Theatre Aspen Announces The Cast Of NEWSIES

Graham Northrup, Theatre Aspen's Director of Education, announced the cast for the Winter Conservatory production of Disney's Newsies today. Students aged 12-18 will work with local professionals to produce this much-loved musical.

The largest cast of any Theatre Aspen Winter Conservatory production to date, Newsies will feature 35 students who represent nine different schools throughout the Roaring Fork Valley. Local actor Scott McCracken (Theatre Aspen's Side by Side by Sondheim and Aspen Community Theatre's Evita, Jesus Christ Superstar, and A Little Night Music) will join the student actors as the show's villain, publishing behemoth Joseph Pulitzer.

The student cast will also enjoy dance intensives with choreographer and Aspen Santa Fe Ballet dancer Austin Reynolds. Dory Light will serve as Music Director, and the production team consists of Tom Ward (Scenic Designer), Colleen Fawley (Costume Designer), and Loren Wilder (Lighting Designer).

"One of our goals is to provide students with training that will benefit them in their own school's theatre productions," Northrup commented. "We're delighted to provide students from so many schools with the opportunity to collaborate with professionals while expanding their creativity, honing their craft, and strengthening their sense of discipline."

Newsies is the rousing tale of Jack Kelly (played by Glenwood Springs High School's Blake Novy), a charismatic newsboy and leader of a band of teenaged "newsies." When titans of publishing raise prices at the newsboys' expense, Jack rallies newsies from across the city to fight for what's right. Featuring the classic songs "Carrying the Banner," "Seize the Day," and "Santa Fe," Newsies is packed with non-stop thrills and a timeless message.

Newsies, directed by Northrup, is one of Theatre Aspen's five annual youth productions. All performances will take place at the Aspen District Theatre January 10-13. Tickets are available at TheatreAspen.org or 970-925-9313: $25 for adults, and $12 for students. Newsies is sponsored by the Aspen Times and Juliet Shield-Taylor and the Robins Foundation.

Theatre Aspen offers theatre education for students in Pre-K through age 19, as well as college-age students and adults. These programs emphasize employing highly-qualified teaching artists to provide excellent, age-appropriate training based on national standards - including performance, design, and stagecraft - to build skills, character, and confidence in its students. Registration for spring programs and productions is underway. For more information on classes and productions visit TheatreAspen.org/Education.