Milan Middle Schoolers Create Their Own Headlines With Newsies Jr

Milan Middle School presented Disney’s Newsies Jr through April 26^th in the Dennis McComb Performing Arts Center at Milan High School. Newsies made its Broadway debut in March 2012 and played for 1,004 performances. The script was written by Harvey Fierstein, music by Alan Menken and lyrics by Jack Feldman.

The show was directed and produced by Julz A. Meray. Music direction by Melissa Angstadt and choreography by Peter Kentes. The set design was also by Meray and costumes were designed by Adeline Wiard.

Newsies had a cast of forty-six 5^th – 8^th grade students, with over twenty being on stage for the first time. Theatre has always been known as inclusive, where all students can find where they fit in. That was certainly true in this production. Milan Middle School prides itself on putting their emphasis on teaching the basics of acting, singing and dancing, creating opportunities for all students to share in helping to tell the story.

The script in Newsies provides kids with individual speaking and singing lines. The production did have moments when kids with speaking/singing lines could not be heard but these miscues were quickly corrected. The five lead roles were portrayed by a 6^th grader, two 7^th and two 8^th graders. Caitlin Warren excelled as Crutchie, hobbling around the stage using a crutch. And true to character, when walking, she always limped with her crutch.

(L-R) Abby Bookout as Jack and Caitlin Warren as Crutchie. Photo by Steven Sheldon.

Joseph Pulitzer was played by 8^th grader Elise Angstadt. She had a commanding presence, exuding the dominance and arrogance of the newspaper tycoon Pulitzer. Newsies is loosely based upon the 1899 strike by New York Newsboys. 8^th grader Lillian Rose played Medda Larkin, who combined with the Bowery Brigade, thrilled the audience with the sizzling song/dance number “Just a Pretty Face.”

(Standing) Eise Angstadt as Joseph Pultizer and cast. Photo by Steven Sheldon.

Lillian Rose (in red dress) as Medda Larkin and the Bowery Brigade in the number Just A Pretty Face. Photo by Steven Sheldon.

It was the performance of two 7^th grade students who shined in their roles. Abby Bookout, playing Jack Kelly, and Ave Barnett as Katherine, sing two of the more iconic Newsies’ songs. Every show includes numbers that everyone knows and has come to hear. And as these performers sang them, it was clear to everyone listening, they had hit a home run with their performance.

(L-R) Abby Bookout (Jack) and Ave Barnett as Katherine. Photo by Steven Sheldon.

Barnett, standing alone on stage, in the spotlight, sang “Watch What Happens” with emotion and intensity, hitting every note perfectly. It was breathtaking.

Ave Barnett as Katherine singing “Watch What Happens”. Photo courtesy of Milan Middle School.

Then the ensemble sings “Seize The Day”, leaving Bookout’s Kelly alone on stage. She sings everyone’s favorite song, “Santa Fe”. Bookout, feeling confused about the changing world, brings the curtain down on Act I with an intense, emotional Santa Fe, with the crowd roaring their approval.

Abby Bookout as Jack singing “Santa Fe”. Photo by Steven Sheldon.

From both students, it was a stunning moment.

Act II opens with a big dance number “King of New York”, with the ensemble filling the stage in a sea of motion.

Crutchie sings a letter to Jack about being in the Refuge, NYC’s version of an 1890’s “juvie”.

Caitlin Warren as Crutchie singing The Letter to Jack. Photo by Steven Sheldon.

There are moments in everyone’s life when they are confronted with having to make a life-altering choice. Bookout’s Jack must choose between his own self-interest or standing up for friends and doing the right thing, though it comes with significant risk. The resolution comes with the song “Once and For All.”

Abby Bookout (4th from left) makes a choice – leave and stay and defend his friends. Photo by Steven Sheldon.

Milan’s production of Newsies had thrilling highlights. It included some moments of struggle. But that is inherent in live theatre when you accept everyone who wants to participate and your primary goal is teaching. Credit goes to the director and design teams for their vision in staging the show.

The stage and tech crews were entirely student-run, featuring six current middle school students, four high schoolers and one former middle school student. The assistant directors and costume team were all former students of the Milan Middle School’s theatre program. Credit also goes to the many adult volunteers who assisted in making scene changes smooth and getting sets built and painted.

There was much to enjoy about Newsies and Milan should celebrate the level of interest the kids have in theatre. In the end, that is what education is all about. Helping kids find their passion and then nurturing and encouraging that passion.

Well done Milan Middle School. You get two thumbs up.