For the debut of the new theater space, MVL will perform the musical “Newsies.”

“Newsies” is musical based on a 1992 film of the same name. It was adapted into a Broadway musical in 2012. The story was inspired by the real-life newsboy strike of 1899. The musical centers on a group of orphaned and homeless boys in New York who earn a living selling copies of different newspapers. However, after ‘New York World’ Publisher Joseph Pulitzer decides to raise the cost of the papers sold to the newsies; the group decides to unionize and go on strike. The newly formed union of newsies works to gain the support of all newsboys across New York and resist efforts from the powerful Pulitzer to break the strike.

The MVL cast has been in rehearsal since Jan. 30. Director Jennifer Uher said the students were extremely excited to be performing “Newsies.” Many of the cast were already familiar with the musical before it was announced as MVL’s next play.

“Some of the cast already knew all the words to songs before rehearsing began,” Uher said. Some of the cast were familiar with the 1992 film and others knew the Broadway stage musical. Either way, their prior knowledge of the material helps with the production.

Ezra Spike (left) as Jack, Will Kerkow as Davey rehearse a scene in ‘Newsies.’

Uher said “Newsies” can be a challenging production to choreograph. Not just in terms of the dancing, but also in the scene transitions. There are no hard scene breaks in “Newsies” meaning the cast is also doing double duty as stage technicians, moving set pieces around. It is also not unusual to see over a dozen actors on stage in a given scene.

“That’s what is unique about this show,” Uher said. “It doesn’t really stop. It keeps going. The Newsies might leave the stage but will be part of the scene transition.”

Uher said that is the greatest challenge of “Newsies.” The cast has to be extremely coordinated, not just learning their lines and choreography and helping with quick scene transitions and setups. However, Uher said that this makes the show all the more exciting for the audience and the cast has been up to the challenge.

“The students are the best part of doing the show,” Uher said. “The kids are hands down the best part of doing this. We have become a drama family.”

Becky Berg, a producer for the musical praised the MVL cast.

Clair Woller as Katherine sings a solo as she attempts to write an article on the recent newsies strike.

“These kids are all really awesome singers,” Berg said. “And they have steel traps for brains to memorize all the choreography.”

The cast is led by MVL sophomore Ezra Spike, who plays Jack Kelly, leader of the newsies. Spike said when he learned “Newsies” would be the spring musical, he did a deep dive into the show and quickly learned a lot of people had a passion for the show.

“Everybody loves ‘Newsies,'” he said.

Spike said the thing he liked best about playing Jack is that the character cares so much. Jack is the one who watches out for all the other newsies and is the first to call for a newsboy strike.

Spike said this was his first acting role at MVL. He previously worked behind the scenes doing lighting, but saw the camaraderie with the actors and wanted to try acting. He acknowledged some of the higher-range singing could be a challenge, but he had a supportive cast.

MVL’s “Newsies” cast rehearses the scene in which they first begin to organize after learning of the price hike in newspapers.

Spike and other members of the cast have also committed to playing their characters with thick New York accents. Spike said the accent is not too difficult to do. After a few performances, it’s almost easier to talk with the accent than without it.

His favorite song from the musical is “Watch What Happens (Reprised).” It’s a great song that serves as a turning point for the musical, where you realize the Newsies could win.”

MVL senior Clair Woller, plays Katherine, a young reporter who is sympathetic to the newsies’ strike and works to publish stories about their fight with Pulitzer.

Woller said this would be her last performance as an MVL student, but felt it was a great last show to go out on. She was very familiar with the musical before rehearsal started.

“Every theater kid knows ‘Newsies,'” she said.

Woller was excited to play Katherine as her personality was not too different from her own.

“We’re both very sarcastic,” she said.

Woller said one of her favorite parts of “Newsies” was the scope of the story. She said it is not unusual to have a large ensemble of characters on stage at one time.

“I enjoy watching everyone perform, even if I am not in the scene,” she said.

Woller’s favorite song in the musical is “One and For All.” She said the song has a lot of harmonizing and it is very powerful.

Sophomore Will Kerkow plays Davey. This is his fourth musical with MVL and his sixth play overall.

“I really enjoy the theater,” he said. Kerkow knew all the songs “Newsies” before being cast as Davey. He said at a young age his sisters showed him the musical and it has been in his mind ever since.

The challenge of playing Davey is to react the correct way in each scene. Unlike the other newsie characters, Davey is not an orphan and does have a home. Kerkow said Davey is not really one of the newsies until the end of the show. He slowly becomes one of them. Kerkow said the best part of acting is playing someone different.

Kerkow said his favorite song in the musical is “Watch What Happens Reprise” because it gives his character a big show-stopping performance, but admitted all the songs were great.

The youngest member of Newsies cast is St. Paul Lutheran 6th Graders Joel Guenther who plays Les, the younger brother to Davey. Guenther said this is the third MVL play. He was previously in “Annie” and “The Music Man.”

Guenther said it was a physically exhausting role and his character has a lot of dialogue, but he’s enjoying the experience.

“I love all the people I am working with,” he said. “It is great being able to be in a high school performance.”

His favorite song in the musical is “King of New York.”

The cast and production team are excited to perform the “Newsies” next weekend, but they are also excited to show off MVL’s new fine arts center.

Uher said this will be the first dramatic performance held on the stage and the new space and the experience has been amazing.

The new stage and raised audience seating have all enhanced the viewing experience, but Uher was especially impressed with the new lighting and sound system.

“The things we can do with this sound system for a musical are wonderful,” Uher said.