Kelsey Theatre Jumps into NEWSIES This September

The stage is set for a David-versus-Goliath battle as the curtain goes up on a new season at Mercer County Community College's (MCCC's) Kelsey Theatre with "Disney's Newsies The Musical." The award-winning PinnWorth Productions presents this blockbuster musical Thursdays, Sept. 6 and 13 at 7:30 p.m.; Fridays, Sept. 7 and 14 at 8 p.m.; Saturdays, Sept. 8 and 15 at 8 p.m.; and Sundays, Sept. 9 and 16 at 2 p.m. Kelsey Theatre is located on the college's West Windsor Campus, 1200 Old Trenton Road. A reception with the cast and crew follows the Thursday and Friday night performances on Sept. 6 and 7.

Inspired by the real life New York City Newsboys Strike of 1899, young Jack Kelly and his band of newsboys are making a meager living selling newspapers on the streets. When publishing mogul Joseph Pulitzer decides to increase the price of the papers, his newsboys are going to feel a pinch they simply cannot afford. They decide to take action by forming a union and going on strike. Add fledgling reporter Katherine Plummer and the boys' brave stand against injustice lands on the front pages. Hope and change are in the air.

Based on a funny, poignant book by Harvey Fierstein, the show features stunning music by Alan Menken and Jack Feldman. It premiered at New Jersey's Paper Mill Playhouse in 2011 and made its Broadway debut in 2012, where it played for more than 1,000 performances. Family audiences will rally behind this ebullient, idealistic band of brothers in a spirited musical featuring such high energy numbers as "Carrying the Banner," "Seize the Day" and "King of New York."

cast stars Rob Ryan of Gladstone as Jack Kelly; Bridget Hughes of Jackson as Katherine Plumber; Sean Dickinson of Jackson as Davey Jacobs; Ted Braun of West Windsor as Crutchie; Camryn Burniston of Parin as Les Jacobs; Peter Sauer of Yardley, Pa., as Joseph Pulitzer; and Mimi B. Francis of North Brunswick as Medda Larkin.

The main "newsies" include Nick Buonvicino of Green Brook, Ricky Francese of Somerset, Rashawn Garrett of Willingboro, Charlie Gormley of Morrisville, Pa., Jake Hamstra of Bayville, Adam Juraga of Morrisville, Pa., Nicholas Kianka of Hamilton, Matthew Krauss of Yardley, Pa., Ethan Lipper of Millstone, Jacob Long of Haddon Heights, Diego Montealegre of Lawrenceville, Michael Mottram of Cream Ridge, Julia Ruth Patella of Cranbury, Matthew Robertson of Yardley, Pa., Matthew Snyder of Levittown, Pa., Faith Stack of Allentown, Lauren Barkman of Richboro, Pa., Abby Harnum of Bordentown, and Haley Schmalbach of Palmyra. Featured in the adult ensemble are Jeff Dworkin of Langhorne, Pa., Ken Marblestone of Langhorne, Pa., Jim Morris of Plainsboro, Todd Roman of Fords, Christopher Schmalbach of Palmyra and Joe Zedeny of East Windsor. Other ensemble members include Nic Fallacaro of Yardley, Pa., Bridget Godfrey of Old Bridge, Joshua Goldhammer of Plainsboro, Zamir Gorden of Lawrenceville, Charlotte Gougher pf Newtown, Pa., James LeGette of Levittown, Pa., Jeff Rosenthal of Dayton, and Zakir Zaidi of Princeton.

The production team includes Producer/Director LouJ Stalsworth; Co-Producer and Set/Costume Designer Kate Pinner; Co-Director/Choreographer Koren Zander; Music Director François Suhr; Company Production Manager and Light Designer Robert Terrano, Sound Designer Evan Paine, Stage Manager Dennis Tolentino and Assistant Stage Manager Reilly Bowe. Properties are by Sue Galli.

Tickets are $20 for all and may be purchased online at www.kelseytheatre.net or by calling the Kelsey Box Office at 609-570-3333. Kelsey Theatre is wheelchair accessible, with free parking next to the theater.

Discounted subscription series for the 2018-19 season are still on sale. For a complete listing of adult and children's events, visit the Kelsey website or call the box office for a brochure.

Photo by Robert Terrano

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