The cast of ‘Newsies Jr.’ on set at Playhouse Merced.
The Merced County Times provided local newspapers for the production of ‘Newsies Jr.’
Playhouse Merced and its many talented conservatory students have brought the Disney classic “Newsies Jr.” to town.
Over the last few months, the kids of the Music Dance Theater class of the Playhouse Merced Conservatory, under the direction of LuanaLei Turetzky, have been hard at work crafting their production, and were able to finally debut last weekend.
The show will have one more run this weekend, April 27-29. Showtimes are at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, and at 2 p.m. on Saturday. This is a family event for all ages.
Newsies is a musical based on the 1992 Disney film of the same name directed by Kenny Ortega. Notably, the plot was inspired by the New York Newsboys Strike of 1899. When powerful newspaper publishers raise prices at the newsboys’ expense, the charismatic Jack Kelly rallies newsies from across the city to strike against the unfair conditions. Together, the newsies learn that they are stronger united and create a movement to fight for what’s right.
The young Playhouse students perform the songs “Carrying the Banner,” “Seize the Day,” and “Santa Fe.”
The cast includes: Charlote Arenivaz as Working Child, Kinley Banks as Pat, Rose Autumn Byne as Seitz, Franco Benavides as Morris Delancey, Janai Chambers as Crutchie, Isaac Cocio as Romeo, Sarah Conrad as Hazel, Gabrielle Conrad as Oscar Delacey/Bill, Paloma Day as Weisel, Gus Dietz as Joseph Pulitzer, Jaylynn Flores as Dorothy, Tenley Gudgel Police Officet, Kayley Gudgel as New York Woman, Annabelle Gudgel as Bowery Brigade, Rowan Gudgel as Snyder.