As a child I received a copy of the Disney production of Newsies on VHS in my Easter basket. My sister and I could recite the entire movie, and long before there were televisions in the car we would act out and sing the entire movie on long road trips. When the musical was released, at first I was skeptical, how would it compare to my beloved movie. I loved it! A few years ago, Newsies came to the Muny and as a family were able to introduce the next generation, my nephew, to this great show and share our love of musical theater. This year has been incredibly difficult and this show has helped me immensely, remembering the great times I've had with my family and our shared love of this show.
As we bring our production of Newsies Jr. to the stage, I want to take a moment to express my gratitude and admiration for all the hard work that has gone into bringing this musical to life. It has truly been a labor of love.
None of this would have been possible without the tireless efforts of our incredible cast and crew. You stay late and you come in on Saturdays. Your dedication and hard work have been truly inspiring, and I am in awe of your talent and commitment.
I would like to give a special thanks to Karen Kaibel for her excellent music direction. Her guidance and expertise have been invaluable to this production. She has worked tirelessly with our talented cast to bring out the best in each of them, and we are so grateful for her dedication and commitment.
I would to thank Melissa Bodkin for her extrodinary artistic talent that helped make Jack the artist that he is today. Thank you for giving up your time to paint backdrops.
I would also like to take a moment to express a special thank you to Lila, Therese, Samantha and Sienna, alumni who generously gave their time to volunteer and help with this production. Their contributions have been invaluable, and we are so grateful for their support.
Thank you to Heather, Andrew, Andrew and Mark who would graciously give up their time to help with my workdays. Thank you for being great people and even better friends.
I want to express my deepest gratitude to the parents and guardians who have supported us every step of the way. Your commitment and encouragement have been crucial to our success, and we could not have done this without you.
I would also like to take a moment to recognize the importance of educational theatre. This production is entirely run by the students, from the actors on stage to the crew behind the scenes. Through their hard work, they have learned valuable skills in collaboration, communication, creativity, and leadership. These skills will serve them well not only in the theatre, but in all areas of their lives. I am so proud of each and every one of them for their dedication and commitment to this production.
Finally, I want to express my deepest gratitude to my family. I want to dedicate this performance of Newsies to my mom, she bought me the VHS, she started this journey and I wouldn't be the person I am today without her.
~Ms. Angela Hetz
