The story of paperboy Jack Kelly is returning to the youth theater stage at Fort Vancouver High School thanks to Journey Theater’s production of Newsies.
“It was based on real people, and it was based on real kids that were trying to change their future,” said show director Kiana Williams.
This story follows Jack Kelly, Davey Jacobs and Katherine Plumber as they unionize the paper boys of New York and defy big-time publisher Joseph Pulitzer after he raises the price of his newspapers.
“Jack, he’s an orphan, he doesn’t have any family,” said Cason Pierce, the kid playing the lead role of Jack Kelly. “He’s 17, so he’s a kid, but he’s almost an adult and still has a lot of growing up to do, and it shows a lot throughout the show.”
This is Pierce’s third season doing shows and the first time he has landed a lead role in a musical with Journey.
“I was aiming for the role, but I didn’t really expect to get it, I tried not to get my hopes up, but I got it and that was awesome,” Pierce said. “This show has been one of the most fun things I’ve ever done in my life.”
As the first performance nears, the cast has been working tirelessly to perfect their choreography and the underlying themes of the story.
“We’ve been looking into this big versus little mentality and making a difference even when you don’t think you can,” Williams said.
She says that the entire process has been riddled with moments where she’s felt the musical's message applies to her own life.
“We started really struggling to find places to rehearse, finding a place to perform, everything was a big Goliath as we were trying to make this happen,” Williams said. “When things are opposing it, it makes me even more think this is something we should be doing.”
On a companywide note, Williams feels that the story applies to Journey’s recent pursuit of building their own theater.
“Fundraising right now, that feels like a giant, so it just feels very applicable,” Williams said.
According to Pierce, one of the story’s main beacons comes from how his character’s dream changes from travel to staying home.
“Sometimes you think you need something but what you actually need is right there in front of you,” Pierce said. “You can find happiness and your family just where you are.”
Adding onto that point, Williams felt that this musical is one of inspiration, that one person exhibiting hope and bravery brings it out in others.
“There’s multiple characters in this show that do something that scares them and that encourages the person next to them,” Williams said.
On the whole, from the artistic team, to the cast members, to the people in administration at Journey, Newsies has given them something strong to share with the rest of the community.
“I think there’s a lot going on in this world, and this story is about hope,” Pierce said. “I think people need some hope right now.”
Newsies runs on the weekends from Nov. 6 through Nov. 14 at Fort Vancouver High School.
Friday shows are at 7 p.m. and Saturday shows at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. both weekends.
Tickets are available at cue.circleupapp.co/org/journey-theater/tickets/newsies-2.
For more information on Journey Theater Arts Group, visit journeytheater.org.
