To me nothing beats a night out on Broadway. The stage, the scenery, the actors and the bright lights of the city make for an unbelievable experience. But, what if you can’t get to the city? Be it the cost, the distance, or the busy nature of mom life, Broadway adventures are not always doable. Enter the Westchester Broadway Theatre. I recently had the opportunity to visit the theater to see a production of Newsies, and I will tell you, it was all I expected it to be and more.
Dinner and a Show
First of all, dinner and a show in the city can get super pricey, but at the Westchester Broadway Theatre you get dinner with your show! I was surprised by the many options available, each one sounding more delicious than the last. Vegetarian and gluten free options were available as well as a variety of meat, fish, and pasta dishes. Each meal came with a salad and an ice cream desert. Beverages were included, and there was also a full bar for visitors to enjoy! If I’m being honest, as a self-proclaimed foodie, I was prepared to have little positive to say about a dinner theatre’s choices, and boy was I wrong. The prime rib I had was cooked to order and deliciously seasoned. The menu also had options for children, which is a plus for all those moms out there with picky kids (like mine!). Dinner finished with a cup of coffee and desert right before the curtain rose. It was really quite a treat. With matinee and evening show choices (they perform 8 times a week!) you can dine for lunch or dinner depending on your desires.
Showtime!
I’ve seen my fair share of Broadway, but Newsies was one musical that I hadn’t seen before so I entered into the show with an open mind, not knowing much about the story I was soon to see unfold before me. The opening number hooked me and the story that followed kept my interest. The show is based on the 90’s musical movie by Disney of the same title and focuses on the newsboy strike of 1899. The actors each had strong voices to match their acting skills. Daniel Scott Walton starred as Jack Kelly, the leader of the Newsies who swoons over Katherine Plummer, played by Katherine Donahoe. Their stage presence was nothing short of Broadway-worthy with voices that filled the theater and charisma to spare. The scenery was simple but added to the ambiance in just the right way, giving you the feeling of being submersed in turn of the century Manhattan. I enjoyed that the actors took full advantage of the whole theater, often stepping into the audience to sing and even interacting with audience members at various points in the show.
The Logistics
All in all, the night was fantastic. The servers were delightful and made our group feel right at home. The theater was clean and well lit. Parking was free and ample and the theater is located conveniently off the highway in Elmsford. Most importantly, the show left all the theater goers with that happy feeling one should get leaving a musical theater show.
Check It Out
Newsies is running through May 26 and after that there are many great shows on deck. On Your Feet will run from May 30 through August 4 followed by Mambo Italiano, An American In Paris, and It Happened on Christmas Eve. There are also special event nights like comedy shows and musical tribute shows, so there is something for everyone. Tickets for dinner and the show will run in between $59 and $89 depending on performance chosen. Discounts are available for children, students, and seniors! Check out their website for more information! I hope you will go take in a show and enjoy the Broadway experience right in your own backyard!
*Cast photos taken by John Vecchiola