Mariemont High School's NEWSIES

Jack Kelly (Jonathan Hester) dreams of a life far away from the grim reality of New York. He is longing for a better life in Santa Fe.

Review by Natalie Hartman, Lakota West High School Critic Team

Black, white, and red all over, Mariemont High School's production of Newsies was certainly one to read about. The cast and crew worked as one to piece together not only a lively musical, but also a story of camaraderie, resilience, and perseverance.

It is easy to address larger historical events in a musical, but this leaves smaller movements to be recognized much less. An example of one of these smaller events would be the strike of the New York Newsboys in 1899, in which the boys unionized and fought for fair wages. Newsies is directly based on this strike and tells the story of the newsboys through the eyes of a seventeen-year-old named Jack Kelly.

Mariemont High School brought Jack Kelly's story to life. The cast artfully executed many scenes, songs, and dance sequences that truly conveyed the struggles and successes of the strike. Meanwhile, the crew provided technical elements, such as lighting, set, and sound that amplified the story even further.

The clear figurehead of the story was Jack Kelly, played by Jonathan Hester. Hester's vocals brought life to the stage, as he expertly executed an exceedingly difficult track. He was able to demonstrate an extremely wide range of emotion through acting, song, and dance, while chasing Kelly's lofty goals. Alongside him, Eva Fischer as Katherine Plumber brought wit, logic, and levelheadedness to a plan immersed in chaos. Fischer and Hester created a beautiful dynamic between characters onstage, keeping the audience engaged and interested at all times.

While the strike was headed by Kelly and Plumber, Medda Larkin, played by Audrey Satterwhite, provided the perfect contrast to the havoc of revolt. Satterwhite's dance and vocal performance was unmatched, as she manifested not only the materialistic showgirl side of her character, but the sweet, caring friend that she is as well. Outside of Medda's theater, Davey, played by Davis Wickham, served as Jack's voice of reason when they faced the repercussions of the strike. Wickham brought the story from each plot point to the next with skill and craftsmanship.

In addition to the actors, the work of the tech crew fulfilled the purpose of the show with passion. Particularly, the lighting, led by August Hagen, created a sense of intensity, drawing in audience members around the climaxes of each act of the show. The costumes, designed by Cana Peters, were also an integral part of the story. They displayed the clear differences in social classes and regional locations, which were extremely important at the time of the strike.

Like the headline of a newspaper, Mariemont High School's production of Newsies captured both the audience's attention and heart with its extravagant production and meaningful story.

 The Newsies, led by Jack (Jonathan Hester - second from left) and Davey (Davis Wickham - third from left), plot how they can get the word out about their strike to all of the boroughs. 

Review by Zachary Stucker, Walnut Hills High School Critic Team

The press, or more accurately, the audience, were stopped in their seats as the band set the bombastic mood and the curtain rose on the delightfully dingy, urban set of Mariemont High School's inspiring production of Newsies.

Newsies follows a fictionalized version of the real-life Newsboys' Strike of 1899. It centers around the dashing, charming newsboy Jack Kelly as he and his fellow newsboys stand up to the newspaper owner Joseph Pulitzer and his unfair price hikes. With the assistance of journalist Katherine Plumber, Kelly and the newsboys strike and make their voices heard in this heart-pounding story.

Mariemont made use of everything at their disposal and put together the perfect energy for a show of this nature. The awe-inspiring choreography, the beautifully distinctive yet simple costumes, and the stellar work from each talented actor on stage all came together to deliver the audience a show that lived up to all the expectations one may have when seeing a show as popular as Newsies.

From the jump, Jonathan Hester's performance as Jack Kelly gave off the exact charm and wit that the other characters in the show see. He made nearly perfect use of accents, body language, and delivery to portray this character in such a way that makes it hard to see anyone else in his shoes. The show is also led by the determined Katherine Plumber, portrayed by Eva Fischer. She cemented her place in the show with fantastic vocals and a wonderful portrayal of her character's development and progress throughout the story.

An additional stand-out performance was that of Guy Tesnar as Joseph Pulitzer. He brought an engaging and hilarious performance as the story's main antagonist, maintaining his wonderfully charming presence at all times when on stage. On top of that, he dazzled with his wonderful vocals in songs such as "The Bottom Line." The background of the whole show was cemented by the wonderful ensemble that is The Newsies themselves. Most of the time they're on stage, they let their chemistry shine. That, along with their consistently impressive choreography, especially in the song "Once and For All," where they make wonderful use of the stage and props to surprise and impress the audience.

All the talk of acting isn't to detract from the impressive technical elements. Stage Manager Tyler Harden's work was seen through the skillful deck changes throughout the show. Harden's work allowed set pieces to be moved seamlessly behind the scenes and allowed the deck crew to make efficient use of Mariemont's smaller backstage space. Another enhancement of the show was the costumes, designed by Cana Peters. The period-accurate costumes managed to still have little details and pops of color that were no doubt very impressive.

Mariemont managed to take this incredibly intimidating show and make it into a fun, inspiring experience that did this incredibly popular show justice.

Katherine (Eva Fischer) and Jack (Jonathan Hester) celebrate being King of New York after winning their battle with The World.

Review by Adelaide Linser, Walnut Hills High School Critic Team

A triumphant trumpet tune pierced the air as the Newsies flooded the aisles, surrounding the audience with the restless energy of turn-of-the-century New York. Mariemont High School's production of Newsies brimmed with energy, heart, and rebellion as boys turned into men right onstage.

