Good Morning! Step One for every two-show day is to become a teen again (aside from the few that actually ARE teens). While some of the boys are lucky enough to have to only perform this ritual every few days, I shave before every performance.
Michael Fatica
My wonderful roommate Sarah Claire Smith knows only too well that I'm not much of a morning person, so she leaves me lipstick notes on a mirror to start off the day. Today's was "You look great"...my morning hair would disagree!
Michael Fatica
New York is a busy city and I think it it's important to balance work and play! I try to start out every weekend two-show day with some delicious brunch, and more importantly, good conversation to feed the soul. Luckily, today I had Julia Harkey for that.
Michael Fatica
Back to the delicious food part of brunch.....these baked eggs don't stand a CHANCE.
Michael Fatica
The view walking across the street to the Nederlander Theatre really never gets old. On this chilly morning, there were some devoted Fansies lined up over an hour before the show!
Michael Fatica
Walking through the lobby, we pass the board that lists if any swings or understudies are on that day. Looks like today I'll be playing Morris Delancey!
Michael Fatica
Every day when we arrive at the theatre, we have to sign in to let Stage Management know we are in the building. Without fail, if you miss this list, you will be subject to public embarrassment by our amazing but incredibly cheeky stage management team :)
Michael Fatica
Regardless of whether I am in the show that day or not, I settle into my dressing room station on the 4th floor. We spend a lot of time there, so we've personalized them to make it feel like home.
Michael Fatica
One of my pre-show rituals is to hug pretty much everybody. This is fellow newsie Evan Kasprzak enduring one of the day's first.
Michael Fatica
We have a lot of sweets at the Nederlander Theatre, which is both a blessing and a curse. Today, we obviously did NOT have the will power to pass them by. I mean, come on, homemade cookies??
Michael Fatica
In honor of this two-show day, our Stage Management team and Associate Choreographer, the illustrious Lou Castro, made me this very supportive sign. I promise I had no hand in them printing that out, but I may or may not have slipped them each a dollar.
Michael Fatica
Fight Call! Every day before the show we run through the fight sequences to ensure everyone's safety. Here, Brendon Stimson and I are getting in the mood to kick some Newsie butt. We actually wear this protective gear under our costumes.
Michael Fatica
Jess Leprotto, who plays Buttons, has one of the most consistent daily warmup routines in the show. To help him out, I almost always ask him inane questions or sing him songs while he finishes his plank series. Today, obviously, was no exception.
Michael Fatica
One of the most frequently asked questions we get is about how we warm up for the show. Everyone has their own routine, but we all have some suggested exercises from our brilliant physical therapists over at PhysioArts!
Michael Fatica
At Newsies, the swings spend a lot of time together and have become my family on and off stage. Here we are having a check-in before the show. Swing brothers for life!
Michael Fatica
Our resident villain John Dossett isn't always all frowns...he walks around the theatre and shakes each person's hand before every show. Tommy Bracco, who plays Spot Conlon, was lucky enough to get a HUG today!
Michael Fatica
Today I crept in behind our daily focus circle on stage right. It's a great way to connect with each other and get centered before the show.
Michael Fatica
Some last minute microphone adjustments by David Guzman, who plays Mush! With all the jumping and turning we have in the show, those babies have to be anchored to our ears.
Michael Fatica
My brother for the day, Brendon, and I are having a Delancey bonding moment by the water cooler. Liana Hunt, who plays Smalls, is trying to cut in, but we Delanceys aren't having it.
Michael Fatica
As one of the smaller boys who plays a Delancey Brother, I have to make up for it in attitude. Corey Cott, who plays Jack, is politely photobombing my prep. Don't worry, you guys, I'll get him back later when I push him around onstage.
Michael Fatica
Can you find the Newsie? Our Adult Male Ensemble, or as we call them, The Oldsies, have adopted this corner as their green room.
Michael Fatica
The Newsies are spending intermission playing Heads Up, a game created by Ellen Degeneres, which is basically charades on an iPhone. They really like to conserve their energy after “Seize the Day.”
