Members of the “Newsies” cast are ready to entertain.
Photo: Lesly Hall
‘Newsies’ Opens at Revere This Friday
Paul Revere students will perform the musical “Newsies,” beginning at 7 p.m. on Friday, April 26. Additional shows are on April 27 at 2 and 7 p.m. and April 28 at 2 p.m., at the Paul Revere Middle School auditorium, 1450 Allenford Ave.
“Newsies” was originally a 1992 musical comedy-drama film produced by Walt Disney. The movie was loosely based on the New York City newsboys strike of 1899, and starred Christian Bale, Bill Pullman, Robert Duvall and Ann-Margret. Although the film was not initially a hit, it was later adapted into a stage production that was nominated for eight Tony Awards, winning two.
The play is about boys who are newspaper hawkers in New York City. Joseph Pulitzer, in an effort to outdo his business rival William Randolph Hearst, raises the prices that “newsies” must pay to buy newspapers from his distribution centers.
The boys try to go on strike and are arrested. A newspaper reporter, Denton, puts their story on the front page. But before Denton can do any follow-up stories he is reassigned as a war correspondent.
Pulitzer sees one of the newsies, Jack Kelly, and offers to pay him a salary if he will work as a strikebreaker. Kelly is forced into agreeing, but the next day when the boy sees an injustice, he does the right thing by taking on Pulitzer and making sure the news of child labor and the mistreatment of children is exposed.
Interestingly, the auditions for this play were held in January when LAUSD teachers were on strike. Rehearsals took place during the International Youth Strike against Global Warming.
Lara Ganz, who is well known for her Theatre Palisades Youth productions, directs the play. Adelynn Mejia is the musical director and Ganz and Rene Rodman are the producers. Members of the cast received special vocal training from L.A. Master Chorale’s Harriet Fraser.
Parent Diana Daniele wrote, “It is a grassroots production that we want the Palisades community to see and enjoy!!”
Student tickets are $10 and general admission is $15. VIP tickets (first through fourth rows) are $25. Tickets may be purchased at NewsiesPep.BrownPapertickets.com.
Thank you for shining your Circling the News light, Sue. You nailed it!!