Newsies Gallery
photos by david holmquist
Newsies, the Broadway musical based on the classic Disney movie, took the stage for four high energy performances on May 9-12.
"Newsies of New York!" Energetic musical takes the stage
by madalyn thompson and kayla dawkins
With quite the delay this past fall of the annual musical, I think we were all curious to know how the new choice in musical would turn out; along with pushing it to the spring. I can only say the wait was beyond worth it!
Originally the chosen musical for the year was Hairspray, but was later halted when word spread that Craig could be the first high school in Wisconsin to perform the beloved musical that is Newsies.
It was most certainly a bright decision by all involved to wait upon tackling the years musical, for to see the talents of all involved in the production, and to watch the thrill that coated all their eyes as they got to perform the musical, well there are no words to describe it.
Newsies began as a Disney movie musical, and later became a Broadway smash. With dancing, catchy songs, a fact based story as the Newsies take on the rich elite. Meanwhile mixing in some comedy, and love story, and pathos, one can’t simply go wrong with such a marvelous show.
The musical takes place at the turn of the century in 1899 in New York City, where cruel owners of local papers want to raise their prices to make more profit for themselves, such as the greedy Pulitzer played by Isaac Hanna.
What they don’t realize is it won’t be as easy as they think when it comes to what the Newsies think of this devastating change, that being where our story takes place.
The cast and crew did an amazing job on the musical. The singing was fantastic with great emotions being heard through the music.
The dance breaks were a little rough and seemed a little sloppy, but it was still fun to watch and it was still amazing because of the fact that they had a month to get the dancing done. The dancing by the Craig Poms Squad was absolutely amazing and it really left people in awe and smiles.
One thing I have to criticize is the facial expressions. Some of the time it was there, others it was not. During “The World Will Know” I felt there was more smiles than there was determination in the face during a song that was supposed to show Pulitzer that they aren’t afraid of him. Also when Dav
ey (Parker Rundquist), goes to talk to Jack about being “above the fold” I felt there was little emotion in the face, but there was a lot in the voice.
The expression that were heard in the voices were done so well. You can definitely hear the kids of New York voicing their opinions to the runners of New York. During “Santa Fe” you can hear Jack (Jack Jorgensen) giving up and just wanting to move West. During “Letter from the Refugee” Crutchie (Aurora Strommen) has humor, hope, and even a little sadness in her voice and you know when her emotions change, because you can just hear it in the singing.
One thing that really touched me is the bond that this cast had. On the Saturday performance, it was the leading man’s, Jack Jorgensen, 18th birthday. After the final bows, the band started to play Happy Birthday and the cast brought out balloons for him and started to sing along. You can tell that the audience and Jack was very touched by this. On the Sunday performance it was noted that after Jorgensen hit the final note in “Santa Fe,” a note that he has trouble reaching, the cast had cheered during intermissions and were so relieved and proud of his performance.
Overall, the musical was very well done. The set was amazing having only been made days before had. The band was wonderful in bringing the musical to life. The cast did such an amazing job portraying the characters and really brought the issue into context.
Not only was the musical a spectacular hit, but it really brought into focus some real world connections and events that are going on today. Such as the school walkouts, and teacher marches that have been occuring all across the country to emphasize people’s strong beliefs on the injustices that are not only occurring on a global scale, but also in a more intimate one as well.
This musical is well known for many things; such as its uplifting and catchy music, superb talent, and wicked dance skills, but it also contains a background that can encourage those swept in its lyrics that change is possible, even when facing something not short from goliath.
It shows kids of all ages standing up for their rights, and trying to make a
better future for not only themselves but future Newsies, and anyone else not being paid their fair share.
Craig’s musically inclined students proved their worth with this musical production, and no words can be shared about just how spectacular the finish product turned out to be. They shared with the community both their talent and also the hard truth that comes with the cruel world we sometimes live in, but through this musical, and what it shares with its audience we are given hope for a better tomorrow.
Originally the chosen musical for the year was Hairspray, but was later halted when word spread that Craig could be the first high school in Wisconsin to perform the beloved musical that is Newsies.
It was most certainly a bright decision by all involved to wait upon tackling the years musical, for to see the talents of all involved in the production, and to watch the thrill that coated all their eyes as they got to perform the musical, well there are no words to describe it.
Newsies began as a Disney movie musical, and later became a Broadway smash. With dancing, catchy songs, a fact based story as the Newsies take on the rich elite. Meanwhile mixing in some comedy, and love story, and pathos, one can’t simply go wrong with such a marvelous show.
The musical takes place at the turn of the century in 1899 in New York City, where cruel owners of local papers want to raise their prices to make more profit for themselves, such as the greedy Pulitzer played by Isaac Hanna.
What they don’t realize is it won’t be as easy as they think when it comes to what the Newsies think of this devastating change, that being where our story takes place.
The cast and crew did an amazing job on the musical. The singing was fantastic with great emotions being heard through the music.
The dance breaks were a little rough and seemed a little sloppy, but it was still fun to watch and it was still amazing because of the fact that they had a month to get the dancing done. The dancing by the Craig Poms Squad was absolutely amazing and it really left people in awe and smiles.
One thing I have to criticize is the facial expressions. Some of the time it was there, others it was not. During “The World Will Know” I felt there was more smiles than there was determination in the face during a song that was supposed to show Pulitzer that they aren’t afraid of him. Also when Dav
ey (Parker Rundquist), goes to talk to Jack about being “above the fold” I felt there was little emotion in the face, but there was a lot in the voice.
The expression that were heard in the voices were done so well. You can definitely hear the kids of New York voicing their opinions to the runners of New York. During “Santa Fe” you can hear Jack (Jack Jorgensen) giving up and just wanting to move West. During “Letter from the Refugee” Crutchie (Aurora Strommen) has humor, hope, and even a little sadness in her voice and you know when her emotions change, because you can just hear it in the singing.
One thing that really touched me is the bond that this cast had. On the Saturday performance, it was the leading man’s, Jack Jorgensen, 18th birthday. After the final bows, the band started to play Happy Birthday and the cast brought out balloons for him and started to sing along. You can tell that the audience and Jack was very touched by this. On the Sunday performance it was noted that after Jorgensen hit the final note in “Santa Fe,” a note that he has trouble reaching, the cast had cheered during intermissions and were so relieved and proud of his performance.
Overall, the musical was very well done. The set was amazing having only been made days before had. The band was wonderful in bringing the musical to life. The cast did such an amazing job portraying the characters and really brought the issue into context.
Not only was the musical a spectacular hit, but it really brought into focus some real world connections and events that are going on today. Such as the school walkouts, and teacher marches that have been occuring all across the country to emphasize people’s strong beliefs on the injustices that are not only occurring on a global scale, but also in a more intimate one as well.
This musical is well known for many things; such as its uplifting and catchy music, superb talent, and wicked dance skills, but it also contains a background that can encourage those swept in its lyrics that change is possible, even when facing something not short from goliath.
It shows kids of all ages standing up for their rights, and trying to make a
better future for not only themselves but future Newsies, and anyone else not being paid their fair share.
Craig’s musically inclined students proved their worth with this musical production, and no words can be shared about just how spectacular the finish product turned out to be. They shared with the community both their talent and also the hard truth that comes with the cruel world we sometimes live in, but through this musical, and what it shares with its audience we are given hope for a better tomorrow.