It is exciting to announce that Belfry’s Winter Production will be the renowned Broadway show, Newsies! This Disney musical will have amazing choreographed dances, thrilling and heart-wrenching songs, along with the participation of both Middle and Upper School students.
Based on the 1992 motion picture and inspired by a true story, Newsies features a Tony Award-winning score by Alan Menken, composer of Little Shop of Horrors and Sister Act, and a collaboration with lyricist Jack Feldman. Harvey Fierstein, writer of the Broadway hit Kinky Boots, also wrote a book based on the screenplay of Newsies. Featuring the now classic songs “Carrying the Banner,” “Seize the Day,” and “Santa Fe,” Newsies is packed with non-stop thrills and a timeless message, perfect for the whole family and every audience.
Based on the real-life Newsboy Strike of 1899, this Disney musical tells the story of Jack Kelly, a rebellious newsboy who dreams of a life as an artist away from the big city. After publishing giantJoseph Pulitzer raises newspaper prices at the newsboys’ expense, Kelly and his fellow newsies take action. With help from the beautiful female reporter, Katherine Plumber, all of New York City soon recognizes the power of “the common man.” Despite being a turn-of-the-century story, Newsies has a very much rock ‘n’ roll, R & B-flavored score. It has a lot of contemporary rhythm to it that somehow registers as turn-of-the-century music.
Ms. Emma Hearn, the Upper School Drama Teacher and after school Belfry Theater Director, says that it would be a great way to “bring back musicals at GA after this long hiatus.” COVID-19 has put a pause on numerous events, including large-scale performances at Germantown Academy. Student thespians and entertainers have longed to be part of a larger and more traditional production for a while, and finally, the time has come. For the first time in almost two years, GA will be putting on a “normal” musical production since the beginning of the pandemic. Ms. Hearn says that “having this many students to work with is super exciting.” Due to the pandemic, it was hard to bring the whole school together to enjoy last year’s musical production.
Ms. Hearn also goes on to say that they chose the musical because it could incorporate a cross-divisional show, meaning it could include both Middle and Upper School students. The actors could range from the age of a sixth grader to that of a senior, as newsies in the late 19th century could have also been in the twelve to eighteen age range. Ms. Hearn also mentions gender inclusivity, saying that the Newsies characters don’t have to specify as any one gender, so roles can be given to a male, female, or non-binary Belfry member.Newsies is a very dance-focused musical, containing a number of ballerinos energetically pirouetting and cartwheeling across the stage. While the choreography for this cross-divisional musical might not be as physically taxing, the dance directors have something amazing in mind. To quote Ms. Hearn, Belfry is “coming back with a bang!” Come out to watch these amazing performers, live, this winter.