Extra! Extra! Read all about this exciting upcoming production!

By Jordyn Martin

SANFORD – The High School’s Theater Company has been hard at work taking Newsies from script to the Performing Arts Center stage. Opening night is March 27, with two shows on March 28, and a finale matinee performance on the 29. There will also be two exclusive school-time performances on March 26. in addition to the other performances.

Newsies stars SHS Junior Jack Van Gieson as the heroic, charismatic, and infamous Jack Kelly, a dreamer longing for a life outside of the confines of selling ‘papes’. With the help of his best fried, Crutchie (Anna Brown), he teams up with hungry journalist Katherine Plumber (Morgan Bailey), newbie newsie brothers Davey and Les Jacobs (Ryan Kane and Bryn Rice), and all the newsboys of lower Manhattan to take a stand and strike against the greedy publisher of “The New York World” newspaper, Joseph Pulitzer (Braeden Landry).

When asked why he chose Newsies as the 2026 spring musical, this is what Sanford Performing Arts Managing Director and Creative Director of Newsies, Brett Williams, had to say:

“I love the story of Newsies because it’s about the power of people. It’s based on a true story. A bunch of kid newsies really did shut down the world. A bunch of kid newsies really did band together and do something that was unimaginable at the time. The story itself is fantastic, and then, on top of that, we add in the layer of incredible music and lyrics.”

The music in Newsies, written by American Composer and Conductor Alan Menken, is a huge part of the storytelling of this show, specifically. “He takes melodies from the original Newsies movie and expands them into a great production!” as stated by SHS Choral Teacher and Newsies Musical Director Ryan Geary. “You can really hear the newsies grow in maturity throughout the show. Each song, they learn something new.”

The show will feature big, iconic numbers like “Seize The Day”, “The World Will Know”, and “Carrying the Banner” as well as the powerful and emotional lament, “Santa Fe”.

Each of these numbers is choreographed by Sanford High School Alumni Kailyn Penley, who was very excited to return and help out upon finding out that the Sanford Theater Company was putting on this show.

“One of the reasons why Newsies is my favorite show is because of the message it shares,” said Penley. “You’re never too young to make a difference, to stand up for yourself and to fight for what’s right, and a huge part of that storytelling of the strike is told through choreography and movement. It shows the energy the newsies have for their rebellion, and shows their unity for their cause and each other. It’s also a great challenge for the actors onstage because it’s not an easy show by any means, but these students have worked extremely hard to learn this show and the choreo that comes along with it!”

“The headline is dance, […] and people can come to the show expecting a huge spectacle,” as said by Williams. “Everything is very big and bold and brave. A double-decker set is a new level for us. We’re kind of pushing ourselves in a lot of different ways from a technical standpoint with music and sound and lights, so we’re growing in that way as well.”

One of the biggest obstacles to overcome for this production was the set required to put on Newsies. “This is by far the largest set we have used to date, as it has multiple ladders leading up to the different levels that cast members use to walk and dance on. It consists of 5 tall separate towers that move independently of one another but also come together to form the large unit,” explained SHS teacher and Newsies director, Kristie Baker. 

With each show produced since he became director of the Sanford Theater Co. back in 2019, Williams stated that they’ve “added another layer to the cake” and gotten more ambitious each year.  “We have never attempted choreography this ambitious before. The set is more ambitious than we’ve ever had before. The band is bigger than we’ve ever had before.” Continuing on, he said, “We’ve always amped it up a little bit more every show, so I no longer get afraid to do big things.”

Newsies is especially unique in contrast to past productions at SHS. “This show, ironically, goes back in time further than any other show we’ve done—set in 1899, New York City, but it’s also the most modern piece we’ve produced in a long time, brought to Broadway in 2012. […] Your Mamma Mia’s, your Shrek’s, your Grease’s, those were all complete fantasy. Newsies is based on real life, based on real people. The names have been changed, but the stories are real. We’re telling a chapter of American history, and that’s what’s so unique about this show.” Williams stated.

Since January, the cast and crew have been hard at work to bring Williams’ vision of Newsies together. “It is nothing like any show we’ve ever done here,” stated Van Gieson. “There is so much energy and passion behind this show. I think [people] should go so they can just get a little taste of how cool it actually is.”

When talking further with Van Gieson about what personal importance being a part of Newsies and playing this role holds, this is what he said: “It means a lot to me. Growing up, my oldest brother watched Newsies with me all the time because he loved that movie. And so I would always watch it and be like, ‘hey, I want to be Jack Kelly!’ […] It means so much to me since it’s such a core memory.”

As Williams said, “It’s a big show with a big message that stars little people doing big things,” so don’t miss out on this unforgettably thrilling experience and get your tickets soon! Adult admission is $15, senior citizen tickets are $10, and students get in free!

Public show dates & times:

Friday, March 27, 2026 – 7:00 PM

Saturday, March 28, 2026 – 2:00 & 7:00 PM

Sunday, March 29, 2026 – 2:00 PM

Cast:
Ava Allen, Paul Auger, Morgan Bailey, Jakob Bendel, Anna Brown, Callie Curtis, Avila Cyr, Claire Davie, Ava Fagan, Josh Fogarty, TJ Folk, Austin Glidden, Isaiah Goodale, Benjamin Hartford, Anna Held, Thalinda Hengthal, Rebecca Horton, Eleanor Journey, Ryan Kane, Braeden Landry, Jordyn Martin, Oakley O’Keeffe, Miranda Payeur, Sophia Randall, Bryn Rice, Josiah Thoms, and Jack Van Gieson.

Crew:
Cynthia Carroll, Emerance Baron, Esmee Baron, Lingling Chau, Avery Cormier, Giuliana Drouin, Sophie Dunleavey, Abigail Engram, Gwen Fogarty, Gianna Garneau, Addison Gendreau, Natalie Huntley, Xyla Kurz, Abby Michaud, Mattea Peters, Azure Shrubsall, Wren Trivilino, Emerson Whitlock, Gabe Williams

Pit:
Conductor: Ryan Geary, piano: Joanna Hamblin, bass: Jacob Hudgins, guitar: Blaine Morin, drums: Elliot Baron, reed 1: Allie Herring, reed 2: Joshua Hyssong, trumpet: Hannah Paterson, trombone: Paul Auger