Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to NEWSical, an award-winning lampooning spectacular where no political figure, celebrity, TV commercial or social phenomena is safe. Rick Crom, the lyricist and composer who created NEWSical back in 2002, brings his latest satiric take on current events and modern trends, turning them into a laugh out loud romp though the last twelve months of news with a talented four-person cast. “With war there finally comes justice and an opportunity to redecorate Afghanistan,” they declare enthusiastically in their opening newscast and we know we’re in for a ride.
Hardly any president or nominee, age, political affiliation or race, gets a break from John West’s impersonation gift. Like a chameleon, he keeps changing his skin throughout the show. He dons a pair of oversized plastic ears and becomes Obama to the audience’s surprise. “You think I can’t do this because I’m white?” he waives his finger at the crowd, mastering the president’s way of speaking, hand movements and even the familiar tilt of the head. He assumes a stiff pose while his voice turns into a droid-like monotone and becomes Al Gore. Next, he twiddles his thumbs idly while switching to the Bill Clinton’s drawl, “I’m looking for boobies.” A second later, he’s John McCain giving us a long-winded speech about the fact that age doesn’t matter. Finally, he pulls on a smug smile, snatches a book from the podium and shares some of the notorious wisdom of G.W. “I’m the decider… don’t misunderestimate me. Chapter twelve is about me and the French. I don’t like the French. I find them un-American.” Hilary is not safe either – what John West couldn’t pull, Christine Pedi does with her hilarious number, “I am not running for President.”
We barely get a chance to breath as Bristol Palin (Christina Bianco) whirls onto the stage, declaring, “I’m here to talk to you about abstinence and teenage sex… I got mine so I’m here to make sure you don’t get yours.” She shares more bits of her enlightening wisdom: “My mom and I are writing a book together. It’s called ‘A Nut and a Slut get a Cut.’” And where else, are you going to see Lady Gaga and Liza Minelli, giving an LGBT speech together? “I admire your mother,” Gaga (Christina Bianco) whispers to Liza (Christine Pedi), “I wish she was here today.” Liza shakes her head. “She wouldn’t be, darling. It’s eleven a.m., and she never got up before noon.”
Oprah’s fans enter the stage in deep woe, mourning over their beloved celebrity’s departure. They do a fervent “Don’t Leave me Oprah!” number. Mollified, Oprah (Christine’s Pedi) appears to calm her depressed fans. “I’m going to have my own network!” she tells them. “And, I am going to have my own country! And it’s going to be called Oprahoma! And in Oprahoma, every one of you is going to get a key to his own city!”
Those who haven’t yet discovered the joy of sexting, learn how to enjoy themselves in the brave new wireless world. “Flashers don’t have to leave the house, they just dial and send,” John West educates us about the hot trend. “Hopefully in person it’s bigger than on the little screen!”
Late night TV commercials get their share. “Right sleeve, left sleeve,” Michael West utters with admiration as he pulls on his groundbreaking new blanket that looks more like a surgeon’s gown that buttons up the back. Or, in Rick Crom’s words, like “a bathrobe that lets your ass hang out.” What’s more even fictional characters fall victims to Rick Crom’s biting wit, when Michael West magically transforms himself into a badly aged Harry Potter, bitter about the glory days gone by. Sad and drunk, he keeps repeating his melancholy mantra, over and over, “but my wand doesn’t work anymore!”
Nominated for two Drama Desk Awards, Best Revue and Best Lyrics, NEWSical has been an ever-changing show since its 2002 debut. “New songs get written all the time,” says the producer, Tom D’Agora, explaining how the team works on keeping Newsical in stride with current events. “It is very much an evolving production.”
Photos by Kevin Thomas Garcia, from top:
Felt Up at the Airport
John Walton West, Christina Bianco, Christine Pedi
Liza and Lady Gaga
Christine Pedi and Christina Bianco
Sexting
Christina Bianco, Michael West
Crazy Jet Blue Flight Attendant
Michael West
NEWSical: Full Spin Ahead
The Kirk at Theatre Row
410 West 42nd Street
www.newsicalthemusical.net
