, becomes so much more in the extremely capable hands of James Goldman and Stephen Sondheim. The dynamic duo turns it into the nostalgic, and slightly other-worldly, musical “Follies.”
What makes this musical so unique is the appearance of not just the older original showgirls of the theater’s “Weismann’s Follies,” but also the ghosts of their younger selves. As the reunion progresses, several former showgirls perform their old numbers, often accompanied by their younger images.
“We are thrilled and amazed to be presenting the professional San Francisco premiere of this Sondheim classic,” said Bill English, Artistic Director. “More than a dazzling collection of tributes to musical styles from the first half of the 20th century, “Follies” is a meditation on the subject of regret, urging us to either refuse to regret or to make sure we have nothing in life to regret. It is also a profoundly feminist piece, that speaks with even greater power now than it did in 1971. We intend our “Follies” to capitalize on our intimate space to really delve into the characters’ dilemmas while at the same time giving space to theatrical wizardry!”
English isn’t saying exactly what that “wizardry” is, so we’ll have to see the show to find out!
Originally slated for 2020 until COVID intervened, the musical features top perfumers from around the Bay Area including the East Bay ‘s Caroline Altman as Stella Deems.
I first saw Altman many years ago in Lerner and Loewe’s musical “Brigadoon” at Walnut Creek’s Lesher Center for the Arts. In recent years, she has concentrated more on writing (“Whiskers,” a musical version of “The Velveteen Rabbit” and “Indy at the Opera” to name just a few) and teaching as Director of Education with San Francisco Opera Guild. I’m thrilled she has found time to get back on stage once again!
The cast also includes three-time Helen Hayes Award winner Natascia Diaz (Sally Durant Plummer) Samantha Rose Cardenas (Young Sally), Maureen McVerry (Phyllis Rogers Stone), Danielle Cheiken (Young Phyllis), Ryan Drummond (Buddy Plummer), Chachi Delgado (Young Buddy), Chris Vettel (Benjamin Stone) and Cameron LaBrie (Young Benjamin).
“Follies” runs through Sept. 10 at the SF PlayJuly 15 – 31house, 450 Post St., San Francisco. Call 415-677-9596 or go to www.sfplayhouse.org.
Sally Hogarty can be reached at sallyhogarty@gmail.com. Read more of her reviews online at eastbaytimes.com/author/sally-hogarty.