{"id":24588,"date":"2024-03-22T00:41:54","date_gmt":"2024-03-22T04:41:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/?p=24588"},"modified":"2024-03-22T00:41:54","modified_gmt":"2024-03-22T04:41:54","slug":"lively-broadway-musical-newsies-presented-by-tusculum-coming-to-the-capitol-theatre-for-six-shows-in-april","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/news\/2024\/lively-broadway-musical-newsies-presented-by-tusculum-coming-to-the-capitol-theatre-for-six-shows-in-april\/","title":{"rendered":"Lively Broadway musical “Newsies,” presented by Tusculum, coming to the Capitol Theatre for six shows in April"},"content":{"rendered":"

GREENEVILLE<\/strong> \u2013 High-caliber acting, singing and dancing await guests when the curtain rises for six performances of the musical \u201cNewsies\u201d presented by Tusculum University.<\/h3>\n
\"Todd

Todd Wallin, left, who plays the male lead, and Rachel Lawrence, who plays the female lead, pose for a publicity photo. Photo from Kristin Girton<\/p><\/div>\n

\"This

This is a group photo of newsies who are rehearsing for the musical \u201cNewsies,\u201d which is coming to The Capitol Theatre for six shows in April. Photo courtesy of Eric Kaltenmark of EK Photography<\/p><\/div>\n

Theatre-at-Tusculum will hold lively shows April 12, April 13, April 19 and April 20 at 7 p.m. and April 14 and April 21 at 2 p.m. at the Capitol Theatre in downtown Greeneville. Steve Schultz, the director of \u201cNewsies,\u201d has teamed since January with an ensemble cast of about 70 to produce a show that will have audiences singing the songs and quoting lines as they return home.<\/p>\n

\u201cCast members are focused on creating an exceptional and memorable experience for our audiences with this fun musical,\u201d said Schultz, who also serves as director of Tusculum Arts Outreach<\/a>. \u201cThe tremendous energy audiences will feel when they come to the shows and the quality of our production have been reflected in our rehearsals. We encourage community members throughout East Tennessee to join us for one or more of these outstanding shows.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNewsies\u201d is based on the 1992 Disney motion picture that was later adapted for the Broadway stage and is inspired by a true story.\u00a0It features a Tony Award-winning score by Alan Menken and Jack Feldman and a book by Tony Award winner Harvey Fierstein.<\/p>\n

The musical is set in New York City about 1900 and shares the rousing tale of Jack Kelly, a charismatic newsboy and leader of a band of teenaged \u201cnewsies.\u201d When titans of publishing raise distribution prices at the newsboys\u2019 expense, Jack rallies newsies across the city to strike against the unfair conditions and fight for what is right.<\/p>\n

Tusculum\u2019s version of \u201cNewsies\u201d is taking place at The Capitol Theatre because Arts Outreach recently discovered the need for some repairs to the stage in the Marilyn duBrisk Theatre on campus. Those repairs are unlikely to be complete prior to opening night for \u201cNewsies,\u201d and Arts Outreach does not want to delay the production because of the cast and community excitement about the production. Schultz thanked The Capitol Theatre for providing this alternative location.<\/p>\n

The cast and leads<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Rachel

Rachel Lawrence, who plays the female lead, rehearses a scene for \u201cNewsies.\u201d Photo from Kristin Girton<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Todd

Todd Wallin, middle, who plays the male lead, rehearses a scene with fellow cast members. Photo from Tusculum University<\/p><\/div>\n

The show features Todd Wallin playing Jack as the male lead and Rachel Lawrence playing Katherine as the female lead. Other cast members who have primary solos are David Gipson as Pulitzer, Taci Kea as Medda, Owen Philbeck as Davey and Ethan Swatzell as Crutchie. They are joined by 61 other cast members, including many boys and girls, who have singing, dancing and acting parts.<\/p>\n

People can read the last of cast members at https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/tusc-family\/2024\/newsies-cast\/<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I first heard the announcement that Tusculum was putting on \u2018Newsies,\u2019 I was ecstatic because I loved that show so much and I really wanted the opportunity\u00a0to showcase my ability as a lead character,\u201d Wallin said. \u201cIt truly is an honor to be entrusted with this role, as it has helped me overcome the doubt of not having the skills to portray a lead character and to do so many wonderful and exciting things.\u201d<\/p>\n

Wallin, a Tusculum junior who is majoring in history education, has been connected to Tusculum theater since fifth grade when he joined what is now called the Tusculum Youth Actors Studio. More recently, he has been on the stage for several Tusculum productions, including \u201cMamma Mia,\u201d \u201cMacbeth\u201d and \u201cThe Tell-Tale Heart.\u201d He performed in \u201cThe Letter,\u201d one of the \u201c5 X 10 Plays,\u201d and \u201cThe Glass Menagerie\u201d in 2023.<\/p>\n

\"Todd

Todd Wallin, pointing, who plays the male lead, and fellow cast members rehearse a scene. Photo from Tusculum University<\/p><\/div>\n

Lawrence earned a bachelor\u2019s degree in theater and then joined the Cumberland County Playhouse, a professional regional theater in Middle Tennessee. She served for four seasons, performing in a variety of shows. In 2021, she moved to Johnson City. Earlier in her life, she lived in Greene County and danced with Central Ballet. \u201cNewsies\u201d will be the first theater production for this new mother since she returned to the area.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is a show that I\u2019ve always wanted to do,\u201d Lawrence said. \u201cI was lucky enough to see it on Broadway in 2012, and that inspired me to go into theater because I loved that show so much. It\u2019s always been a really exciting show for me. I love the role of Katherine. I\u2019ve performed her song \u2018Watch What Happens\u2019 in different cabarets and other places over the years, so it has been pretty much top of the dream role list since 2012.\u201d<\/p>\n

Behind-the-scenes personnel<\/strong><\/p>\n

In addition to the cast, Schultz has assembled an experienced team to handle the behind-the-scenes work associated with \u201cNewsies.\u201d Team members are:<\/p>\n

\"Steve

Steve Schultz, left, director of \u201cNewsies,\u201d and Faith Rader, the music director, work during the first day of rehearsals. Photo from Tusculum University<\/p><\/div>\n