Starting back in early October, anticipation rose for this year’s musical to be announced, with cast members eager to get back on the stage. Once hearing they will be performing “Newsies,” seniors Jessica Toomay and Trevor Lewis decided to go out for the lead roles as Kathrine Plumber and Jack Kelly.
“‘Newsies’ is basically about a bunch of kids who make way below minimum wage and have just enough food to survive,” Lewis said. “The people who pay them decided that they would dock their pay more, so the Newsies are unable to sustain themselves with that little amount of pay. That’s what the whole strike is about.”
When the musical was announced, it caught the eye of Lewis.
“In sixth grade, our choir teacher made us watch it every day,” Lewis said. “Then over time, I was like, ‘Oh, that’d be really cool to be that role.’ Then when I heard that we were doing it, I practiced every day for months until audition day.”
Unlike her co-star, Toomay has some experience with these roles.
“I love this musical — I’ve actually done it three times, and I played the part one time, so I thought it would be really fun to play it again,” Toomay said. “I love musical theater and I love music, so [when going for the lead] I was like, ‘Why not?’”
Despite the anticipation around the show, a lot goes on behind the scenes.
“It takes a lot of effort,” Lewis said. “Everyone’s always doing their best even if they [only] have a couple of lines. Everyone’s always helping each other, constantly working to achieve that goal.”
Aside from rehearsing and learning choreography, students take time out of their days to work on the set to make sure it’s completely done before showtime. In the end, it makes the final product go well together.
“The set is really cool,” Lewis said. “I’m looking forward to putting that with [scenes] we’ve learned so far.”
Apart from the little aspects of building the set to learning all of the choreography and lines, it creates a production that both Toomay and Lewis are excited for.
“I’m really grateful for the opportunity to get to play the lead — I’m not going to take it for granted,” Toomay said. “I’m going to make sure it’s a good experience for everybody, and we are all proud of what we do [in] the end. It’s going be a huge and fun show, and I hope everyone will come to support.”
