PAYSON — Spread the word! Payson Community Theatre’s Newsies is a hit! Newsies: The Musical is a Utah favorite with incredible harmonies, dancing, and a motivating theme of change and belonging. With music by Alan Menken and lyrics by Jack Feldman, Newsies tells the story of the Newsboys’ strike in 1899, known as the Children’s Crusade. The show celebrates the idea that even the smallest voices can spark the biggest change.

Director Jeremy Showgren truly had the heart of Newsies in mind when creating this production. He wrote a beautiful director’s note that I wanted to include because it sets the tone perfectly. He wrote, “Jack’s struggle to achieve his dream of belonging resonated with me…Change doesn’t have to be accompanied by amazing choreography or soaring guitar solos. The root of change is a voice, no matter how small. In today’s world of sound and fury, be a Newsie.” The choice to cast such a huge ensemble was clearly one made with this in mind. There were upwards of 60 people in the cast which I can only imagine presented challenges when it came to spacing. However, Showgren did a fantastic job at using the space effectively so everything looked seamless. 

The image shows a scene from the musical "Newsies" with a large group of performers on stage. They are standing in a horizontal line, holding hands and raising them triumphantly. The performers are dressed in period costumes typical of early 20th-century newsboys, including vests, plaid shirts, suspenders, and flat caps. The stage is lit with bright blue and purple lighting, creating a vibrant atmosphere. In the background, there is a structure with a scaffold-like design, suggesting an urban setting. A dark brick wall is visible to the left with three people inside what seems to be a window, watching the performance. The overall composition conveys a sense of unity and celebration.

Additionally, it was refreshing that the Newsies were actually children. I have recently seen far too many productions with Newsies played by adults who were literally balding. While I find the age difference to be distracting, this production kept faithful to the children’s ages in the script. Another typical pitfall of Newsies productions is that many of the ensemble members lack distinction. Showgren’s production surpassed the typical with his strong focus on script work, as each character had such a strong understanding of their lines and personality. Not one line was dropped.

The choreography by Emma Black was simple, but clean and crisp – fitting for a production with such a large cast. However, even with the simple choreography, Black still fills the space incredibly well and makes use of some really interesting formations to maintain energy and interest. There are some difficult combos spread throughout that help maintain the style and heart of the show. I appreciated that in moments where choreography was more simple, every actor was filling the space with strong acting choices. It’s a common perception that Newsies needs to be a super dance heavy show with crazy challenging combos in every single song. In this production, Black adeptly succeeds at creating choreography that matches the needs of the cast while still meeting the needs of the show.

The costume design by Kristina Holley is successful in accurately painting the picture of the 1890’s. The costumes are helpful in deepening the storytelling. The wigs, designed by Hannah Anderson, are truly beautiful. I want to specifically shout out the wig for the actress who plays Katherine because it is immaculately tailored to her. 

The set designed by Perry Ewell is perfect for Newsies. It is the classic Newsies set with the scaffolding, printing press, and news stand. The projections designed by RaeLe Carlson are effective and serve the storytelling very well. It is helpful to see the locations changing by not only what is on the stage but also by what is on the screen. The projections help make the set feel more three dimensional. 

The image depicts a lively stage performance featuring a group of actors in costume, suggesting a theatrical production. At the center, a woman in a bright red period-style dress holds up a newspaper headline. Next to her, another performer dressed in early 20th-century men's attire, including a cap, appears to be energetically gesturing with hands raised. To their right, a man in a blue waistcoat and cap stands with folded arms, smiling. In the background, several other performers in similar vintage outfits appear, most of them wearing caps and suspenders. The set behind them resembles a multi-level structure with staircases and beams, suggesting an urban environment.

Andrew Cook as Jack Kelly is so incredible! He has great chemistry with Sheridan Hansen as Katherine that makes their relationship both endearing and believable. (For my fellow Newsies lovers who may be wondering, yes, he did do the hat thing!) Sheridan Hansen as Katherine is a phenomenal performer. Her script work is impeccable, which truly shows with her comedic timing and performance of “Watch What Happens.” Her voice shows that she is truly made to play the challenging role of Katherine. 

Similarly, Benjamin Ewell as Davey has a voice that just never misses. His vocals are so crisp and strong. He has a clear arc to the character, cleverly exposing the important story in the script. Tyler Dimmick as Crutchie shows all the right amount of endearing and humorous in his performance. With strong vocals and acting choices, he is a standout amongst the large cast. 

The ensemble is full of incredible talent. Alex Back as Race is a strong performer in every category and truly carries the ensemble with her incredible vocals and dancing. Jesse Ewell as Romeo gives a standout performance with strong dancing and acting choices. Tommy Nielsen as Buttons gives the performance of a lifetime. He is a consistent performer who is committed to every breathing moment of the show. Finally, Bennett Claybaugh as Les is so cute in his portrayal, and I was surprised to learn that this is his first show ever! If he continues at this rate, he’s going places for sure.

The image depicts a theatrical stage scene from the musical "Newsies." At the center, a man in a formal black coat and tie stands facing forward with a serious expression. To his left, a woman dressed in a long, high-collared, gray dress and blouse watches him attentively. To the far right, another man with a beard, wearing a long gray coat, holds a top hat. He also appears focused on the man in the center. In the background, a woman sits at a wooden desk, appearing engaged in work, with a typewriter or similar object on the desk. The setting includes steps leading upward on a dimly lit stage, with a projection of text faintly visible in the backdrop.

Feisty and sassy are not words I would have originally paired with Pulitzer, but Trevor Brackney was just that. Everything he did was entertaining, fresh, and it just worked. Pulitzer is often a character who is overlooked because of his little stage time and the reality of his character being very stiff or stern. But, I loved Brackney’s take to Pulitzer and making the character one that danced on tables and twirled around on stage. I would like to petition for Pulitzer to be done that way everytime: a truly awesome performance. I applaud Brackney for making a character so uniquely his own. 

Newsies at Payson Community Theatre is a must for all locals and community theater lovers. I have to say, I have such a love and appreciation for community theater. There is something so special about being in an audience filled with proud moms who are sneaking videos of their kids. The amount of hard work, passion, and creativity that goes into making community theater productions truly brings out the spirit of theater. This was my first production I’ve seen with Payson Community Theatre and it certainly won’t be my last. 

Newsies plays August 21-23, 25, 28-30 at 7:30 PM and September 1 at 3:00 PM and plays at Salem Hills High School (150 N Skyhawk Blvd, Salem). Tickets are $10-12. For more information, visit https://www.paysoncommunitytheatre.com/.