In the late 19th century, delivering newspapers was more than just a part-time job for young newsies – it was their only means of putting food on the table. This lifestyle was shared by hundreds of children at the turn of the century and is portrayed in the famous Broadway show Newsies.

Newsies will be presented by the TAHS Drama Club in the high school auditorium on Friday, April 3 and Saturday, April 4 at 7 pm.

Newsies takes place in 1899 when seventeen-year-old newsie Jack Kelly finds himself in a constant daydream. He wants nothing other than to leave New York City and start a new life in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

But when The World publishing giant Joseph Pulitzer raises the price of the papers by a dime (which was a decent sum of money for the newsies), Kelly finds himself leading the Newsboy Union in a revolt against the price increase.

Director Laura Harris has nothing but good things to say about the upcoming show.

“We have a cast of 50 performers that includes 40 high school students, seven middle school students, and three adults.  As we rehearse the music and work on the blocking from scene to scene, I am thrilled to see the level of excitement that all of our cast members have about this show,” said Harris.

The show has a large cast of almost 50. Their roles are as follows:

• Jack Kelly: Nick Vasbinder
• Davey Jacobs: Brent McNeel
• Crutchie: Nick DelBaggio
• Les Jacobs: Austin White
• Katherine Plumber: Alexis Umholtz
• Joseph Pulitzer: Tyler Beckwith
• Medda Larkin: Olivia Reese
• Governor Theodore Roosevelt: TAHS Chemistry teacher Michael Funicelli
• Race/Newsie (also Tommy Boy’s lines):  Dean Grassi
• Albert/Newsie/Stage Manager:  Wilson O’Shell
• Specs/Newsie (also Button’s lines): Ryan Patterson
• Henny/Newsie (also Mush’s lines): Madison Yothers
• Finch/Newsie: Lindsey Walk
• Rose(Romeo)/Newsie: Kendall Markley
• JoJo/Newsie (also Elmer’s lines): Becca White
• Spot Conlon/Newsie: Nathaniel Patterson
• Darcy/Newsie: Grace LeGars
• Bell/Nun/Bowery Beauty/Newsie: Megan Dale
• Wiesel:  Ralph Harris
• Morris Delancey: Keegan Raabe
• Oscar Delancey: Joshua Patterson
• Seitz: Jacob Greene
• Bunsen/Newsie: Kolten Miller
• Hannah/Nun/Bowery Beauty: Isabella Rhoades
• Woman/Nun/Bowery Beauty/Newsie: Laura Kohler
• Snyder: Don Balasco
• Nunzio/Guard/Policeman/Newsie: Nathan Walk
• Mr. Jacobi/Mayor/Newsie: Dan Parker

Newsies/Scabs:

• Newsie/Scab #1: Jake Isenberg
• Newsie/Scab #2: Weston O’Shell
• Newsie/ Scab #3: Braden Ewing

Newsies:

• Noah Parks
• Olivia Ewing
• Abigail Kaspick
• Emily Dale
• Ashlynn McKinney
• Ellie Oakes
• Elizabeth Fryer
• Rhaya Gority
• Marina Beck
• Sarah Butina
• Bryanna Britten
• Rebekah Sprankle
• Lydia Seltzer
• Cassidy Miksich
• Sara Patterson
• Karlie McCoy
• Ashlee Walk
• Victoria Reese
• Katherine Lehner

For some of the cast members, Newsies owns a very intimate space in their hearts. Several of the drama club seniors have dreamed of being able to perform as a New York newsie on stage.

The cast has started rehearsals and is working very hard on their music and their lines.

“I have no doubt that these young men and women are going to put together an outstanding performance.  I hope to see the auditorium filled on Friday, April 3 and Saturday, April 4 to celebrate these amazing students as they present Newsies,” said Harris.

Reserved and General Admission tickets go on sale to the public at the High School Main Office beginning on Monday, March 2^nd and will be available for purchase until Friday, April 3^rd during normal school hours.  Tickets can also be purchased at the door on the performance nights.

The Newsies will “seize the day” but will you be lucky enough to witness history being made?