Adapted from the 1992 film of the same title, Newsies follows the valiant Jack Kelly as he navigates the unfair working conditions that sparked the 1899 Newsboys Strike and his budding feelings for the daughter of the very company they work for, Katherine Plumber. Newsies is a jubilant mix of music and storytelling that brings history to life with its infectious energy.

With limited backstage space, Mariemont High School creatively utilized a layered scaffolding set that transformed throughout the show, allowing different levels to become new locations in an instant. The staging expanded beyond the stage as actors spilled into the aisles, pulling the audience directly into the alive and bustling streets of New York.

Leading the fight was the charismatic Jonathan Hester in the role of Jack Kelly. Hester brilliantly navigated both a precise Manhattan dialect and deeply purposeful physicality. Vocally, Hester handled the role with a full and developed tone and a delicate dynamic contrast that provided depth and clarity to the character's inner struggles. Alongside Hester, Eva Fischer, playing the ambitious Katherine Plumber, brought a special complexity to the role, particularly in her compelling rendition of the celebrated "Watch What Happens." Together, the two created an endearing love story that added a layer of charm to the combative story.

A show like this is not complete without its ensemble. The Newsies bounded onstage with an undeniable ensemble chemistry. Their movement was tightly synchronized while still showcasing the individuality of each newsboy. Together, the Newsies created an organized chaos that wholly captured the scrappy spirit of the story. A star amongst this bunch was Camryn Martin as Finch. Martin's dancing was especially striking, marked by sharp bodily control and impressive acrobatics.

Behind the scenes, the costuming work of Cana Peters blended vividly with the rugged and gritty environment of the streets of New York. Peters used intentional pops of color to differentiate the Newsies of the various New York City blocks. The costumes were especially striking on the department's Instagram page, managed by the publicity team: Camryn Martin, Claire Gouliat, Tessa Adam, and Jonathan Hester. The work of the marketing crew masterfully captured the defiant and earnest nature of the show through actor highlights, yard signs, and elementary school outreach.

With excellent tech, earnest performances, and harmonious collaborations, Mariemont High School proved that unity and brotherhood can empower ordinary people to fight injustice and destroy corruption.

Excerpts From Other Top Reviews

"Supporting the actors, the technical elements of the show were just as magnificent. The stage management and stage crew, led by Tyler Harden and August Hagen, expertly navigated the scene changes of an extremely intricate set. From steering detachable platforms to storing furniture within the onstage scaffolding, the stage management team did a wonderful job ensuring that the show went off without a hitch."

-Clark Sayre, Walnut Hills High School Critic Team

"The ensemble contributed heavily to the spirit of the show through choreographed sequences and lively numbers. In the role of Crutchie, a boy with an injured leg but unwavering dreams, Sean Murphy epitomized optimism and steadfast loyalty through lighthearted scenes and poignant vocals. His amiable qualities kept the audience invested in his emotional story. Davis Wickham brought Davey to life, bolstering the revolutionary strike with clever strategy and steadfast support. A role renowned for comedic relief, Les, Davey's younger brother, played by Betty Good, maintained the storyline while providing levity amid intense emotions."

-Ellie Mark, Conner High School Critic Team

"However, it's crucial to note the importance of crews within a production, and the costume crew led by Cana Peters did not go unnoticed. Their choices of certain color schemes not only provided a clarification of characters in certain scenes but also were pleasantly creative. Further signs of innovation were also displayed by Camryn Martin, Claire Goulait, Tessa Adams, and Norah Dershaw, who led hair and makeup. The hair and makeup of the actors were subtle but sufficiently detailed, which added a nice touch to the production as a whole."

-Naomi Madaris, Walnut Hills High School Critic Team

"Betty Good brought a hilarious take on Les, with precise comedic timing and sidesplitting one-liners. Every time Les was onstage, Betty shined with hilarious bits and segments. Camryn Martin also made the most of every time she was onstage as Finch with extraordinary dances met with uproarious applause. Audrey Satterwhite also did a terrific job whilst portraying Medda Larkin with a stunning voice in "That's Rich."

-Jonathan Rubin, Walnut Hills High School Critic Team

"Jonathan Hester's Jack Kelly was nothing short of a true powerhouse performance. Though the role comes with heavy pressures to live up to its predecessors, Hester's interpretation was sincere and original. He committed to Jack's roguish yet tender spirit and embodied it in detailed mannerisms. This commitment captured the complex nature of Jack's character, including his unrelenting loyalty, tough exterior, and captivating charisma. His depth was only rivaled by his spectacular vocals, characterized by a soaring tonality and remarkable range. Hester's passion for Jack was clear—this manifested as a soulful connection to the show as a whole."

-Caroline Lovelace, Walnut Hills High School Critic Team

"Cana Peters' costume design was both beautifully accurate and symbolic of growth and change within the story. The contrasting blues and reds of the competing groups of characters reflected wonderfully on stage and still remained accurate to the time period. Camryn Martin, Lucy Good, Jonathan Hester, and crew did a wonderful job at promoting this show. Their signs lining the streets and parking lots promoted and captured the exciting energy of the show."

-Roland Hensley, Highlands High School Critic Team

"Overall, Mariemont High School's production of Newsies was empowering and wonderfully entertaining. Their performance had the audience riding the emotional roller coaster along with the cast. The audience was mouthing along with the words of the songs and felt like they were truly participating in the story."

-Carissa Swango, West Clermont High School Critic Team