The Canajoharie-Fort Plain Summer Drama Club will present the Broadway musical, “Newsies” on July 26th at 27th at the Fort Plain High School.
Based loosely on the newsboys’ strike of 1899, “Newsies” tells the story of Jack Kelly and his gang of struggling newspaper hawkers in New York City, selling copies of the NY World on the streets of Manhattan. When Joe Pulitzer suddenly raises the price that the newsies must pay, Jack galvanizes the other boys and girls to go on strike.
“Newsies” stars Christian Jones of Canajoharie in the role of Jack Kelly. His closest allies are Crutchie, played by Fort Plain’s Keagen Ford, Dacey who is portrayed by Alex Gyurik of Canajoharie, and Les who is played by Faith Clark of Fort Plain. They are joined by fellow newsies: Talia Narzymski, Chad Rogers, Jasmine Lapi, Payton Landry, Dawson Sweet, Michael Palmeri, Sadie Kersey, Nura Handy, Amelia Gallagher, Richard, Catarino, Vivian Nunez, Eliza Cechnicki, and Vienna Jackson.
The newsie chorus features Avery Merchant, Country Hammond, Lilly Lapi, Quinlan Forrest, Caleigh Bartholomew, Aileen Germond, Emery Frew, Brooke Jones, Natashia Hammond, Isis Hammond, Grace McFee, Amelia Hoag, Adeline Handy, Angelina Kersey, and Reanna Germond.
Along the way, Jack and his pals are helped out by their friend and theatre owner Medda (Jillian Rockefeller) and the reporter Katherine Plummer (Sarah Paradiso). They are up against the tough Joseph Pulitzer (Anthony Paradiso) and his office staff played by Jennifer Cechnicki, Kathryn McGowan, and Max Richtmyer. Having fun in the roles of “bad guys” are Kristy McFee (Snyder), Josh Cechnicki (Wiesel), Matt Ford & Michael Broady (The Delancey Brothers) and Matthew Summerfield (Cop). Filling out the remaining roles are Michael Hoffman (Nunzio/Stage Manager), Todd McFee (Mayor) and Mason Rogers (Roosevelt). The show also features guest dancers Samantha Barlow, Nathaniel Diamond, and Hailey Weaver.
The cast of 49 is led by director Lauri Broady and musical director Norma Bowley. Mike Broady serves as the sound director, assisted by Parker Forrest. Catherine Twitchell is the lighting director, with Robbie Rogers on the spotlight. The stage manager is Michael Hoffman, heading a crew consisting of Autumn Dodson and Selena Dumond-Halse.
“Newsies” will be performed at Fort Plain Jr/Sr High School on Friday night, July 26th at 7:00 p.m., with a matinee performance on Saturday, July 27th at 2:00 p.m. Admission is $7 for adults and $5 for seniors/children/students.