Fresh off the presses! Newsies: The Musical tells the story of scrappy newspaper-selling New York youths unionizing against corruption and injustice. When the New York World’s president, the villainous Joseph Pulitzer (Roy Crosbie), increases the newspaper's price, the newsies go on strike, led by the cocky and charismatic Jack Kelly (Mac Jones). With the help of the book-smart Davey (Adrian Schilling) and the up-and-coming reporter Katherine (Aurora Gibney-Krashen), the newsies embark on a mission to challenge the businessmen Goliaths.
Although the rousing song-and-dance numbers may not suggest it, Newsies is based on the true story of the newsboys' strike of 1899. These newspaper sellers were primarily children, typically orphans and homeless, and although they played an essential role in the spread of information, they were underpaid and looked down upon. The newsboys’ strike was one of many important steps in the fight for improved labor conditions during their era.
A team of over 50 student cast members, technical crew members, and pit orchestra musicians from both the middle and high school have come together to tell the story of Newsies under the direction of Tova Halpern and Jessica Stanislawczyk. Assistant director and dramaturg Amir-Gabriel Gad, technical director Luke Ferrell, vocal director Mrs. Nicole Hodge, and orchestra director Mr. Keith Presty have also put their all into turning their students’ passion into a performance they can share with the school and surrounding community. Since the beginning of February, this team of students and teaching artists have spent hours meshing acting, dancing, music, set pieces, and other technical elements to transport Highland Park to Manhattan at the turn of the 20th century.
With the spring musical being the last production of the year, seniors are left reflecting on their experiences. Says senior Jeffery Salone, “Though it’s incredibly bittersweet, it’s been so special sharing my last show with the cast.” The messages of endurance and ambition of Newsies unify the cast. As Salone puts it, “To come together for such a good cause really brings us together as a group, and it’s something that I’m going to remember for so long.”
Newsies is appropriate for audiences ages 8+. Tickets are available online at hpdrama.net for May 5 and 6 at 7:00 pm and May 7 at 5:00 pm.