Newsies Closing

Newsies closed last night at Theatre Under the Stars here in Vancouver. From the Pit Podcast host Christopher King, music directed the show and had a small cameo as the Mayor of New York in the second act. The show was a great success for the company and the cast and crew were exceptional. Chris took a live video of himself playing and contacting “The World Will Know” so here it is for your enjoyment…

DIRECTOR/CHOREOGRAPHER
Julie Tomaino*

MUSIC DIRECTOR
Christopher King

SET DESIGNER
Francesca Albertazzi

COSTUME DESIGNER
Christina Sinosich

LIGHTING DESIGNER
Robert Sondergaard

SOUND DESIGNER
Brad Danyluk

PROPERTIES DESIGNER
Heidi Wilkinson

STAGE MANAGER
Collette Berg*

CAST
Adam Charles - Jack*
Julia Ullrich - Katherine
Jovanni Sy - Pulitzer*
Robyn Wong - Medda*
Cole Smuland - Crutchie
Daniel Curalli - Davey
Jordyn Bennett - Les
Chris Coulter - Snyder
- Mayor/Nunzio
James T. Walker - Wiesel/Jacobi/Roosevelt
Jake Tallon - Seitz
David Lees - Bunsen
Claire Stewart - Hannah
David Anderson - Oscar Delancey
Matthew Paynter - Morris Delancey

CAST - ENSEMBLE
Haley Allen
Daniel Cardoso
Theresa Cotton
Astrid Eckerle
Jordan Field
Colton Fyfe
Tiffany Hunter
Caleb Lagayan
Vincent Keats
Sebastian Issighos
Graeme Kitagawa
Kyra Leroux
Joaquin Little
Caitlin McMaster
Julia MacLean
Nathan Piasecki
Ali Powell
Makena Zimmerman

MUSICIANS
Chris King - Keyboard 1
Arielle Ballance - Keyboard 2
Monica Sumulong - Bass
Peter Serravalle - Guitar
Colin Parker - Drums
Will Friesen - Percussion
Kevin Woo - Reeds
Lindsay Goldberg - Trumpet
Jackson Howard - Trombone
Gemma Donn - Violin
Angus Lam - Cello

(2.04) Julie Tomaino

Another on location interview in Malkin Bowl in beautiful Stanley Park. Chris talks to director/choreographer Julie Tomaino about Newsies, her thoughts on direction and about her life changing stroke. Chris and Julie are just about to open Theatre Under the Stars’ production of Disney’s Newsies!

*Win 2 tickets to Theatre Under the Stars by answering the question below! You must listen to the episode to answer the question.

Contest ends - Monday July 15th 11:59pm. Winners will be contacted by email.

Julie is a director, an award-winning choreographer, and an educator. She had an extensive performing career for over ten years in New York City, most notably dancing as a Radio City Rockette for six seasons, and is now based in Toronto and works across Canada. She’s worked with most of the major theatre companies across Canada and the US, some favourites include The Citadel, Theatre Calgary, The Finger Lakes Musical Theatre Festival, The Arts Club, WCT, The Globe, Persephone Theatre, Cortland Rep, Chemainus Theatre, and at The Capitol Theatre in Port Hope. Julie occasionally choreographs for film and TV, most recently working with Idina Menzel on the BEACHES remake. She loves working with college aged students, and has taught or been on faculty at AMDA NYC, Sheridan College, Randolph Academy, Nazareth College, Broadway Dance Center, George Brown College, and Capilano University. Find out more at julietomaino.com.

Julie Tomaino & Host Christopher King

On location at Theatre Under the Stars - Malkin Bowl, Stanley Park.

(2.01) Robert McQueen

Robert McQueen joins us for a lively discussion about Musical Theatre on our first episode of the second season. We talk all about big shows, little shows, how he approaches work, and what is upcoming for him.  Join us on From The Pit, as we talk to this fantastic director while in Malkin Bowl in lovely Stanley Park, on the eve of the opening of 42nd Street at Theatre Under the Stars in Vancouver. 

The last 15 minutes of my interview with Director Robert McQueen. Recorded at Theatre Under the Stars.

(1.04) Musicals in the Media - Ryan Mooney

Musicals in their current form have been around almost 100 years now, but I still hear people refer to musicals as cheesy, fluffy, always happy. You hear talk of jazz hands in conversation as if it was the single defining dance step. Some actors talk of musical theatre as if it was the illegitimate son of the theatre world.

Let's face it... Musicals get a bad rap…But why? 

On this episode Ryan and I will discuss the status of Musical Theatre in the media and the general public.  Join us From the Pit.

(1.03) Directing - Sarah Rodgers

Musicals are a big undertaking. Big budgets, big casts. So directing a musical must be an equally big task, right?

Where do you start? What do you need to do in order to make sure the show is a success? Are they the same as directing a play?

On today's episode we talk with Sarah Rodgers, one of Vancouver's busiest and most sought-after directors. We ask her about her process, her directing philosophy, and much more on From the Pit.

(1.01) Overtures - Steven Greenfield

Once a required mainstay of Musical Theatre shows, they aren't as common now, but show still use them. 

On today's episode… our first show.  We discuss the overture.  Will it survive much longer, should it continue, does it still have meaning and purpose? 

My guest and I will discuss this and more about Musical Theatre along the way.

Episode Credits