When Joseph Pulitzer decides to increase the bottom line of his New York World newspapers on the backs of the young newsies hawking his papers on the street by jacking up the costs to said newsies, they respond with some jacking of their own via Jack Kelly. He leads them on a strike. Or as supportive journalist Katherine Plumber puts it, "Newsies Stop the World."
The Franke Center Youth Theater & Marshall High School collaborate on this big production, and the cast sells it with high energy and talent. Ryan Murphy leads the fight as Jack Kelly with charisma and, when things seem bleak, a heartfelt Santa Fe. Elliana Ebner is sharp and fun as Katherine Plumber, delivering as she inspires with Watch What Happens. Natalie Traynor as Medda Larkin brings down her vaudeville house with charming personality and terrific vocals in That's Rich. Paul Butterfield makes for a sincere, pragmatic-to-a-point-but-idealistic-in-the-end Davey who has to earn money to help his family, joined by the bright-eyed and plucky Alaina Dysinger as little brother Les. Determined to take the upstarts down is Andrew Root with a no-nonsense, no-compassion Joseph Pulitzer along with the amusing secretary Caetlin Finegan and the rest of his happily conspiring corporate advisers of Brady Anthony, Makayla Bailey and Jack Marsh.
And, of course, there are all the newsies led by the likes of the cool and confident cigar-smoking Remee Morse as Race, Spencer Oswald as a determined Crutchie, and dynamo Ciara Funk as Spot Conlon. The strong ensemble are always into their roles and dancing up a storm to the terrific choreography by Tricia Hilton, making the most of group numbers like Seize the Day, The World Will Know, and especially King of New York.
Costume Designers Jennifer Butterfield and Shelia Stafford put together great period costumes with special mention for Medda's wardrobe. The show also features an impressive live orchestra. Director Jennifer Conley Darling along with her team and cast have combined for a rousing and uplifting production demanding everyone watch what happens with the new generation.
Rob Hopper, Marshall Arts
Photos by Jeff Wilson, Marshall Event Photography
Jack Kelly: Ryan Murphy
Crutchie: Spencer Oswald
Davey: Paul Butterfield
Les: Alaina Dysinger
Katherine Plumber: Elliana Ebner
Medda Larkin: Natalie Traynor
Joseph Pulitzer: Andrew Root
Race: Remee Morse
Albert: Whitney Ivey
Henry: Hallie Machalka
Finch: Lucy Gensch
Specs: Audrey Amting
Romeo: Frank Giesen
Elmer: Eliza MacQuaig
Mush: Mollie Weaver
Tommy Boy: Alaina Stafford
Jo Jo: Kaya Oswald
Buttons: Luke Bierbaum
Ike: Anna Vincent
Mike: Alivia Parham
Spot Conlon/Newsie: Ciara Funk
Splasher/Scab 3: Julian Fowler
Scab 1: Violet Holbrook
Scab 2: Ollie Bladen
Newsies Dancers: Audrey Amting, Adrienne Dysinger, Aubrey Dysinger, Addyson Groeneveld, Annabelle Davis, Mary Claire Davis, Hallie Machalka, Brooklyn Schoch, Aubrey Tarkiewicz, Angelina Warner
Wiesel/Stage Manager: Jack Tekiele
Oscar Delancey: Chance Hamilton
Morris Delancey: Shane Klepper
Jacobi/Mayor: Hannah Eggleton
Snyder: Lilly Bladen
Seitz: Brady Anthony
Bunsen: Makayla Bailey
Hannah: Caetlin Finegan
Nunzio/Roosevelt: Jack Marsh
Nuns: Ollie Bladen, Caetlin Finegan, Evelyn Fowler, Lucy Giesen, Hayden Heikkila, Elizabeth London, Margaret Rodgers, Leia Young
Bowery Beauties: Hayden Heikkila, Elizabeth London, Margaret Rodgers, Leia Young
Customers: Cristian Brown, Evelyn Fowler, Hayden Heikkila
Darcy: Charlie West
Bill: Christian Brown
Guards: Betty Giesen, DeDe Weaver
Goons: Cristian Brown, Faye Grupke, Jack Marsh, June Tarmnel
Policemen: Betty Giesen, James Muir, DeDe Weaver, Charlie West, Ava Wirth
Newsies Ensemble: Lilly Bladen, Charlotte Bowman, Christian Brown, Ava Buczynski, Hannah Eggleton, Nery Figuerredo, Ashlyn Finegan, Evelyn Fowler, Betty Giesen, Violet Groenveld, Faye Grupke, Chance Hamilton, Dean Haroff, Lillia Huggett, Leah Kendall, Monika Kirby, Ian Klepper, Shane Klepper, Cora Lazarus, Amelia Lighthall, Elizabeth London, Destiny Mains, Jack Marsh, James Muir, Ellie Pfiester, Elena Reed, Cecilia Rodgers, Margaret Rodgers, Elliott Root, Braden Russcher, Maeve Shockey, Claire Swender, June Tarmnel, Jack Tekiele, Kaylin Wagaman, DeDe Weaver, Charlie West, Jaxon Whitmore, Ava Wirth, Leia Young, Cooper Zirkel
Director: Jennifer Conley Darling
Music Directors: Meagan Ransom, Jeremy Root, Stacy Root
Choreographer: Tricia Hilton
Producer: Allison Ebner
Orchestra Director & Production Coordinator: Meagan Ransom
Costume Designers: Jennifer Butterfield, Shelia Stafford
Light Design: Bethany Wendt
Sound Engineer: Steve Serra
Props Master: Wendy Gensch
Stage Manager: Kristin Holbrook
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