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| Rusty Ferracane, center, with Cooper Hallstrom, left, and James Gish, right photo by Reg Madison Photography |
by Jennifer Haaland
Acclaimed Valley actor Rusty Ferracane is literally a news maker
in his role as magnate Joseph Pulitzer at Phoenix Theatre. As publisher and editor of New York's World newspaper in the late 1800s, Ferracane's
character twists the plot points through his business decisions about the boys
of New York who sell his papers.... the NEWSIES.
"I really enjoy the power play going on
between these characters, and being able to wrap people around my finger,"
Ferracane chuckled about his character being "a bit on the angry and aggressive
side."
As a Disney musical, first in film (1992) and then on Broadway
(2012), NEWSIES is a heart-throb of a song and dance show. Before the
dawn of child labor laws, Newsies leader Jack and his destitute, often homeless
buddies risk survival when giants like Pulitzer cut their pay. The poor boys' plights provides an emotional swell of converging stories for the musical's plot. Winning Tony
and Drama Desk Awards for both Choreography and Music, the show had legions of local
fans waiting impatiently for a national tour (ASU Gammage 2016) who are now eagerly in line at the Phoenix
Theatre box office.
"I don't know if this Phoenix theatre
community has ever seen this level of skilled dancing coupled with such
amazing, brilliant choreography. It's going to blow people away,"
Ferracane said. "You sit there gasping while your brain is trying to
process, 'Did I really just see what I think I saw?!"
Beyond hummable, the music that accompanies those steps is
unforgettable. Ferracane describes stirring, powerful orchestrations that
"really, really connect with people emotionally."
"There is a moment in 'The World Will Know' when the boys are all trying to drum up some excitement to go on strike. When the orchestra kicks in and that bass is vibrating, it resonates through the whole cast," said Ferracane.
Ferracane believes deeply that even a formulaic
Disney villain can't be just pure, ruthless evil. He finds little in common with the traits of
his Pulitzer character, but is certain any character fails without having a
humanity we recognize and appreciate.
"You can't just play him being mean
because he's mean. There has to be a purpose behind it. And I don't think a lot
of the characters who are the bad guys think they are bad," Ferracane said.
"Pulitzer is just a business guy who thinks he needs to take care of his
company in order to remain in power and take care of his family."
Allowing he might be almost as stubborn as his character seems,
Ferracane noted he's otherwise unable to relate to Pulitzer's influence and
prestige. He added that, contrary to the
script, history suggests Pulitzer himself defended and "fought for the
working man."
"That's one of the best things about
playing a character like this. When I get my wig on--and I've grown this big,
old, massive beard--when I look in the mirror I don't even see me
anymore," said Ferracane. " It's fun to just dissolve into a another
character that is totally different from me."
The whole Newsies story at Phoenix Theatre,
ramped up by the theatrics and music, is a heart-tugging change maker.
Ferracane suggested we resist the likely urge to be hi-jacked by the cast's
superb, overwhelming showmanship.
"Especially today, I think
the plight of the common man coming together to defeat obstacles.... fighting
for what they believe... is really important," Ferracane said. "Don't
let the brilliant dance and amazing music let you forget the powerful message
in the story being told."
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