Cast of ‘Newsies’ welcomes its own brand of fan

PHOTOGRAPHER: Patrick Dodson

Actor Dan DeLuca, who plays the lead male role of Jack Kelly in Disney's off-Broadway production of Newsies, signs autographs outside the stage door at Proctors after a matinee performance on Thursday, October 16, 2014.

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There are fans and there are “fansies.” Emily Gallinger is definitely a fansie.

What’s the difference? A “Newsies” fan is one who simply likes the show and has seen it once or twice. A fansie is someone who has seen the show multiple times, knows the words to every song and dresses like a Newsie.

Gallinger, 13, of Clifton Park, is the perfect example of a fansie. With her “Newsies” cap and bag on, she waited by the stage door at Proctors

after Thursday’s matinee to get autographs from the cast. Today marks the last show of the Disney musical’s run at Proctors.

“It was fantastic! Amazing! I memorized the words to every song,” she said. “I was at a workshop with the cast last week, and they are extremely nice.”

Gallinger’s favorite song from the show is “King of New York.” She said the actors had her “completely mesmerized.” When the cast members exited the stage door, she had them sign her “Newsies” bag and took selfies with nearly all of them.

She wasn’t the only one. There were hundreds of fansies waiting in line for autographs. David DiVergilio, of Hudson, is 57 years older than Gallinger, but he was just as excited about “Newsies” as she was.

“I’m just like a kid, it’s unbelievable,” he said. “I have seen it three times already. I also saw it in New York City many times. I think it’s fantastic, and it’s so energetic.”

His favorite song from the show is “Seize the Day,” because “it can mean a lot of things to different people,” he said. He said the song is inspiring, much like the rest of the “Newsies” performance.

DiVergilio said he is not seeing the show tonight, however, because he is “Newsie-ed out” after already seeing it a handful of times. He said he recommends the show for everyone, and couldn’t imagine anyone not liking it.

The cast of “Newsies” was overwhelmed by the audience’s reaction to the show. They said the clapping and screaming was exhilarating.

“Everyone has been so kind, and the audience was tremendous,” said Stephanie Styles, who plays Katherine. “They were smart, too. They reacted to a lot of the scenes and laughed at all of our jokes. This is the first audience we have had, and it was a great experience.”

“Newsies” launched at Proctors after its time on Broadway in New York City. Schenectady was the cast’s first stop before continuing their tour across the country. Next stop is Waterbury, Connecticut.

“The audience was fantastic,” said Dan DeLuca, who plays the lead role of Jack Kelly. “It was the fans that made this happen. People loved this show. It’s so rare to see such excitement, but here in Schenectady, we got that.”

Aside from the audience, the cast also lauded Proctors.

“The theater is amazing,” Styles said. “Right when we first walked in, our jaws dropped. It’s really incredible.”

Proctors has been gearing up for “Newsies” for months. The theater recently unveiled its new digital marquee, and “Newsies” was the first show to shine in downtown Schenectady.

“The theater is absolutely gorgeous,” said Zachary Sayle, who plays Crutchie. “The marquee is so cool. The audience was great, and the crew was great.”

As part of Thursday’s matinee, after the show theatergoers were invited to sit down and participate in a question-and-answer session with some of the cast members. DeLuca and Sayle answered questions from a crowd of about 300 people.

Several school districts throughout the Capital Region bused students to the show Thursday afternoon. The students, some from the Gloversville Enlarged School District, stood and clapped after the actors answered questions from the audience.

Q. Did you like performing at the theater?

A. The audience has been fantastic. It’s really an honor to be here. The theater is beautiful. (Sayle)

Q. What is your favorite song from “Newsies?”

A. “King of New York” (DeLuca)

“Seize the Day” (Sayle)

Q. What’s the hardest thing about being an actor?

A. You have to learn how to deal with rejection. (Sayle)

Q. Do you like kissing the girl in the show?

A. I get paid to kiss the girl. Yes! That’s a double yes. (DeLuca)

Cast members said they were sad to leave Schenectady but excited to continue their tour in other cities. Even after the tour, DeLuca and Sayle said they will “forever be Newsies.”

“The world will know that we will ‘Seize the Day,’ ” DeLuca said. “Newsies forever!”