Since it opened July 7, the Philippine production of Disney’s Tony award-winning musical “Newsies” by Globe Live and 9 Works Theatrical has been generating favorable word-of-mouth.
In his review for InterAksyon, writer Wanggo Gallaga praised director Robbie Guevarra for striking gold with “a musical that truly energizes and brings hope to a chaotic and unfair world.”
“It’s interesting how Disney’s “Newsies” plays so well in this day and age of fake news, rampant social injustice, and major corporations stepping on the common folk,” Gallaga further wrote.
One of the big reasons why the musical inspired by the true events of the “Newsboy Strike of 1899” works is cast member Danielle Chopin. The Filipino-American theater and film actress plays the role of Katherine Plumber, the feisty young reporter who is sympathetic to the cause of the Newsies.
In a recent interview with InterAksyon, Chopin describes her character as “a woman of her time living in a man-driven world.”
Danielle considers herself just plain lucky to land the role of Katherine for “Newsies.” “I just happen to be here at the right time and God is very, very good,” she said.
According to Danielle, she went back to the Philippines to do the international indie film “The Way of the Cross” headlined by Roxanne Barcelo and Rafael Rosell. While she was here, her grandfather passed away last April, which prolonged her stay in the country and ultimately led to “Newsies.”
Coming from a family of entertainers, Danielle has several singing relatives from her father’s side while there are both singers and dancers from her mother’s side.
“I guess you could say it’s inevitable that I would want to pursue a career in the performing arts. I’ve been performing since I was very young, starting with school plays. I caught the acting bug early,” she further shared.
Danielle eventually enrolled in a performing arts school in Los Angeles and was included in the cast of several American productions like “My Fair Lady,” “Into the Woods,” and “Hair.”
Since 2013, she has also been cast in several TV series like “Golden California,” “Hillbrook Gardens” and “Call to Cosplay.”
And yes, there’s a good reason why she sings so well in “Newsies.” Danielle herself is, in fact, a classically trained singer who was also once a member of two rock bands, one of which specialized in punk.
Dancing, however, is something she has not done in a long time until “Newsies” came along.
“That’s when my training started to make a difference,” she said in admitting that dancing was just like riding a bike, so to speak. It’s not something that she really needed to re-learn.
Although Danielle said she plans to go back to America after “Newsies” closes its run this July 30, the effervescent actress said she is very much open to doing more film and theater work here in the Philippines.
“I’m definitely enjoying my ‘Newsies’ experience immensely so yes, I’d like to do more of this here,” she enthused.
As for her increasing number of male fans who were smitten by her mesmerizing performance as Katherine in “Newsies,” Danielle Chopin has a little bit of good news for the guys.
“I am definitely single and happily so at the moment. I’m actually enjoying my time alone, reconnecting with God. I’m not a nun or anything but Jesus is currently my boyfriend. But I am very much open to possibilities,” she declared.
Spoken like a true woman of her time.
Now on its third weekend, “Newsies” will run at the Globe Iconic Store at the Bonifacio High Street Amphitheater in Bonifacio Global City until July 30 at 8PM. For ticket information, visit www.ticketworld.com.ph.