The cast of Disney’s “Newsies” put on an amazing performance from February 23-25. From the singing and dancing, to the lighting and sets, the crowd was stunned. This Disney musical followed the true story of an 1899 strike completed by the newsboys in New York.
Junior Cole Stumpenhorst delivered a show-stopping performance as lead “Jack Kelly” with his personal favorite song in the musical, “Santa Fe.” Stumpenhorst “loved singing with passion” and watching the “priceless” reactions of the audience.
Alongside Stumpenhorst was sophomore Gavin Fischer playing the role of “Crutchie,” Jack’s optimistic best friend with a bum leg. Fischer brought a lot of humor and excitement to the show with his silly remarks and powerful voice.
Junior Cory McGowan played the news reporter “Katherine Plumber,” who helps bring publicity to the Newsies strike and falls in love with Jack. This was McGowan’s first show as an S.H.S. student, though she has been doing theater for seven years.
The role of publisher “Joseph Pulitzer” was executed flawlessly by senior Mitchell Prevo. Pulitzer’s character was portrayed as a no-nonsense businessman who disregards the Newsies for his own benefit. Prevo reflected on the “privilege to get to work with people just as passionate about music and theater as [him], saying it made the show that much more enjoyable.
This show was different in many different ways, but what stood out is the addition of middle schoolers. Stumpenhorst also “felt the cast was much more connected bringing much more emotion to the show.” Alongside this, McGowan loved how “everyone worked super hard to bring their characters to life” and said that their “passion for performance” is what set them apart from others.
Prevo was most impressed by assistant director Ellen Johnson. Director Tim Schlegel was not able to attend the Saturday or Sunday performances, but she was able to “step in and keep [the cast] in line.” If not for Johnson, the production “would not have been near as good as it was.”
This show was filled with action, comedy and romance that left the audience stunned. Every single member of the cast put in extra effort for an amazing performance.
