The stage is set for a David vs. Goliath battle as the curtain goes up on a new season at Mercer County Community College’s Kelsey Theatre with “Disney’s Newsies The Musical.”
The award-winning PinnWorth Productions will present the musical on Thursdays, Sept. 6 and Sept. 13 at 7:30 p.m.; Fridays, Sept. 7 and Sept. 14 at 8 p.m.; Saturdays, Sept. 8 and Sept. 15 at 8 p.m.; and Sundays, Sept. 9 and Sept. 16 at 2 p.m.
Kelsey Theatre is on the college’s campus, 1200 Old Trenton Road, West Windsor. A reception with the cast and crew follows the performances on Sept. 6-7, according to a press release.
Inspired by the real life New York City Newsboys Strike of 1899, young Jack Kelly and his band of newsboys are making a meager living selling newspapers on the streets. When publishing mogul Joseph Pulitzer decides to increase the price of the papers, his newsboys are going to feel a pinch they simply cannot afford.
They decide to take action by forming a union and going on strike. Add fledgling reporter Katherine Plummer and the boys’ brave stand against injustice lands on the front pages. Hope and change are in the air, according to the press release.
Based on a book by Harvey Fierstein, the show features music by Alan Menken and Jack Feldman. It premiered at New Jersey’s Paper Mill Playhouse in 2011 and made its Broadway debut in 2012, where it played for more than 1,000 performances. Songs include “Carrying the Banner,” “Seize the Day” and “King of New York.”
The show stars Rob Ryan of Gladstone as Jack Kelly; Bridget Hughes of Jackson as Katherine Plummer; Sean Dickinson of Jackson as Davey Jacobs; Ted Braun of West Windsor as Crutchie; Camryn Burniston of Parlin as Les Jacobs; Peter Sauer of Yardley, Pa., as Joseph Pulitzer; and Mimi B. Francis of North Brunswick as Medda Larkin.
The main “newsies” include Ethan Lipper of Millstone, Michael Mottram of Cream Ridge, and Faith Stack of Allentown.
Tickets are $20 for all and may be purchased online at www.kelseytheatre.net or by calling the Kelsey Box Office at 609-570-3333. Kelsey Theatre is wheelchair accessible, with free parking next to the theater.
Discounted subscription series for the 2018-19 season are still on sale. For a complete listing of adult and children’s events, visit the Kelsey website or call the box office for a brochure.
Photo Captions
Newsies1:
Jack Kelly (Rob Ryan), center, is ready to fight the good fight with the support of his newsies.
Disney’s “Newsies The Musical” is presented by PinnWorth Productions at MCCC’s Kelsey
Theatre Sept. 6-16. Tickets are $20 for all. Tickets may be purchased online at
www.KelseyTheatre.net or by calling the box office at 609-570-3333. Photo by Robert Terrano.
Newsies2:
Newsboy Jack Kelly (Rob Ryan) takes a stand against Joseph Pulitzer (Peter Sauer). Also
pictured are Pulitzer's men, Ken Marblestone, far left, and Jim Morris. Disney’s “Newsies The
Musical” is presented by PinnWorth Productions at MCCC’s Kelsey Theatre Sept. 6-16. Tickets
are $20 for all. Tickets may be purchased online at www.KelseyTheatre.net or by calling the
box office at 609-570-3333. Photo by Robert Terrano.
