![Hosting the SCLA Casptone Mentor Dinner outside allowed for more attendees on September 27, 2021 at Silver Creek. This event would’ve usually been held inside. According to Lauren Kohn, a SCLA 12 teacher, “If we have a higher number of people, as long as we can host the event outside, then that seems to be keeping every[one] safe”.](https://schsnews.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/sxMAIGbSYGodZkqmrvTi5YWcJ1ssWA08ApkeMLpp-900x675.jpeg)
You’re in a packed auditorium with hundreds of individuals, anticipating possibly one of the most popular plays in the world: Newsies.
The musical is based on the July 20,1899 price change of newspapers in New York City. The story follows “Newsies”: the newspaper boys for the city, who decide to go on a strike on two newspaper brands: Joseph Pulitzer’s “New York World” and William Randolph Hearst’s “New York Journal”. The strike lasted almost two weeks before it was ended through a compromise. On July 27, 1899, both companies offered to sell papers to the newsies at 55¢ per hundred papers but the union rejected the compromise. Two days later they agreed to accept the return of all unsold newspapers.
Silver Creek High School performed the musical “Newsies” through February 25 – February 28. There were two casts: Maroon and Silver. Travis Weaver, senior, played the lead (Jack Kelly) on February 25 and 27, while Liam Legg played Kelly on February 26 and 28.
On February 26 the silver cast Liam Legg played the main character Jack Kelly, leading the strike for the group of Newsies, he helped bring the energy and confidence that Kelly needed to enlighten the community.
Silvers Creek’s adaptation of the show was a great mix of slow scenes and fast paced music moments. The scene that received the highest praise was “Seize the Day”, which is about rallying against the newspaper price hike by lifting the newsies spirits.
Gavin Coffin, who played the character of Crutchie, acted a character with a bum leg and was one of the protagonists in the show. Coffin brought a goofy aspect to the show and kept his balance surprisingly well. At the end of the show Crutchie was able to walk again leading to an even happier ending.
Although the musical might have looked flawless, behind the scenes it was a whole ordeal. On opening night multiple cast members suffered injuries along with the fire alarm going off. But still the show went on and the audience didn’t notice a difference.
The work from the producers and the actors were amazing along with the pit which provided the music and the lighting crew highlighted the actors in a great way
Elsa Wirkkanen, who played Medda Larkin, the theater owner, brought a sense of fashion and style to the old style of New York City. She helps understand and embody the character by emotion and style by projecting her voice.
George Coupounas, who played Joseph Pulitzer, projected his voice in a way you could feel his bad intentions of raising the prices of the newspapers. This allowed for the audience to feel the gravity of the situation at hand.
The show was very entertaining due to the many moving parts.
The Newsies production was a great experience for all ages . It was produced by French Teacher and Drama Director Tracy Knick. The next production is “Pride and Prejudice” which is being presented on May 1 and May 2.
