Toowoomba State High School students will perform Newsies
Toowoomba State High School students will present their take on the critically acclaimed musical Newsies, a song and dance number that recounts the fight between homeless newspaper vendors and the publishing giants of 19th century New York City.
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Toowoomba State High School students will bring to life the ragtag tale of a group of 19th century newspaper hawkers who took on America’s mightiest publisher and won.
Newsies is the hit musical drama that was produced by Disney in the ‘90s that was adapted into a Broadway musical that went on to win a Tony for Best Choreography and Best Original Score.
Based on real world events, the play tells the tale of 17-year-old Jack “Cowboy” Kelly who, along with his fellow newsies, sells copies of the New York World on street corners across Manhattan.
When the paper’s owner Joseph Pulitzer ups the price he charges the newsies, Jack leads a strike that takes over the city and draws in child labourers from all walks of life.
TSHS Academy of Performing Arts player Luke Parker will perform the lead role and the show promises to be high energy.
“Jack is very charismatic and confident – a natural leader,” he said.
“He is a good salesman, but he hates his life, hates the city and he wants to go away to Santa Fe.
“I’d say he is pretty selfish and self centred, but he has grown up on his own.
“He treats his fellow newsies as his family, and does not want to put his friends and family in danger.”
The musical is the academy’s major production for the year and will give aspiring performers valuable theatre experience.
Dance and visual arts teacher Rebecca Stanley said the academy supported, encouraged and extended students who shared a passion for live performance.
“It is the first program of its kind in our region and is here to nurture the future of young Australian artists,” she said.
“Next year the course will expand to offer students a Certificate II in Creative Industries.” There are 33 students in the class from years 9-12 by audition only.
The academy will host two performances, Friday September 6 at 6pm and Saturday September 7 at 1.30pm at the Toowoomba State High School Performing Arts Centre.
Tickets are $5.
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Originally published as Toowoomba State High School students will perform Newsies
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