Shown is the cast of West Branch High School’s presentation of Disney’s Newsies the Broadway Musical. Performances are Friday through Sunday in the community auditorium. (Submitted photo)

BELOIT — Disney’s Newsies the Broadway Musical is coming to the West Branch High School Auditorium stage Friday through Sunday this weekend under the direction of Krista Clay assisted by Tessa Murphy.

Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 3 p.m. Sunday in the West Branch Community Auditorium, 14277 S. Main St. All seating is reserved and can be purchased online at wbmusic.org or at the door prior to the show. Adult tickets are $14 and senior/student tickets are $12.

Based on the actual newsboy strike of 1899, Newsies is the rousing tale of Jack Kelly, a charismatic newsboy and leader of a band of teenage news boys-“newsies.” Jack inspires the younger newsboys to take on goliath newspaper giants who have raised the prices of their papers at the expense of the boys. With the help of determined reporter, Katherine Plumber, Jack and the newsboys create a meaningful movement that proves even the youngest of voices can spark meaningful change.

The musical, based on the 1992 motion picture and inspired by the true story of the 1899 newsboy strike in New York City, Newsies features a Tony Award winning score by Alan Menken and Jack Feldman with a book by Tony Award winner Harvey Fierstein. The newsboy strike of 1899 lasted nearly two weeks and was significant in history as it was one of the first strikes carried out by children that ended with a compromise meaning the kids won!

The show opens with Jack Kelly savoring the last few moments of quiet before the sun rises along with his best friend, Crutchie. At dawn, the newsies sing about their life and work introducing the audience to this ramshackle group of young friends who sell newspapers in order to feed themselves. The first act takes the audience through the story of the newsies beginning their strike and gaining notoriety in the news with the help of up and coming reporter, Katherine Plumber.

Audiences will be transported through the war the newsboys begin to wage on the newspaper tycoons with exciting music and dance. Tessa (Wells) Murphy has designed choreography that rivals that of the Broadway production with many styles of dance including tumbling and a tap number. The last time this show was seen on the WB stage was in 2018 when Murphy played the role of Katherine Plumber.

“This show is one of the most physically and vocally demanding performances we have put on our stage in the past 20 years. Tessa has helped our cast of third through twelfth grade students learn to tap, jump and flip in ways we only dreamed they would be able to accomplish,” Clay said. “The students have not only mastered the choreography but also the complex harmonies and demanding vocal parts required by this show.”

Senior Gavin Clay will portray the strong and determined, Jack Kelly. Gavin has been seen as Shrek in Shrek the Musical, Jean Valjean in Les Miserables, the Beast in Beauty and the Beast, and many other leading roles on the WB stage. In his final performance on the high school stage, Gavin will bring a gorgeous tenor voice to the role where he has also perfected the character and essence of Jack Kelly.

Playing opposite of Gavin is junior Noelle Shutler. Noelle’s vocal ability is magnified in the number “Watch what Happens.” Her voice is sure to put the entire audience in awe as she skillfully belts this song.

Playing the role of Crutchie, Jack’s best friend, is sophomore Lucas Herold. Lucas was last seen on stage as Pinocchio in Shrek the Musical. Playing the role of Davey, a teen forced into becoming a newsie due to his dad being injured on the job, is sophomore Ashton Clay. Ashton shows the serious and studious side of this role while also watching over Davey’s younger brother, Les. Les will be played by sixth grader Colton Legros who was last seen on the WB stage as Young Shrek. Freshman, Cecilia Raga, brings the over-the-top role of Medda Larkin to the stage this weekend as well. Cecilia brings the pizazz and rich vocal technique needed for this part. The editorial giant, Joseph Pulitzer, will be played by freshman Everett Zippay. Everett’s baritone voice and acting abilities bring the perfect combination to create this strong-willed tycoon to life. Over 60 more WB students join these talented students on the stage this weekend in roles from newsboys to nuns to secretaries to dancers and even Gov. Teddy Roosevelt!

Clay said, “Even our youngest performers bring the excitement and energy that it takes to bring this show to life.”

In addition to direction from Clay and Murphy, the cast had the opportunity to work with veteran Broadway Newsie, Adam Kaplan. Kaplan spent an entire day with the cast coaching them and perfecting what students have been working hard on since the beginning of March.