Click on the above image for more photos from "Newsies JR" rehearsals.
October 31, 2024 — Grandview Middle School and Westonka Community Education are proud to present Disney’s “Newsies JR.” on stage at the Westonka Performing Arts Center Nov. 21-24. The show features a total of 85 middle school students performing on stage and working behind the scenes on the crew.
Director Mary Todd Kaecher is excited to have a high school tech crew helping out as well. “It’s really fun to see the high school kids sharing their passion and knowledge,” she said.
Based on events of a true historical event and featuring the now-classic songs "Carrying the Banner," "Seize the Day," and "Santa Fe," “Newsies JR.” is a timeless story full of spirit and heart for all ages to enjoy!
When powerful newspaper publishers raise prices at the newsboys' expense, the charismatic Jack Kelly rallies newsies from across the city to strike against the unfair conditions. Together, the newsies learn that they are stronger united, and create a movement to fight for what's right.
“I'm thrilled with the story, which is based on true events of the news boy and children's strike in NYC in 1899,” said Kaercher. After perusing history sites, finding out what really happened and comparing it to what the writers wanted to say, the story is pretty close, according to Kaercher.
The theater troupe had some rousing discussions about living conditions in 1899. “They love that my grandfather was nine years old at that time, living on a farm in southern Illinois and his brother had his appendix out on the kitchen table,” said Kaercher. “They also worried about bathrooms and toilet paper, but the fact that the kids didn't know if they would eat on any day hit a chord with our actors--especially right after school!”
With that in mind, the actors have chosen Every Meal as this year's charity. This organization packs food for school kids for weekends and breaks. These are kids who, like the characters in 'Newsies,' don't know if they will eat on a given day.
“Newsies JR.” will be presented at the PAC on Nov. 21 and 22 at 7 p.m., and on Nov. 23 and 24 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $13 for adults, $9 for students and seniors, and free for children under 5. Tickets are available online only on the PAC website.
Leading the production along with Kaercher are Melissa Bray as music director, and Jamie Harms as choreographer and tech director.
Kaercher invited the community to come out and enjoy the production. “The show is full of fun, song, dance and, we hope, meaningful and moving moments,” she said.
