the ocean tried to kill me, i discovered that i am allergic to the sun( if i stay out for more than 2 hours) i lost all of my gameboy/ds games:( and almost had a nervous break down during the Scottish skit i had several huge roles in, but on the bright side, i with the aid of Emmza, Magpie and Mouse, discovered a musical that is now on my list of favorite things.
the little known 1992 Disney musical 'Newsies' wasn't very well received- it was the first live action musical in quiet some time, but it is nonetheless wonderful.
staring Christian Bale, David Moscow, Robert Duvall and Bill Pullman, it tells the story of the 1899 'Newsies( boys who bought papers ( at two for a penny) and the sold them on the streets of New York for a penny)' Strike. It follows the story not only of the strike, but of the kids/teens who led it-( fictional characters begin here) Jack, an orphan who longs to leave new york( and his past) and live in Santa Fe, David the oldest boy in his family, who along with little brother Les, must work to support his family after his father's accident in a factory and subsequent unemployment. the two boys band together to fight when the prices they must pay for the papers go up- as they already barely make it, this tenth of a penny will be the end for them- with Jack as the brawn, face and general leader of the strike, and David as the voice of reason and brains behind Jack.
the movie has some great songs, most of which are currently stuck in my head, the best of which are 'The World Will Know', 'Seize the Day' and 'Once and for All'. it is one of the most inspiring musicals i know of, and being the nut that i am, i make instant connections with les miz.
for example, over the course of the film, we learn that Jack once was arrested( during the film he is 17) for stealing a small amount of food, and attempted escapes from 'the refuge' .
we also lean that his name, Jack Kelly, is an alias for something else( like Valjean's ' M. Madeline)
the song 'the world will know is almost like a cross between les miz's 'do you hear the people sing', and 'red and black'. the opening song, carrying the banner, is similar to 'look down', and in general, just like many mizzie songs, the songs of Newsies( by the man who wrote the songs for beauty and the beast, and the little mermaid) make me want to rise up and sing along, and shake a fist for good measure.
if you haven't seen it, i recommend watching it- it is available on DVD, through net flicks and Amazon.
on this same note, if you enjoyed it, try reading the book 'Uprising' by M. P. Haddix, the story of three very different girls all connected to the Mill workers Strike and later the Mill Fires of 1910- the worst work place disaster in America aside from 9/11.
i leave you with a final quote.
"All it takes is one Voice. that becomes a hundred, and then a thousand, unless it is silenced"-Brian Denton, played by Bill Pullman
Anna Out
1 comment:
Welcome back!
Post a Comment