Extra! Extra! Read about all it! This ground-breaking story features kicks, flips, and a little bit of romance! Platte County’s rendition of the musical “Newsies” has made it all the way to the front page with its amazing performance.
“Newsies” was originally a movie musical written by Bob Tzudiker and Noni White, and released in 1992, and was inspired by the true story of the Newsboys’ Strike of 1899. Although it was initially poorly received, the movie was later adapted into a massively successful Broadway musical with music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Jack Feldman, and a script by Harvey Fierstein. It went on to have massive commercial success, earning eight Tony Award nominations and winning two.
The musical follows the roguish and charming newsboy Jack Kelly and his rebellious gang of Newsies as they form a union to not only fight against the rising price of the newspaper, but also “The World” itself. The Newsies also join forces with the struggling female reporter, Katherine, who assists the group in defending and promoting the strike.
Senior Finley Pennington’s performance as the fearless Jack Kelly brightened up the stage with a perfect flair of charisma and confidence. Pennington’s dedication to maintaining his seemingly authentic New York accent, even while singing, helped to enthrall the audience in the rugged and grimy streets of late 19th-century New York. His ability to balance his character’s tough exterior and his more heartfelt sincerity created a fervent stage presence, which is highlighted in his emotional rendition of “Sante Fe”. Acting alongside him was his co-star, Senior Charlotte Sweet, who played his love interest, Katherine Plumber.
Sweet portrayed the character with an eager and bright personality, embodying her character’s unrelenting ambition. She delivered every one of her scenes with satirical wit and sharp humour that made her a true joy to watch in every single scene. Sweet’s rendition of “Watch What Happens” provided a captivating performance for the audience. But it was the dynamic between Sweet’s character and Pennington’s character that really made the headlines. Their on-screen chemistry created a playful and tender romance that was perfectly wrapped up in the duo’s cinematic and show-stopping duet of “Something to Believe In”.
But no production is truly complete without its supporting cast, of course. Freshman Owen Guess played the character Crutchie with a joyful and innocent hopefulness. Every single scene in which he appeared always managed to light up the stage. As Davey, Junior Jackson Von Glahn’s performance perfectly conveyed his character’s journey from passivity to activism, culminating in the intense and climactic rendition of “Seize the Day”.
Senior Iman Elmi managed to capture the audience’s attention with her marvelous vocals as Medda Larkin, who was beaming with confidence and zeal in every single word in her dazzling performance of “That’s Rich”. The greedy newspaper magnate, Joseph Pullitzer, played by Senior Hansen Karlberg, enriched this already stacked cast, executing his role with the right amount of charm and villainy.
Tucked further into the tabloids was the enthralling set design, immense choreography, and detailed costume design that allowed the audience to dive deeper into the grimy underbelly of 1899 New York. Ranging from energetic tap dances to more thoughtful ballet segments, the choreography always managed to elevate and energize a scene. The crazy amount of kicks, flips, and leaps that were in every song always made sure that the audience would never get bored. The PCHS Theatre Crew all worked together to design, plan, and build a great colossus of a set that was both practical and creative, with multiple intricate levels and floors that the cast could easily interact with. The backstage managed to execute set changes that felt seamless, ensuring that the audience’s immersion was not disturbed. And by dressing each of the performers in appropriate era-style pieces, the costume crew added to that feel of immersion for the audience.
Platte County High School’s production of “Newsies” managed to craft a powerful story that not only emphasized the importance of friendship, but also collectivism. It truly manages to teach us about what it means to “carry the banner of it all”.
