#person: aisha de haas

[notebookmusical]

oh my god...

[pulsdmedia]

The Week Ahead 10/8-10/14

Spooky season is upon us, and rather have fear of the frights, have all the fall fun! Think Oktoberfest, celeb sightings, indulgent comfort foods, cuffing season opportunities - this is where you'll find it all...

$39 Ticket To FoodieCon: Instagram's Food & Drink Celebration

Another year, another amazing round of the Food Network New York City Wine & Food Festival, a 4-day spectacular of culinary perfection. Discover the latest trends in the food and beverage space and learn tips & tricks on how to level up your content from today’s viral content creators. Enrich your mind, socialize with other foodies, chow down on NYC's buzziest foods, and enjoy refreshing sips during this unforgettable afternoon of food-loving fun...

Reba McEntire Book Launch Event

Legendary entertainer Reba McEntire will take to The Town Hall's stage to speak about her upcoming book and to perform in the historic theater for the first time! Her new book Not That Fancy: Simple Lessons on Living, Loving, Eating, and Dusting Off Your Boots is an enchanting collection of funny, poignant, and deeply personal stories, photos, tips, and recipes.

It's Back! The Long Island Craft Brew Fest

Oktoberfest vibes, autumnal coziness, and endless bubbly brews. It's back! The 2023 Long Island Craft Brew Festival is here, bigger & better than ever. Think 3.5 Hours To Enjoy 150+ Local, National and International Craft Beers, as well as A Selection of Ciders, Live Music, and more! Add in some live music & interactive games, not to mention an array of gourmet eats for purchase, and you're in a flavorful paradise! Don your finest lederhosen, practice your German with a hearty "Prost!" and cheers to the perfect fall Saturday filled with fun & flavor!

Tin Pan Alley Hits of the '20s

Celebrate MCNY's 100th Birthday! Hear a fabulous performance by cabaret star Aisha de Haas (voice) and musical director Robert Lamont (piano). The concert will spotlight stories about the songwriters who were part of the cultural movement that emerged from Tin Pan Alley on 28th Street and spread to stages, bandstands and parlors worldwide!

$49 Tix: 3 Hours Of Unlimited Beers, Live Music, Great Eats & More

Bavaria comes to Brooklyn for the 10th Annual Black Forest Smith Street Oktoberfest Celebration! You and your sippin' squad will savor stein filled with traditional German beers, drool-worthy eats, fabulous festive music, and so much more at this authentic hotspot. Expect 3 Hours of Unlimited Iconic German Oktoberfest Beers, Live Music from a Traditional German Oompah band, access to scrumptious eats (for purchase), fun contests, amazing prizes, and all the happy, boozy vibes!

Mahjong Night with Chop Suey Club

Chop Suey Club and Ace Hotel New York are partnering up to bring you their first first Mahjong Tournament ever! For the Tournament, 64 players will compete against each other to be the first ever Mahjong Night Tournament champion and win a one night free stay at Ace Hotel New York. In between games, cop some mahjong themed merch from the Chop booth or grab a drink.

[lavila27]

Extra! Extra! Newsies explode off your screen! You heard it here.

Yes, this news is really not new at all but it’s my latest musical OBSESSION. I have followed Newsies very briefly from its beginning stages and have finally seen it! More specifically I just saw the recorded version starring Jeremy Jordan, Kara Lindsay, Ben Fankhauser, Andrew Keenan-Bolger, and Tommy Bracco. Sometimes I feel like recorded versions of anything can lack passion and feel like something’s missing but I honestly feel like I could never see this any other way. I’m so thankful that these Original Broadway Cast members decided to come back to reprise their roles. I can’t imagine better fits for these characters.

Okay so for anyone who doesn’t know, Newsies is based on the true story of the 1899 newsboy strike. Newsies went on strike against Joseph Pulitzer to be heard and to seek work fairness. In the musical, Jack Kelly is the main character who dreams of a better life far away from the harsh streets of New York City in beautiful, warm Santa Fe. I truly believe that timing is everything and personally I felt that this musical came into my life right when I needed it to. Anyone can be a dreamer at any point in their life but fighting your current life while simultaneously pleading for a new one is very challenging. The emotions I felt radiating through the screen through the highs and lows of their battle was riveting. I cried, I laughed, I cheered, I felt like I was with them every step of the way.

I want to explore and really shine a light on the amazing production that this is. I saw it 6 times in 4 days and can’t seem to stop thinking about it. First of all, this is a Disney on Broadway show therefore at a whole other level. This is probably the best filmed musical I’ve ever seen. The cinematography is fantastic, every scene beautifully shot, edited seamlessly, and polished to movie perfection. If it wasn’t for the tastefully added audience applause, I would’ve thought that this entire movie just happened to be filmed on a stage. So behind the scenes, the hard work is showcased right in front of you but it doesn’t end there. Perhaps I’m a technical geek but I cannot NOT give credit where it’s so deservedly due. The creative team behind this musical is absolutely incredible.

Let’s begin with the music composed by the legendary Alan Menken. I will always say that this man is a genius and one of the greatest composers of our time. I hadn’t previously heard too many songs from this musical but they are so catchy and dare I say, epic that they have not left my head since the moment I heard them. Just as so many Disney songs that Mr. Menken has stitched into our lives, this song list feels like it’s always been there. There is a fresh but familiar sound to them. They are perfectly suited to the story that it gives me chills each time I hear them. From anthems and fighting marches to victorious dance numbers and breathtaking melodies, each song really captures the emotions of the characters and explodes right into the audience’s hearts. Partnered beautifully of course is the lyrics written by Jack Feldman, quite brilliantly. As much as I really love the entire songbook of Newsies, my favorites are “Santa Fe,” “Carrying the Banner,” “The World Will Know,” “Seize the Day,” “Something to Believe In,” and “Once and for All.” Why? All of these songs have clever, inspiring, moving, and/or are heavy storytelling lyrics. I also appreciate the consistency of the time and location remaining in the songs. The accent and dialect reflect children growing up on the streets of late 19th century New York City. It never ceases to amaze me when music and lyrics weave together so well. Can you imagine how difficult it must have been to come up with “Watch What Happens?” Currently I have the “Santa Fe (Reprise)” on loop because the lyrics are very relatable and give me goosebumps every single time.