Michael Fatica
Before “King of New York,” I stopped in to visit with our brilliant conductor Mark Hummel in his swanky dressing room. He has decorated it to the nines, complete with some bamboo-type flooring. It's absolutely the most luxurious place in the theatre.
Michael Fatica
We are really lucky to have such a supportive following. Here is the view from the stage door after our first show of the day! This area is specifically designed for us to walk through and be able to meet the audience and sign autographs.
Michael Fatica
One of our freakishly talented boys who play Les, Josh Colley, meeting some of today's crowd! No one is more loved at the stage door than these little nuggets, and deservedly so.
Michael Fatica
Food again! (We eat...a lot). Dinner between shows with some of the boys, and a few ladies! Newsie Alum Maddy Trumble and newsie friend Victoria Navarino joined us to carbo-load and relax.
Michael Fatica
Newsies are encouraged to use our physical vocabulary in everyday situations...Tommy is carrying the banner, chicken first.
Michael Fatica
We also found this sour pickle to play with. I'm practicing for when I go on for Racetrack, using this as a healthier alternative to a cigar.
Michael Fatica
These sweet boys found these sweet cupcakes! Careful guys...one more snack...
Michael Fatica
We also stopped for some chocolate on the way back to the theatre, and Tommy found this GIANT COCOA BEAN. That bean is nearly as tall as he is.
Michael Fatica
On a two-show day, our second show should be sponsored by Starbucks. I will admit that I am one of those typical Floridians who will drink iced coffee throughout the entire winter. No shame!
Michael Fatica
We don't really have a green room. Fortunately for the girls ensemble, the boys have adopted their room to fill the gap!! We squeeze at least 4 or 5 guys in there at a time, on their bench they so nicely built for our tushes.
Michael Fatica
One bonus of being a swing in the show is that I have some time to hone my other talents and interests.... one of which is PIN CURLING! Julie sometimes lets me help with her prep.
Michael Fatica
As Dance Captain, one of my responsibilities is to watch the show when I am not on, to make sure that the choreography and intentions of the movement stays crisp and juicy. Tonight, I will be checking from a few different angles.
Michael Fatica
Another spot on John Dossett doing a good deed! On Saturdays, he hands out candy to the tired boys. He really wanted me to capture this moment, but was just too shy to admit it. Kara Lindsay is NOT shy to admit that she really loves candy day!
Michael Fatica
Here are the notes from today! Well, these are the ones I can show to you guys scrolling through playbill.com. Stop being so nosy!
Michael Fatica
That's a wrap! Time to head toward the subway and go home! Thanks for spending a two show day with me and our show's wonderful company!
Michael Fatica
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Disney Theatrical Productions originally developed Newsies, based on the film of the same name, for licensing in response to requests from professional and amateur theatre groups, and Paper Mill Playhouse hosted its four-week pilot production in summer 2011. Audience response to that production prompted a transfer to Broadway for a limited run. Following strong ticket demand and numerous awards, the musical is now playing an open-ended run.
In December 2012 Newsies became the Disney production to turn a profit fastest, doing so in just 41 weeks. Newsies features a Tony Award-winning score with music by eight-time Academy Award winner Alan Menken and lyrics by Jack Feldman, with a book by four-time Tony Award winner Harvey Fierstein. Produced by Disney Theatrical Productions, the musical is directed by Tony nominee Jeff Calhoun and choreographed by Christopher Gattelli, who won a 2012 Tony Award for his work. A cast recording preserves the score.
"Set in New York City at the turn of the century," Newsies, according to press notes, is the "rousing tale of Jack Kelly, a charismatic newsboy and leader of a ragged band of teenaged 'newsies,' who dreams only of a better life far from the hardship of the streets. But when publishing titans Joseph Pulitzer and William Randolph Hearst raise distribution prices at the newsboys' expense, Jack finds a cause to fight for and rallies newsies from across the city to strike for what’s right."
Visit NewsiesTheMusical.com for details.
