The Warner Presents Disney's NEWSIES

Stop the presses! The Warner Stage Company will present Disney's NEWSIES on the Main Stage November 3-11, 2018, sponsored by Thomaston Savings Bank. Set in NYC at the turn of the century, this is the rousing tale of Jack Kelly, a charismatic newsboy and leader of a ragged band of teenaged "newsies" who dream of only a better life far from the hardship of the streets. The story is inspired by the real-life "Newsboy Strike of 1899," when newsboy Kid Blink led a band of orphaned newsies on an action against powerful newspaper publishers. High energy and with non-stop thrills, the stage version introduces eight brand-new songs by the original team of Alan Menken and Jack Feldman while keeping many of the beloved songs from the film. The Warner Stage Company production of Disney's NEWSIES is directed by Richard McKenna with music director Jim Luurtsema, choreographer Sharon W. Houk and associate choreographer Caitlin Nolan Beaudry.

The cast features (alphabetically) Naomi Aldrich, William Armstrong, Thaddeus Asheim, Julie Baerney, Peter Bard, Tyler Bard, Mary Cantoni-Johnson, Colin Christie, Michael Christie, Aiden Cincotta, Marc Evan Costanzo, Kathleen Cummings, Jonathan David, Riley Delaney, Zachary Geiger, Brendan Reilly Harris, Holly Havens, Robbie James, Jack Lewis, Conio Lopardo, Doreen Lopez, Doug McCarthy, Jeff McGurk, Cassandra McKenna, Robert Melendez, Colton Morris, L. Nagel, Aubrie Oporto, Louis Oporto, Raelin Oporto, Charlie Pelletier, Colin Quigley, Michael Ramalho, Trevor Rinaldi, Noel Roberge, Michael Ruby, Zachary Taylor, Dick Terhune, Kelly White, Sara Wilson, Jim Wood, Dylan Zawisza.

Performances are November 3, 9 and 10 at 8 pm and November 4 and 11 at 2 pm. Music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Jack Feldman and book by Harvey Fierstein. Based on the Disney film written by Bob Tzudiker and Noni White. NEWSIES is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI).

To purchase tickets, call the Warner Box Office at 860-489-7180 or visit warnertheatre.org.

Built by Warner Brothers Studios and opened in 1931 as a movie palace (1,772 seats), the Warner Theatre was described then as "Connecticut's Most Beautiful Theatre." Damaged extensively in a flood, the Warner was slated for demolition in the early 1980s until the non-profit Northwest Connecticut Association for the Arts (NCAA) was founded and purchased the theatre. The Warner reopened as a performing arts center in 1983, and restoration of the main lobbies and auditorium was completed in November 2002. In 2008, the new 50,000 square foot Carole and Ray Neag Performing Arts Center, which houses a 300 seat Studio Theatre, 200 seat restaurant and expansive school for the arts, was completed. Today, the Warner is in operation year-round with more than 160 performances and 100,000 patrons passing through its doors each season. Over 10,000 students, pre K-adult, participate in arts education programs and classes. Together, with the support of the community, the Warner has raised close to $17 million to revitalize its facilities. NCAA's mission is to preserve the Warner Theatre as an historic landmark, enhance its reputation as a center of artistic excellence and a focal point of community involvement, and satisfy the diverse cultural needs of the region.

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