Extra! Extra! Read all about it! STARZ Theater Company is bringing “Newsies” to the Shockley-Zalabak Theater, January 24-26 at the ENT Center for the Arts!
Based on the Walt Disney film of the same name, “Newsies” the musical depicts the real-life newsboy strike of 1899 in New York City, anchored by rebellious newsboy Jack Kelly’s dream of starting a life as an artist outside the city.
“It’s epic,” STC Producer Carmen Swank said. “It’s an epic story based on historical events. The newsies strike literally turned the thought process and perspective of an entire generation. Those newsies pointed a light on some of the abuses of young people just trying to help their families and scraping by all too often.”
Likewise, STC hopes to point a light and have an impact through their season, partnering locally with Twain Elementary, a Title 1 school in Colorado Springs, and globally with Exodus Road, a non-profit that works to rescue children from human trafficking. In addition to serving others through these initiatives, internally, STC has worked to build up its students by encouraging them to find their voice, tell their story and carry His banner — not to mention the extensive stage training and experience each student gains through putting on a performance of this magnitude.
“We have never taken on choreography like what you’re going to see in this show,” Swank said. “It’s off the charts what these kids are learning to do, especially some of these tap numbers. ‘King of New York’ is going to blow everyone’s mind.”
A production six months in the making, STC’s rendition of “Newsies” will feature acrobatics, singing, acting, and dance, plus a five-tier, 4,000 pound steel set rigged with hydraulics. Each costume has been custom made to echo the look and feel of the original Broadway version, with Kelly’s signature blue featured alongside counterpart Katherine Plumber’s classic pink ensembles. While each piece of the production gives a nod to the original “Newsies” stage show, STC promises to deliver an “epic” experience all their own.
“I think the Broadway musical had one kid in their whole show, and we’re a student company, which has been awesome and challenging all at once,” Swank said. “The score was written for adult voices. It’s been a leap at times, and we’ve had to really work with our cast and with the score to make it work for our voices, but our kids have really stepped up and risen to the challenge. As far as choreography, technically speaking, we’re comparable to the Broadway show. We’ve studied the show, even though, because of licensing, we can’t use their exact choreography. There are pieces we can pull, but the choreography has to be original.”
“It’s a high-caliber show, and we give a new take on it. It has the same essence, but with our own unique quality. It’s going to be fun. It’s a really fun show.”
With five chances to watch, this production is sure to make headlines! Tickets and information are available at STARZTheater.org.