Chicago Tribune - Somewhat Recommended
"...The original production used a lot of scaffolding to build excitement as the guys chase around the city, hawking their papes. Kevin Depinet, the designer, came up with a smart idea in the provision of giant girders that can move up and down, but it promises more than it delivers in the end. It’s not so much the lack of steps or the quality of any of the choreography (even at one of the final previews, everybody was hitting most everything they’d been given) as really pushing forward the spirit of the ensemble, fighting for themselves and thus also for the show. All these guys seem ready to roar and race to the heart of the yarn; they just need more focus. The principals — a group that includes Kevin Gudahl as Pulitzer and Stephanie Pope as Medda Larkin — are fine. The score is well sung, especially by Rooney. But some of the romantic scenes are tentative, a little rote and drippy for this piece and not especially connected. And we’re all waiting for the big numbers anyway."
Chicago Sun Times - Highly Recommended
"...I confess to being a total sucker for this show which so blithely combines my love of journalism, dance and New York. But it possesses a magic that goes well beyond such personal matters. The pure magic of “Newsies” — with its exuberant score by composer Alan Menken and lyricist Jack Feldman, and its playfully fervent book by Harvey Fierstein — is that it tells this story with great heart and a spirit of can-do optimism even as it delves into serious issues."
Daily Herald - Highly Recommended
"...In several respects, Marriott's timing could not be better. With the holiday season about to commence, the exuberant, family-friendly revival -- inspired by 1899's New York City newsboy strike -- offers theatergoers an alternative to seasonal shows. The production (which runs through Dec. 31) is also unintentionally timely, opening amid announcements of buyouts, layoffs and closings involving Chicago-area media outlets. More bad news, that even a production as good as this can't assuage."
Chicago Reader - Somewhat Recommended
"...I was struck by how director-choreographer Alex Sanchez and his lead, Patrick Rooney, found the quiet wistfulness in the opening song-struck enough to wonder whether Sanchez might use Marriott's in-the-round stage to bring the Disney blockbuster about an 1899 labor strike down to human size. But soon enough Sanchez falls into the trap of trying to approximate effects he can't reproduce. Though he gets strong singing, entertaining performances, and some great gymnastic dancing out of his cast, the big, beautiful Broadway version has all that and more. Lacking a new approach, the show can't help but pale by comparison."
Stage and Cinema - Highly Recommended
"...No question, Newsies’ feel-good showbiz savvy is well-earned: Sheer kinetic energy can more than pass for eloquence when packaged this propulsively. Jack, the unelected king of New York, may never get to Santa Fe but our time trip to a merry Manhattan is happiness on all cylinders."
Around The Town Chicago - Highly Recommended
"...When I saw that Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire had “Newsies, the Broadway Musical” on their season, I was stunned. Anyone who knows this in-the-round-venue is aware that the stage is far smaller than any of the Broadway In Chicago stages, and when I first saw the touring company of this show, I felt that none of our regional theaters’ could take on a big show with a large set like this. Once again, the people at Marriott have proven me wrong. They took this powerful Tony Award-Winning “phenomenon” based on the Disney movie of 1992 to new heights ( lower than before in set design, but extremely high in quality of performances, total design and energy. Wow! This cast is about as high in energy as I have ever witnessed!"
Chicago Theatre Review - Highly Recommended
"...Just in time for the holidays, Chicago’s own peppy, powerful production is an exciting confection that offers, as a bonus, a little history lesson and a sound message about fighting for your rights. Marriott’s show will appeal to audiences of all ages and is guaranteed to send theatergoers out of the theatre singing and dancing. If you’ve never seen the cult film that inspired this theatrical musical, or the filmed LA stage production that can be downloaded, this live stage production will thrill. Santa’s arrived early for Chicago theatergoers, but this year he’s carrying a newspaper bag filled with some highly-charged holiday treats."
Chicagoland Theater Reviews - Highly Recommended
"...The happy ending of “Newsies” is a bit pat and the momentum of the second act is slowed by the injection of the Jack Kelly-Katherine love story, but these are trivialities in an evening that soars with great dancing and a story that is an engrossing lesson in American labor and social history. This production stands among the gold star presentations in the luminous Marriott history and a credit to the Disney Company for attempting a project with some real theatrical and dramatic meat on its bones."
Chicagoland Musical Theatre - Highly Recommended
"...Their singing’s superb; their acting is stellar. But it’s this group’s meticulous execution of Sanchez’s truly sick choreography that patrons will be talking about during the car rides home. It’s the latest confirmation that musical theatre’s best directors are choreographers first (no surprise that Sanchez wears both hats for this production)."
Third Coast Review - Recommended
"...One of our favorite enhancements from film to musical was the deepening of the relationship and expansion of the character of Crutchy. Matthew Uzarraga plays the expansion well, with a fiery attitude that’s never annoying (where the same cannot be said for his film counterpart). Instead, Crutchy forms the foundation of a family Jack is searching for, even as he dreams of greener (?) pastures in Santa Fe, in song of course. Uzarraga is the most likeable, comical, sympathetic character in the early portion of the show, even over charismatic Jack."
Chicago Theater and Arts - Recommended
"...Stand-outs include the wonderful Stephanie Pope as Medda Larkin, Nick Graffagna as Davey, the brains behind the union and Matthew Uzarraga as Crutchie. The ensemble earn well-deserved kudos for their passionate, powerful dance moves."
Picture This Post - Highly Recommended
"...NEWSIES a true feel-good underdog story where these kids are trodden upon and decide to fight back for what's right. The house will be packed with audience members of all ages. If you're looking for a night out with the family, the youngins won't be able to tear their eyes away from the flips and tricks onstage. At the same time, the phenomenal acting and singing from the cast will have the adults gripped from start to finish."
NewCity Chicago - Somewhat Recommended
"...“Newsies: The Broadway Musical” is by no means a perfect show. As with most screen-to-stage Disney adaptations, the songs and content added to this version seem to drag overwhelmingly (the worst offenders here being “The Bottom Line,” which completely misses the mark on what could have been a classic villain song, and “Something to Believe In,” the deeply unnecessary romantic duet that grinds the plot to a total halt right before the climax in act two). But if you find yourself staring at the rafters wondering when the ensemble is going to come back again, don’t worry—you won’t be waiting long."
