By SALINA POST
On Jan. 25 to Jan. 27, Salina Central High School Theatre will present the musical "Newsies!" by Alen Menken and Jack Feldman, based on Harvey Fierstein's book.
Tickets are on sale online and will also be available at performances. Ticket prices for the production are $7 for adults, $5 for students with ZERO credit service charges added to this price if using a credit card online to pre-purchase tickets. Running time is approximately 2 hours, which includes one 15-minute intermission between each act.
This production is being submitted to the Jester Awards at the Music Theatre of Wichita for adjudication.
The production is directed by Barbara Hilt, Central High School Theatre teacher and program director, who is assisted by Bill Weaver, Central High School Technical Director, Music Direction by Ryan Holmquist, Central High School Vocal Music Director and Pit Conduction by Lindsay Modin, Central High School Orchestra Director, and Choreography by Maggie Spicer-Brown of Theatre Salina Center for the Arts Education Instructor. Guillermo Rodriguez, Central High School Band Director, will serve as Sound Designer.
Synopsis of the Musical
Based on the 1992 Disney film Newsies is the tale of newsboy Jack Kelly, who dreams of a better life far from the hardship of the streets. When Joseph Pulitzer and William Randolph Hearst raise distribution prices, Jack finds a cause to fight for and rallies his army of newsies to strike.
“Newsies! is one of my favorite musicals because it inspires such hope in what is possible when the underdogs of a story work together to achieve justice for everyone. Students at Salina Central have been putting their best efforts forward for the four years that I have been the theatre instructor and this show is no exception to the excellence that the community has come to expect from our productions. The music score by Alan Menken (who has written music for many Disney films) is all exciting and catchy tunes that you will be singing on your way out of the theater. When I started at Central four years ago, this was the last musical that I directed at my previous school and it created such a spirit of teamwork that I was excited to direct this production again. All of the staff have worked diligently to produce amazing dances, vocal work, scenery, costumes, and a truly outstanding orchestra. You won’t want to miss Newsies!” said Director Barbara Hilt.
Cast
JACK: Donovan Johnson
KATHERINE: Grace Corman
DAVEY: Wyatt Angell
CRUTCHIE: Zander Flener
LES: Sam Reynolds
PULITZER: Gage Gibson
MEDDA LARKIN: Michelle Simmons
RACETRACK: Andrew Graber
FINCH: Kaiden Comeau
MUSH: Alyssa Maas
JOJO: Mari Brown-Mereles
ALBERT: Bishop Talbott
SPECS: Gabriel Freeland
HENRY: Kort Comeau
ROMEO: Mac Sheforgen
ELMER: Addilyn Jagodzinske
BUTTONS: Katie Morgan
SPLASHER: Brynn Shaft
TOMMY BOY: Ellie Riekhof
MIKE: Mackenzie Martinez
IKE: Rocelyn Show
HANNAH: Anna Kraft
BUNSEN: Marcos Lira
SEITZ: Kaiden Christmann
DARCY: Seth Lepping
BILL: Avery Jeakins
OSCAR DELANCEY: Ben Campbell
MORRIS DELANCEY: Avery Jeakins
WIESEL: Hudson Duff
SNYDER: Will Ebel
NUNZIO: Joseph Zepeda
GUARD: Ben Campbell
SPOT CONLON: Kaiden Comeau
SCABS: Lillie Crow, Anna Kraft, Madison Berndt
NUNS: Lillie Crow, Sarah Day, Madison Berndt
BOWERY BEAUTIES: Brynn Shaft, Mari Brown-Mereles, Katie Morgan, Rocelyn Show, Mackenzie Martinez, Addilyn Jagodzinske
STAGE MANAGER: Alyx Parker
MR. JACOBI: Bill Weaver
WOMAN: Lillie Crow
MAYOR: Joseph Zepeda
GOVERNOR TEDDY ROOSEVELT: Ben Campbell
NEWSIES: Alyxandria Aldrich, Tru Lawson, Lillian LaMarca, Angelica Dao, Daisey McWhorter, Lillian Crow, Ava Weaverling, Aerith Cox, Lexi Foos, Dayzie Frank, Alyx Parker, Avery Jeakins, Sarah Day, Anna Kraft, Seth Lepping, Madison Berndt