Now for what I believe is the true star of the show: the choreography. I honestly don’t think I have ever seen better dancing! The ensemble of men in this show are unbelievable. Combining ballet, tap, gymnastastics, and good ol’ fashioned Broadway flair, the dancing steals the show and makes you want to dance right along with them. These Newsies have so much energy and joy when they dance too! It is no wonder that Newsies won for Best Choreography at the 2012 Tony Awards. Christopher Gattelli’s steps was another element of masterful storytelling. The ripping and dancing on newspapers routine has become a modern icon in Broadway choreography.

As mentioned before, the stars shine in their roles. Jeremy Jordan leads the show with confidence yet vulnerability, showcasing the layers and complexities of an orphan boy becoming a man. I felt where he was scared, angry, sad, infatuated, determined and hopeful. Besides the fact that his acting and singing intermingle so beautifully together, his powerful voice stands out symbolically as his character’s courage. Kara Lindsay brings a fresh take on a leading woman, she’s defiant with playful strength. Katherine wants to be a serious journalist in a man’s world, following a story surrounded by men, and although slightly intimidated by the challenge, is eager to participate along the way. I had previously met Kara, years ago, when she played Laura Ingalls in Little House On the Prairie- the Musical, and she had a similar energy to her. I was delighted to see her hold her own as one of only five women in the whole production.

Unlike the previous two, I had never seen or heard of Ben Fankhauser prior to Newsies. He is fantastic as Davey! He plays boy to man very well too. I think he has the biggest transformation in the story. He begins as newbie and ends as a newsie. Ben has a smooth, practically angelic voice. Davey is smart, brave, and basically the moral compass of the story. I really felt drawn to his journey throughout the story, participating in this strike, being a friend and brother, and becoming a leader. Other standouts include Steve Blanchard playing a charming villain in Pulitzer, Aisha De Haas as Jack’s comforting friend Medda, Ben Cook as the newsie who stands out, Race and Ethan Steiner as the small but fierce force Les.

I can’t say enough about this show. I feel like everything from Harvey Fierstein’s book to the lighting and sets brought together a masterpiece of theater. I congratulate everyone who worked on this project. Unfortunately as of this writing, Newsies is no longer on Netflix but you can find out more about it as well as download it here. I strongly recommend you do so but be warned, you may want to don a cap and start leaping around streets afterward.

[notafraidofstopping876]

Comprehensive list of every cast member of Newsies on Broadway/Newsies on tour that I have seen perform and/or met

*-indicates I saw them perform but did not meet them in person after the show.

Dates indicate first time I saw them perform/met them

All of these were from seeing Newsies on tour between 2014 and 2017 unless otherwise noted.

*Aaron Albano-Allegiance on Broadway, 2016

Aisha de Haas-2015

Alex Prakken-2005 (Pre-Newsies), 2016 (Newsies)

*Andrew Keenan-Bolger-Mary Poppins on Tour, 2009

Andrew Wilson-2014

Andy Richardson-2016

*Angela Grovey-2014

Anthony Norman-2016

*Anthony Rosenthal-2014

Anthony Zas-2015

Becca Peterson-2016

Ben Cook-2014

Beth Stafford Laird-2016

*Bill Bateman-2014

Capathia Jenkins-Concert in Columbia, MO, 2017

Chaz Wolcott-2014

Dan Deluca-2014

Danny Switzer-2016

Danny Quadrino-Wicked on Broadway, 2016

David Guzman-2015

DeMarius Copes-2014

Devin Lewis-2015

Ethan Steiner-2015

Eric Jon Mahulm-2015

Eric Scott Kincaid-2016

*Evan Autio-2015

Evan Kasprzak-2015

*Ginna Claire Mason-2014

Jack Sippel-2014

Jacob Kemp-2015

Jake Lucas-The King and I on Broadway, 2015

James Judy-2014

Jeff Heimbrock-2014

Joey Barreiro-2015

John Michael Pitera-2016

*Jon Brady-2014

Jon Hacker-2014

Jordan Samuels-2014

Josh Assor-2015

Josh Burrage-2014

JP Ferreri-2015

Julian DeGuzman-2014

Kaitlyn Frank-2015

Kevin Carolan-2014

Iain Young-2015

Liana Hunt-Wicked on our, 2015

Luca Padovan-School of Rock on Broadway, 2016

Mark Aldrich-2014

Melissa Steadman Hart-2015

Meredith Inglesby-2014

Michael Gorman-2015

Michael Dameski-2016

Michael Rios-2016

Michael Ryan-2014

Morgan Keene-2015

Nick Masson-2015

Nico DeJesus-2015

*Ryan Breslin-Cats at The Muny in Saint Louis, MO, 2010

Sky Flaherty-2014

Stephanie Styles-2014

Stephen Hernandez-2014

Stephen Michael Langton-2015

Steve Blanchard-2014

Stuart Marland-2016

Stuart Zagnit-Wicked on tour, 2015

Turner Birthsiel-2016

Zachary Sayle-2014