ROBIN'S SHOW RECOMMENDATION: NEWSical: Full Speed Ahead

No one in the news is safe!

The Drama Desk nominated revue NEWSical is back lampooning current events, headlines, newsmakers, celebrities, and politicians. With songs and material updated on a regular basis, composer-lyricist (Drama Desk Nominated) Rick Crom's topical musical comedy is an ever-evolving mockery of all the news that is fit to spoof. This new edition: Full Spin Ahead! Directed by Mark Waldrop features all new material, and an energetic, versatile cast of four including Christine Pedi, Christina Bianco, Michael West and John Walton West.

These topics and more are given Crom's signature treatment in a highly entertaining 90-minute (no intermission) revue of some of the most talked about topics of the year, including Don't Ask Don't Tell, Oprah's Final Season, Lady Gaga, Bristol Palin, etc.

This show is a delight!  If you need some levity in your life, and who doesn't?!....see NEWSICAL!  Full of wit, the talented cast does an impressive job particularly with celebrity impersonations of PeeWee Herman, Christina Aguilera (botching the Star Spangled Banner), Liza Minelli and Celine Dion.  The political scenarios weren't as much to my personal  liking, but skits, respectively, mocking Arnold Schwarzenegger and Oprah, were clever and riotous. I haven't laughed that much in a long time!

Pedi (Forbidden Broadway, Talk Radio) leads an ensemble that includes Christina Bianco (Drama Desk nominee, Forbidden Broadway), Michael West (Forbidden Broadway, When Pigs Fly) and John Walton West (Drowsy Chaperone national tour, The Producers National Tour).

Crom received two Drama Desk nominations for his work on NEWSical. He appeared on Broadway in Urinetown, Footloose and The Goodbye Girl. Rounding out the creative team are Ed Goldschneider (music director), Jason Courson (set designer), Josh Starr (lighting designer), David Kaley (costume designer) and Scott Delacruz (stage manager). NEWSical the Musical: Full Spin Ahead is produced by Tom D'Angora (Broadway Diva Christmas, Naked Boys Singing!, Divas I've Done) and Elyse Pasquale (Betty Rules).

The show is playing at The Kirk on Theatre Row, 410 West 42nd Street. Tickets may be purchased through Telecharge.com or by calling (212) 279-4200 or (800) 432-7250. For performance schedule and more information, visit http://www.telecharge.com/.  You may also visit http://www.newsicalthemusical.com/.