The broadway musical Newsies is making its LFHS debut in the RMA this weekend.  Mrs. Kelly MacBlane and Mr. John Wanninger will direct.

For weeks directors, student actors, the tech crew, and the school orchestra have extended their school days rehearsing to bring the Broadway musical Newsies to life.

What started as a vision on a page turned into a powerful advocate for injustice and standing up for what you believe in.

Newsies follows the tale of Jack Kelly, a charismatic newsboy, and his ragtag team of ‘newsies’ who dream of a better life away from the hardships of selling newspapers on the streets of New York City.

But their dream is put in strife when the price to publish the ‘papes’ rises. Led by Jack and the independent, young reporter Katherine Plumber the newsies unite to fight back against the greedy publishers. Will they succeed against the almighty publisher Joseph Pultizer and find unexpected love along the way?

“I love seeing the finished product on stage and watching the audience react to all of our student’s hard work,” Mrs. MacBlane said. “I love the entire process, even the long nights and frustrating rehearsals. It’s a part of the creative process!”

, Newsies will be Mrs. MacBlane’s 17th time directing an LFHS musical.

She and her co-director Mr. Wanninger have been nominated as of the top five school musical theater directing pairs in Illinois.

Beginning with a three-day audition, prospective actors prepared a song, did a cold reading from the script, and performed a short dance routine in hopes of securing a role. After the first round of auditions, actors considered for leading roles get called back to re-audition to solidify casting decisions.

For anxious students awaiting casting decisions, the time directors take to decide could not seem longer, but when the cast is finally announced, students radiate with happiness over their newly acquired roles.

Auditioning for a musical can generate a lot of nerves, but if you push these last-minute jitters aside the production experience waiting for you on the other side is worth it, said Madeleine Kapsalis said.

“You will never know what will happens unless you try,”  Kapsalis said.

Unfortunately, auditioning and earning a role is not always the outcome an actor receives. Students are encouraged to get involved in the tech crew if they don’t receive a role. It might not be the part they hoped for, but as Mrs. MacBlane puts it, the best performers understand all aspects of the theater.

Senior Molly Walsh said she was more than pleased to find out her favorite musical, Newsies, was going to be produced and that she could end her last high school musical ever with a couple of roles in the musical herself.

Walsh took a step back from the theater scene her first few years of high school, but eventually found her way back and secured multiple roles in Newsies herself. Playing Jacobi, an inviting deli owner, a headline writer, a police officer, and a tough Brooklyn newsie. Molly and the rest of the cast are eager to jump back into the exciting scene of school productions with Newsies.

No time is wasted before rehearsals are underway. The first two weeks are dedicated to learning the music, and once all actors begin to grasp it, choreography is learned, and blocking of all acts commences.

Kapsalis, in addition to her acting role in Newsies, had the opportunity to work alongside co-dance captain, Sophomore Sophie Loiacano, to teach choreography to their fellow cast members and extend their leadership skills through dance.

“It’s been a great experience getting to work with Sophie and the entire cast to make our dance numbers the best they can be,” she said.

The last preparations added to the performance are the tech, orchestra, and exquisite make-up and costumes. The directing team (the directors, music director, orchestra director, tech director, costume designers, and choreographers) coordinate with each other several times throughout rehearsals to make sure the separate aspects of the musical would nicely interlace together.

Every cast member and crew member got to make or enlarge their artistic imprint through Newsies on the LFHS theater department, and make long-lasting friendships while doing something they all love.

“One of my favorite things about Newsies is all the people I have met,” said Kapsalis. “I’ve made so many new friends and great memories.”

Walking behind the stage and observing the show biz, the theater camaraderie generated by the collaboration and creation of Newsies is undeniable. Everyone wears a smile on their face and presents their authentic selves to their castmates. It’s a safe space where all troubles are aside, and everyone is free to lose themselves in the magic of performing.

“Be yourself and be confident in your abilities. Have fun, work hard, and you will reach great potential,”  Walsh said.

On the last night, seniors will receive a special tribute for their last musical at the high school, and the traditional cast/crew after-party will take place to wrap up the production of Newsies.

The catchy tunes and groovy choreography are guaranteed to capture your attention. The musically gifted cast is sure to knock your socks off, and the costumes and set designs will for sure transport you to the meager streets of New York City. So come watch and celebrate these individuals’ hard work at the LFHS production of Newsies on April 29 -30 in the RMA at 7:00 pm.

Buy your Newsies tickets  here.  Online adult tickets are $17 and $10 for students/seniors. At the door adult tickets are $20 and $13 for students/seniors.