Michigan's Very Own in "Newsies"

“Newsies,” one of the most energetic new shows on Broadway, is like the perfect storm. It starts with a big name — Disney — and adds in some more biggies such as music by Alan Menken and a fresh new book by Tony Award-winning actor/writer, Harvey Fierstein.

Based on the New York City newsboys strike of 1899, the story celebrates the nostalgia of newsprint just as 21st century newspapers are undergoing the biggest changes since the invention of the printing press. And the characters’ plucky fight against corporate greed echoes today’s political movement against “the 1 percent.”

But is that enough to garner some recognition when the Tony Award nominations are announced May 1? Grand Rapids native Laurie Veldheer, who’s making her Broadway debut in the show, votes yes.

“I think our show should win everything: Best Musical, Best Score, Best Choreography, all of them,” Veldheer said from her apartment in Manhattan’s Washington Heights neighborhood.

“’Newsies’ strikes a chord with a lot of people. It’s about the underdog rising up, taking a stand. I’m proud to be part of a show that fights for something good.”

Veldheer, 25, portrays Joseph Pulitzer’s secretary, Hannah, as well as various ensemble parts including one of the newsboys in the second act. She said she goes back and forth so quickly between being a newsboy and Hannah, that she wears her newsboy knee pants and argyle socks under her secretary costume in some scenes. She’s also an understudy for the romantic lead, Katherine.

The show is based on a 1992 Disney movie that flopped in theaters but gained an audience on video

A 2004 graduate of Grand Rapids Christian High school, Veldheer cut her acting teeth in Grand Rapids community theater starting at age 9 in a production of “The King and I” at Grand Rapids Civic Theatre. She appeared in such shows as “The Wizard of Oz,” “Into the Woods,” “Diary of Anne Frank,” and won a Grand Award for “Bat Boy.”“People from my generation fell in love with the movie and couldn’t wait for it to become a (stage) musical,” Veldheer said. “It made it cool for guys to dance. I started watching it when I was about 12 and watched it so many times. It was one of the reasons I got into theater.”

“I learned something from every show,” Veldheer said. “I don’t think I would be in musical theater without the Grand Rapids theater community. Because I auditioned for shows at Civic and Circle and Actors’, I’m not afraid of auditions. It’s not a scary thing for me. It’s fun.”

One of her three roommates in New York is a friend from Grand Rapids theater, Johnny Stellard, who’s also appearing in his first Broadway show, “Evita.”

Veldheer took a break from college in 2006 to tour for a year with “Hairspray,” and moved to New York in 2010 after graduating from Penn State University with a degree in musical theatre She was appearing in “My One and Only” at the Goodspeed Theatre in Connecticut when she heard a rumor that “Newsies” might be produced at the Paper Mill Playhouse in New Jersey, where Veldheer had appeared with “Hairspray.” She called her agent and said she definitely wanted to audition.

Last May, she auditioned and was one of six finalists for the leading lady role, which was filled by Kara Lindsay. Veldheer was cast as Hannah, the show’s comic relief. Veldheer created a mousy, New Jersey, Fran Drescher sort of accent that she continues to use in the role today. But as the show developed and changed from Paper Mill to Broadway, the character became less wacky, more smart and realistic, Veldheer said.

Originally, the show was not planned to move to Broadway, and when it did open in March, it was scheduled to close in June. Response has been so good, that the run has been extended until August 19.

“I think they are just trying to be careful in this economy,” Veldheer said.

“Newsies” has Fansies who have come from as far away as Australia and all 50 states to catch the show. Every night is packed houses and standing ovations.

“People can feel the joy and love we all have for this show,” Veldheer said. “I am so lucky to get to work in a play like this. It’s the mark of a great musical — the time just flies by.”


Source: MLive