The musical will be presented at 7 p.m. on April 16, 17 and 18 in the cafetorium.

Director Samantha Brisini said they have boxes and boxes for their upcoming performances, thanks to donations from area businesses such as Shop and Save in Cresson and Smithmyers in Loretto.

“We had to stop taking them one month ago because we have so many,” she said.

Newspapers hold a central role in Disney’s musical, which follows New York City newsboy Jack Kelly, leader of a group of boys protesting unfair publishing prices during the real-life 1899 strike. As the strike gains traction on the city streets, publisher Joseph Pulitzer attempts to silence the protestors’ voices.

Courtesy photo / Three student artistic designers (from left to right): Ella Beiswenger, Andrew Ostinowsky and Annika Cassol, are pictured with one of the show’s props.

Brisini said she had the perfect cast for the show, with 37 student actors ranging from sixth to 12th grade from Bishop Carroll, All Saints, Holy Name, St. Benedict’s and St. Michael’s.

“You want to do a show they’ll succeed in and do great,” she said. “They can knock it out of the park.

When Brisini told her students last spring about putting on “Newsies,” she said they jumped up and down and cheered. The musical first premiered on Broadway in 2012, so many younger kids are familiar with its storyline and songs.

“They love it,” she said. “It’s something they grew up with.”

Considering that many “Newsies” characters are based on real-life individuals, Brisini encouraged all of her students to create their own on-stage personas and backstories.

“I don’t want them to copy anyone. I want them to have their own take on a character,” she said.

Brisini said she has many costumes from Cresson Lake Playhouse’s 2019 production of “Newsies” when she worked in the costume department. Because it’s a simple show to costume, she said they also snagged some pieces from local Goodwills and St. Vincent De Paul.

Students in the artistic design and choreography departments are also encouraged to contribute to the production to stay involved in a show and take responsibility for their creative work, she said.

“I want to impart as much knowledge as possible to them about how to run a production,” she said.

Running at two and a half hours, the musical also includes lots of dancing and songs that will keep the audience’s attention, she said. And they will see how much effort the students put into the production both on and off stage.

“I think audiences will respond to that energy and passion they (students) put into it,” she said.

Tickets are $5 for students and $10 for adults. They will be available at the door.

Cast

Andrew Ostinowsky as Jack Kelly; Elijah Sossong as Crutchie; Helene Saxion as Katherine Plumber; Alex Krug as Davey; Isaac Moran as Les; Maddie Rezk as Race; AJ Lubert as Joseph Pulitzer; Sullivan Waterhouse as Albert/Seitz/Featured Dancer; Katie Thompson as Finch/Bunson; Aiyana Saxion as Mush/Hannah/Bowery Beauty; Dane Krauss as Wiesel/Newsie; Ethan Holtz as Oscar Delancy/Snyder/Newsie; Colin Beiswenger as Morris Delancy/Teddy Roosevelt/Newsie; Chloe Gailey as Medda Larkin/Nun; Taylor Marsh as Spot Conlin/Elmer; Taylor

Shutty as Specs/Bowery Beauty/Featured Dancer; Annika Cassol as Henry/Bowery Beauty/Featured Dancer; Ella Beiswenger as Romeo; Ava Itle as JoJo/Mayor; Abby Peters as Tommy Boy; and Zander Eckenrode as Buttons.

Newsies

Caitlyn Bishop, Katie Bradley, Olivia Mackovyak,

Kaiden Cummings, Claire Kuncelman, Moriah Lieb, Kylee Taylor, Millie Balog, Abby Knobloch, Emma Dubovecky, Audrey McCann, Avi Sutton, Autumn Smith, Tory

McConnell, Iris Snyder, Halle Weir and Jewelyia Kline.

Stage crew

Jonathan Bishop, Landon Duman, Emma Farabaugh, Megan Farabaugh, Alivia Lieb, Leah Kirsch, Olivia Rok

Production team

Director — Samantha Brisini

Stage Manager — Elaina Smith

Assistant Stage Manager — Molly Itle

Drama Advisor — Beth Lubert

Music Director — Gabriella Petrarca

Choreographer — Sierra Gdula

Sound Design/Sound Board Operator — Scott Way

Light Design/Light Board Operator — Samantha Brisini