Highland Stage to present 'Newsie'

VERNON — The Highland Stage is ready to "Seize The Day" as it presents this Summer's musical phenomenon, Newsies.
Set in New York City in 1899, Newsies is the rousing tale of Jack Kelly, a charismatic newsboy and leader of a band of teenaged "newsies." When publishing giants Joseph Pulitzer and William Randolph Hearst raise distribution prices at the newsboys’ expense, Jack rallies newsies from across the city to strike against the unfair conditions and fight for what's right. Their cause becomes even bigger than any of the newsies imagined when they realize they’re fighting for all the children working in unfair and unsafe conditions across the nation.
Based on the 1992 Disney motion picture and inspired by a true story, Newsies features a Tony Award-winning score by Alan Menken and Jack Feldman and a book by Tony Award winner Harvey Fierstein. Featuring the now classic songs “Carrying the Banner,” “Seize the Day,” and “Santa Fe,” Newsies is packed with non-stop thrills and a timeless message, perfect for the whole family and every audience.
Leading the cast is Ethan Metz of Vernon as Jack Kelly, Megan Johnson of West Milford as Katherine Plumber, Mike Tlatelpa of Vernon as Crutchie, Hatten Mullins of West Milford as Davey, Kevin Colarusso of Montague as Les, Matt Losco of Vernon as Race and Christopher Stokes of Vernon as Joseph Pulitzer and Elizabetta Bracer of Vernon as Medda Larkin.
The cast is supported by an ensemble including Cole Benkendorf, Alexis Borowic, Cora Brennan, Christopher Bruesehoff, Rebekah Bruesehoff, Caleb Burns, Emmalyn Burns, Kylie Burns, Zoe Burns, Jess Carfello. Jeff Colarusso, Alex Colon, Cassee Commoreto, Joe Corderio, Abby Crane, Sophia Crane, Nathan Fitch, William Flaherty, Langdon Frey, Lucy Frey, David Gallaugher, Kaitlyn Gallaugher, Mia Grizzuti, Darios Hartlage, Megan Hertlein, Kylie Imbimbo, Kaitlin Kawko, Blair Lanza, Maddie Legonegro-Coar, Celeste Levy, Alana Levy, Kaylee Losco, Jessica Lucas, Paloma Lupino, Holly Masi, Jack McGraw, Coco Metcalf, Zoe Novak, Jessica Perry, Lia Pila, Carlos Pinero-Cabrera, Jason Pritchett, Lindsey Renna, Joselyn Sanchez, Jessica Sconfienza, Justin Shea, Kelsie Shinall, Sadie Smaldino, Emilia Smaldino, Ryan Spadafina, Robert Texel, Damian Vince, Jake Weyant, and Reyna Whitty. This cast represents students from Vernon, West Milford, High Point, Wallkill Valley and Sparta school districts to name a few.
This musical represents the company’s annual Summer Theatre Project.
The show is directed by Heather Burns, musical direction is by Faith Anderson and choreography is by Renee Ziegler-Schmidt. The full pit orchestra will be led by Jon Hartlage and lighting Design is by Matthew Mitra. Liz Smith is the company Stage Manager. Mike Van Vliet is the company Sound engineer,
Maggie Hayes is the Assistant Stage Manager, Morgan Brown is costumer and Art Design is by Kaitlyn and Cindy Gallaugher.
Performances are Friday and Saturday, Aug. 3, 4, 10 and 11 at 7 p.m. at Vernon Township High School. Tickets are $15 for Adults and $10 for seniors/children and students with ID. Thursday, Aug. 9, at 6 p.m. there is a special Senior Citizens performance where Senior Citizens pay only $8.
For additional information visit our website www.thehighlandstage.org or call (973) 271-7853.