From the Cast: A Newsies Rehearsal Update

Extra, extra, read all about it! Encore’s production of Disney’s Newsies opens this Friday. The buzz in the office about this show has been steadily growing to an excited roar. Today we’re pumped to check in with a few members of our cast, to learn a bit more about some of the characters that inhabit our streets of New York, as well as what has them amped up for this production run.

Madeleine: (Bowery Beauty, Newsie, Nun) My favorite memory of this show has been meeting a ton of new friends, because I have never been in an Encore show or known anyone from Encore! The thing that I’m most excited for in Newsies is getting to perform on the set, because it is so amazing. I’m also excited to perform the tap number “King Of New York.” Encore’s [production of] Newsies is an enjoyable, well put-together, and upbeat show that has been a great experience to be a part of!

Marz: (Youth Newsies) I am part of the strike and the union that’s been formed. One of my favorite memories during Newsies was when I walked into the theatre and saw the set for the first time. I was in shock of how amazing it looked and what I have the chance to be a part of. Newsies is something so much bigger then me, and I am so excited to see the magic come together onstage! To me, Newsies is about justice, finding your voice, bravery, loyalty, and love. I hope the audience feels the message that’s conveyed, and that they take it and spread it out into the world.

Dahlia: (Nun, Bowery Beauty, Dancer Newsie) My favorite memories from the rehearsal process focus on making new friends and dancing. I’m very excited to be able to share what we’ve worked on to our friends and family. If I could describe Newsies in one word, I would describe it as adventurous.

Emmie: (Nun, Newsies, Bowery Beauty) Newsies is a great musical about the newsboy strike of 1899, when the newsies went on strike for better wages after the politician Joe Pulitzer raises the price on the newspapers that the newsies have to sell, an unfair thing to do because the newsboys don’t get refunded for the papers they don’t sell and they have to eat. My favorite memory from the Newsies rehearsal process was learning the tap number for “King of New York.” I don’t have a whole lot of experience with tap, so at first when I found out I was going to be in the tap number I was a little nervous, but learning it was really fun and after practicing it a lot, I got all the steps and that felt really good. For the show, I think I’m most excited for the dance numbers, specifically the tap number and the dance number with the Bowery Beauties, which is so much fun too (we do a kick line!). It’s going to be a great show and I can’t wait to perform.

Xander: (Youth Newsie, Goon, Bill) The whole rehearsal process was so much fun, but one memory in particular that stands out is when we first started tech week. I enjoyed seeing the amazing sets the crew built for the first time, and it was fun to play games with the cast and try on costumes. It also made the show feel so real, that we were truly standing in Newsies Square and dancing in the streets of New York! I’m most excited for the fight scene at the end of “Seize the Day”; it is an intense all-out brawl filled with punches, kicks, chaos all over the stage, and more! It provides a sharp contrast to the determination the newsies have after singing about standing up to fight for what they believe in. Newsies has something for everyone, whether it’s the stage combat, amazing group numbers, New York accents, or beautiful sets and costumes. This show brings so many awesome talents together to tell the riveting tale of the newsboys strike of 1899.

Matthew: (Bunsen, Youth Newsie) I’ve had such a fun time rehearsing this show; one of my favorite memories of rehearsal was when we did our first full run-through because it was so amazing to see how all of our hard work come together. I’m so excited for the audiences to see this show because it’s a show for the whole family. Everyone will have a character to relate to. Encore’s production of Newsies is a whirlwind of beautiful singing, phenomenal dances, and a story for the ages.

Ben: (Joseph Pulitzer, the owner of The World and villain of the story) I have enjoyed being a part of this production with my son, Will, who plays a Nouth Newsie and the Policeman. My favorite memory of rehearsal was our first “stumble-through” — getting to see and hear our incredible cast do the full show for the first time! I am most excited to see the audience reactions. My brief description of Encore’s Newsies: an exuberantly energetic show with everything you could want in a musical!