HCA excited to bring ‘Newsies’ to Black Box Theater
Holmes Center for the Arts will present the musical “Newsies” June 26-29 in the newly opened Black Box Theater. This romp featuring New York City news boys who band together to fight for their rights is for all ages.
Stop the presses.
Disney’s “Newsies” will leap, sing and dance its way onto the stage at Holmes Center for the Arts June 26-29, and this venture will mark the inaugural adult-based performance in HCA’s new Black Box Theater.
For those involved it is a step into the future, and this romp on stage is the perfect way to introduce fans of musicals to the new theater.
“We’re so excited to bring this production to the HCA,” Director Jaime White said. “We’ve got a ton of talent. This is easily one of the best and most talented groups I’ve ever directed, and I can tell you from how much time and energy they have invested in preparing for this that it is going to be something special.”
Holmes Center for the Arts is dedicated to providing educational and performing opportunities in the arts for individuals of all backgrounds. This production will showcase talented performers from the region, bringing this story of courage and camaraderie to life with choreography and vocals.
In addition to the local talent, White said there are performers from Tuscarawas, Ashland and Wayne counties.
White said she and her husband Chris were prepared to bring this to the theater in 2020, but the pandemic forced them to put it on the back shelf. Yet their desire to make it happen remained.
“Chris and I had done a lot of work on it prior to the pandemic,” White said. “This past winter we decided it needed to be dusted off and brought to stage. We both had such huge expectations for it and asked that the cast really bring their best, and they have delivered in every way possible.”
White said the goal was to create a true New York City vibe onstage.
“We hoped to bring a genuine ‘I’m a kid living on the streets of New York’ feel to the production,” White said. “It’s such a great and inspirational story that is based on a true story, and seeing what these children from New York accomplished together is amazing.”
All talent aside, one of the main characters won’t be human, but rather the new LED processing screen that will allow the stage sets to come to life in a new way.
Couple that with the enormous New York City streetscape scenery that Chris White built and it sets the stage for plenty of exciting backdrops White said really energize the musical and take it to the next level.
Based on the real-life newsboy strike of 1899, “Newsies” recounts the tale of Jack Kelly, a charismatic newsboy and leader of a band of teenage newsies. When titans of publishing raise distribution prices at the newsboys’ expense, Jack rallies from across New York City to strike against the unfair conditions and fight for what is right.
Amy Loveday, who not only plays a role in the production, but also has taken on the task of creating the costumes, said they have explored a variety of costumes to create an authentic turn-of-the-20th-century New York City appeal.
“I’ve never costumed this big of a show before but have put a lot of effort into recreating a special feel,” Loveday said. “Thank goodness we live in a county with seven thrift stores because I’ve been in all of them.”
She said living in Amish Country is a positive right now because she needed loads of small vests, a popular item worn back in the day, and the thrift stores carry many of those.
“We really focused on bringing a lot of color into the sets and the attire,” Loveday said. “We were very intentional in use of color. The sets are going to be great; the sound is great, and the kids performing as Newsies are incredible.”
Loveday said dance instructor Kori Weber has raised the bar to incredible heights, and the dancers usually stay long after the requested time to practice their tap dancing and choreographed skills.
“Some of these dance numbers are insane,” Loveday said. “The performers have been working overtime. This is my seventh show, and I can tell you this is the most committed cast I’ve ever been a part of because they are all very committed.”
HCA will present 7 p.m. performances Thursday, June 26; Friday, June 27; and Saturday, June 28 with a matinee Sunday, June 29 at 2 p.m. To order tickets, visit www.holmescenterforthearts.org.
The “Newsies” production is being sponsored by Eques Law Group, Eques Title and The Cider Press.