Extra! Extra! The Media Theatre Presents NEWSIES This Spring

Disney's "Newsies" has a Delaware County premiere on The Media Theatre stage April 18 through June 10. The Media Theatre (Jesse Cline, Artistic Director) is a professional music theatre located at 104 East State Street in Media, with free parking after 5pm every weekday and on weekends, and in close proximity to award winning restaurants.

Based on the 1992 motion picture, "Newsies" features a score by eight-time Academy Award winner Alan Menken (Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, Sister Act) and Jack Feldman and a book by four-time Tony Award winner Harvey Fierstein (La Cage aux Folles, Torch Song Trilogy).

While on Broadway, "Newsies" received 23 major theatrical nominations - including eight Tony Award nods - and won Tony, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Awards for Score and Choreography.

Set in New York City at the turn of the century, "Newsies" is the rousing tale of Jack Kelly, a charismatic newsboy and leader of a ragged band of teenaged 'newsies', who dreams only of a better life far from the hardship of the streets. But when publishing titans Joseph Pulitzer and William Randolph Hearst raise distribution prices at the newsboys' expense, Jack finds a cause to fight for and rallies newsies from across the city to strike for what's right.

"Newsies" is inspired by the real-life Newsboy Strike of 1899, when newsboy Kid Blink led a band of orphan and runaway newsies on a two-week-long action against Pulitzer, Hearst and other powerful newspaper publishers.

Timely and fresh, the fictionalized adaptation of "Newsies" addresses age-old themes of social injustice, exploitative labor practices and David-versus-Goliath struggles as the young learn to harness their power against a corrupt establishment. High-energy with non-stop thrills, the stage version introduces eight brand-new songs by the original team of Menken and Feldman while keeping many of the beloved songs from the film, including "Carrying the Banner," "Seize the Day," "King of New York" and "Santa Fe."

The show is directed and choreographed by Geoffrey Goldberg, who recently directed the critically acclaimed "Next To Normal" at The Media Theatre as well as "Billy Elliot" three seasons back. Ben Kapilow music directs, and also accompanies the live orchestra.

"Newsies" has Jeff Sundheim as Jack Kelly. Sundheim was seen off-Broadway in "The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe", and has been in regional productions of "Dogfight", "Peter and the Starcatcher", "Tarzan", and "Evita". He makes his Media Theatre debut with "Newsies".

Others in the cast are Megan McDevitt as Katherine, Tony Clements as Davey, Christopher Infantino as Crutchie, Ryane Nicole Studivant as Medda, Julia DeGruchy as Hannah, and Kelly Briggs as Pulitzer. The role of Les is double cast and will be shared by two Media Theatre students: Zachary Amos and Aidan Crane.

The Newsies, who do triple duty as dancers, singers, and actors, are: Joshua Bellamy, Gunar Daniels, Zachary Debevec, Ronnie Keller, Ryan Lauer, Dakota Mullins, Marc Andrew Nunez, Christian Ryan, Xavier Brian Townsend.Others in the cast are Megan McDevitt as Katherine, Tony Clements as Davey, Christopher Infantino as Crutchie, Ryane Nicole Studivant as Medda, Julia DeGruchy as Hannah, and Kelly Briggs as Pulitzer. The role of Les is double cast and will be shared by two Media Theatre students: Zachary Amos and Aidan Crane.

Five actors portray more than one role in the fast-paced production. They are JP Dunphy, Rusty Flounders, Chris Kovaks, Roger Ricker, and AJ Whittenberger.

The Delancey Brothers are played by Steve Chisholm and Norman Wells. The Bowery Beauties are Lauren Bristow and Anna Ferrigno, who are also in the Ensemble.

For tickets to Disney's "Newsies" at The Media Theatre, call 610-891-0100 or visit mediatheatre.org. It's on stage April 18 through June 10. Group rates available.

There are several 10am performances for school student groups. All evening performances (Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat) are at 7pm for family audiences. Matinees are Wednesdays at 2pm, Saturdays at 2pm, and Sundays at 3pm.

Pictured: Jeff Sundheim, who makes his Media Theatre debut as Jack Kelly in Disney's "Newsies" April 18 to June 10.

 

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