North Montgomery High School will present their rendition of the musical “Newsies,” directed by Mike Melvin and Megan Birk. Performances are 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday.
The musical is historical and loosely based on the New York City newsboys’ strike of 1899.
The story follows a group of young paperboys, known as “newsies,” who struggle to make a living by selling newspapers on the streets. The main character, Jack Kelly, is a charismatic and determined newsie who dreams of a better life away from the harsh streets of the city.
The plot begins when the newspaper moguls, led by Joseph Pulitzer, decide to raise the price newsies have to pay for the papers they sell, which cuts into their already limited earnings. Feeling exploited, Jack and his fellow newsies — along with a young reporter named Katherine Plumber — organize a strike to demand better pay and fair treatment.
Senior Ginny Huff plays the role of Katherine, she has performed in musicals and plays all throughout her high school career. Huff said the biggest obstacle preparing for the show has been singing the songs.
“My song that I sing is probably one of the most difficult songs I’ve ever sang,” Huff said. “And so I’ve just spent, like, hours and hours, trying to make sure I’m on time and practicing high notes.”
Huff encourages people to come see the show because of the compelling lessons it teaches.
“It sends a really powerful message and tells a really powerful story,” she said. “When I sit in the audience and watch it [during rehearsals] it kind of brings me to tears.”
NMHS junior Nate Woosley plays the role of Davey Jacobs, a smart, responsible and determined teen who, despite his initial hesitation, becomes a key leader in the newsies’ fight for fair treatment.
Woosley sees himself a little more decisive than his character.
“I feel like if there was a strike and there was something wrong going on, I feel like I might hop in right away before I’m sold on it,” Woosley said. “Whereas Davey, he kind of sits back, he’s like, I don’t really know, and then eventually he gets sold on it.”
Woosley said if there’s any reason to see the show, it’s due to the cast.
“This is one of the most talented casts I’ve ever worked with,” he said.
NMHS junior Kyle Ratliff plays the lead, Jack Kelly.
“He has big aspirations to get out of New York, the Stinkin’ Streets, he calls it, and he wants to go west all the way to Santa Fe in New Mexico because it’s this new town that’s full of opportunity, and he just wants to get away from the hustle and bustle of selling newspapers in New York City,” Ratliff said of his character.
Ratliff said the show is action-packed with surprises around every corner.
“It punches you in the face in a good way, and, you know, as an audience member, you might not expect this big wave of sound that hits you,” he said. “It’s just astonishing seeing all the people doing all the dances and everything together. It’s just fun.”
Senior Clauddia Smedley has been waiting since her freshman year to be apart of the musical. She connected with her character, Medda Larkin, even before she was cast.
“So I started working for it. Literally the week after we found out we were doing Newsies, I started learning her song,” Smedley said. “And from my Spotify wrap-up, it was number one.”
Smedley describes Medda as a matronly figure, specifically to the lead role, Jack Kelly.
“She’s a safe haven for all of the newsies,” Smedley said.
She added that all cast members have shown more talent and dedication than she imagined.
“A lot of time has been put into it and a lot of hard work and dedication because the boys especially, their singing range has increased so much. I’m flabbergasted every time that they sing,” she said.
Purchase online tickets at https://www.vancoevents.com/us/eventlist/nmhs.
