Drama Makes Newspaper Headlines With "Disney's Newsies"
This year’s spring musical wows the school community with a striking spirit from old-time New York City streets.
By Jocelyn Cosgrove
This year’s spring musical wows the school community with a striking spirit from old-time New York City streets.
By Jocelyn Cosgrove
From March 24 to April 1, the drama department danced their way into the audience's hearts during this year's spring musical, “Disney’s Newsies.”
Originally adapted from the Disney movie, the broadway musical follows Jack Kelly, an orphan living in New York City and the leader of one of the city's many newspaper-selling groups. Kelly meets a pair of siblings, David and Les Jacobs, who are new to the newspaper-selling business and shows them the ropes. After Jacob Pulitzer, the publisher of the city’s newspaper increases the price of papers to make more money, the kids go on strike to lower the price of the newspaper and establish their rights as workers.
Senior Loren Losorta played the character Katherine, the journalist that helped the Newsies advertise their strike, and she enjoyed the audiences and performing during the shows.
“All our shows were fantastic. Every audience each night absolutely loved our show and we got so much good feedback from parents, Pioneer staff and other audience members,” said Losorta.
Unlike last year due to COVID-19 concerns, this year’s auditions for the spring musical, which were held in December, were open to not only the advanced drama class, but also the rest of the student body. Rehearsals were four times a week, starting in January and going until the shows at the end of March, providing various challenges for the performers.
“I can’t say for sure there was one part that really stood out at the most challenging. I think that the amount of work that goes into it from singing to dancing late into the night with school the next day starts to take its toll. But we power through it and put on an incredible performance, and that’s what people take away from it and that’s really why the department stands out as a whole,” said Em Sandis, 10.
Out of the 25 songs performed in the musical, sophomore Katie Mcguire's favorite song to perform was “Seize the Day” from Act 1 because of the excitement that went along with it.
“The harmonies are so pretty and it’s a song where we all come together. I also love to dance and that’s the song I get to dance in,” said Maguire.
Every year as a spring musical tradition in the advanced drama class, the Legacy Robe is given to someone who represents what the PHS drama department values. This year, the robe was given to Sandis at the last rehearsal night and presented at each of the performances.
“I tend to live by giving everything I can to people with a notion inside myself that it will never be enough. So when I heard my name called and people telling me that I was the only name that came to mind of this person Coleman described, that really touched my heart,” said Sandis. “I think anyone a part of the entire production could’ve won it and worn it with pride so I could not be more honored to have been chosen.”
Leading up to opening night, Losorta felt her favorite moment was the mic checks before the opening night performance after the hard work and dedication that had been put into this show.
“It was especially sweet as our vocal director and tech director, (Marissa) Bacon, made a special tribute to the seniors,” said Losorta. “Being a senior myself, this musical has been such a special and amazing journey for me and opening night was definitely a show to remember.”
Originally adapted from the Disney movie, the broadway musical follows Jack Kelly, an orphan living in New York City and the leader of one of the city's many newspaper-selling groups. Kelly meets a pair of siblings, David and Les Jacobs, who are new to the newspaper-selling business and shows them the ropes. After Jacob Pulitzer, the publisher of the city’s newspaper increases the price of papers to make more money, the kids go on strike to lower the price of the newspaper and establish their rights as workers.
Senior Loren Losorta played the character Katherine, the journalist that helped the Newsies advertise their strike, and she enjoyed the audiences and performing during the shows.
“All our shows were fantastic. Every audience each night absolutely loved our show and we got so much good feedback from parents, Pioneer staff and other audience members,” said Losorta.
Unlike last year due to COVID-19 concerns, this year’s auditions for the spring musical, which were held in December, were open to not only the advanced drama class, but also the rest of the student body. Rehearsals were four times a week, starting in January and going until the shows at the end of March, providing various challenges for the performers.
“I can’t say for sure there was one part that really stood out at the most challenging. I think that the amount of work that goes into it from singing to dancing late into the night with school the next day starts to take its toll. But we power through it and put on an incredible performance, and that’s what people take away from it and that’s really why the department stands out as a whole,” said Em Sandis, 10.
Out of the 25 songs performed in the musical, sophomore Katie Mcguire's favorite song to perform was “Seize the Day” from Act 1 because of the excitement that went along with it.
“The harmonies are so pretty and it’s a song where we all come together. I also love to dance and that’s the song I get to dance in,” said Maguire.
Every year as a spring musical tradition in the advanced drama class, the Legacy Robe is given to someone who represents what the PHS drama department values. This year, the robe was given to Sandis at the last rehearsal night and presented at each of the performances.
“I tend to live by giving everything I can to people with a notion inside myself that it will never be enough. So when I heard my name called and people telling me that I was the only name that came to mind of this person Coleman described, that really touched my heart,” said Sandis. “I think anyone a part of the entire production could’ve won it and worn it with pride so I could not be more honored to have been chosen.”
Leading up to opening night, Losorta felt her favorite moment was the mic checks before the opening night performance after the hard work and dedication that had been put into this show.
“It was especially sweet as our vocal director and tech director, (Marissa) Bacon, made a special tribute to the seniors,” said Losorta. “Being a senior myself, this musical has been such a special and amazing journey for me and opening night was definitely a show to remember.”