Alex Woody is the Public Relations Manager at Midland Center for the Arts. Telling the stories of artists, innovators, and modern-day explorers!
For more information or high-resolution photos, contact Alex at woody@midlandcenter.org.
JUN 18, 2024 - Next week, Midland Center for the Arts will present its Rising Stars production of Disney’s Newsies, taking place from June 26 - 29, 2024, at 8:00 PM on the Outdoor Stage on the Center’s campus. Based on the 1992 Disney film, this musical features a celebrated score by eight-time Academy Award winner Alan Menken (Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid) and Jack Feldman, alongside a compelling book by celebrated actor and writer, Harvey Fierstein.
Inspired by the real-life Newsboy Strike of 1899, Disney's Newsies follows a band of orphaned and runaway "newsies" as they wage a courageous two-week battle against powerful newspaper publishers like Pulitzer and Hearst. The stage musical captures the spirit and determination of these young heroes through big, high-energy dance numbers and a Tony Award-winning score.
Director and Choreographer Trent Soyster leads the creative team, with Rhagan Carter as Associate Director and Associate Choreographer, and Leslie Wickham as Music Director. The production promises to showcase the immense talent of teenage Rising Stars from the Great Lakes Bay region, offering an unforgettable summer evening.
“I am so thrilled to be working with the next generation of theatre artists on Newsies here in Midland!” said director Trent Soyster. “The passion and professionalism of our cast, creatives, and tech crew has been the highlight of this rehearsal process. Join us as we ‘Seize the Day’ at Midland Center for the Arts!”
The musical features beloved songs from the film such as “Carrying the Banner,” “Seize the Day,” “King of New York,” and “Santa Fe,” along with eight new songs by the original team of Menken and Feldman, crafted specifically for the stage adaptation.
Disney’s Newsies will run on the Outdoor Stage, June 26 - 29, 2024. Tickets are available online at www.midlandcenter.org, by calling (989) 631-8250, or by visiting the box office at 1801 W. St. Andrews Rd., Midland. A limited number of sandwiches prepared by the Center’s in-house chef are available for pre-purchase online. Visit www.midlandcenter.org/newsies for more details.
The 2024 Rising Stars program is sponsored by Great Lakes Loons and MCV, proudly owned and operated by Capital Power. Disney's Newsies is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.mtishows.com.
ABOUT THE RISING STARS PROGRAM
Every summer, Midland Center for the Arts searches for the top teen talent in the Great Lakes Bay Region to participate in an intensive, professional-level experience with training from a Broadway Creative Team. The Rising Stars program is designed for high school students, from incoming freshmen to graduating seniors, who work through an intensive rehearsal process to star in a popular musical. The program also offers the Rising Stars Technical Track, providing opportunities for students to learn and engage with behind-the-scenes work in theatre production.
Every summer, Midland Center for the Arts searches for the top teen talent in the Great Lakes Bay Region to participate in an intensive, professional-level experience with training from a Broadway Creative Team. The Rising Stars program is designed for high school students, from incoming freshmen to graduating seniors, who work through an intensive rehearsal process to star in a popular musical. The program also offers the Rising Stars Technical Track, providing opportunities for students to learn and engage with behind-the-scenes work in theatre production.
For approved media photos, please visit www.midlandcenter.org/media
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About the author
Alex Woody