Local youth theater groups put on ‘Newsies’ musical in Arlington Heights

ArtReach Educational Theatre, in partnership with Spotlite Theatrix Production Co., is staging “Newsies The Musical.”

Performances will be at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 14; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 15; and 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 16, at St. Simon’s Church, 717 W. Kirchoff Road in Arlington Heights.

Tickets are $20 in advance, $22 at the door; student/senior tickets are $20. For tickets, visit artreachspotlite.com/tickets/.

Set in 1899 New York City, the musical follows charismatic newsboy Jack Kelly. When publishing titan Joseph Pulitzer raises newspaper distribution prices at the newsboys' expense, Jack and aspiring reporter Katherine Plumber rally a ragtag union of orphans and youths to launch a citywide strike against corporate unfairness

The cast includes: Kevin Foss of Palatine as Jack Kelly, Jamie Hoffman of Morton Grove as Katherine Plumber, David Kinnard of Elk Grove Village as Joseph Pulitzer, Gabbi Jones of Lake Zurich as Medda Larkin, Emilia Rzdzewski of Niles as Davey, Henry Riley of Morton Grove as Les, Emma Shimon of Morton Grove as Crutchie, Kai Franzak of Rolling Meadows as Race, Paddy Shinkan of Arlington Heights as Albert, Vivian Abraham of Palatine as Specs, Lily Fedashchin of LaGrange as Henry, Jason Navarro-Jones of Lake Zurich as Romeo, Ted Rafferty of Schaumburg as Teddy Roosevelt, and Dan Walsh of Des Plaines as Weizel.

The show is directed by Foss with Walsh as assistant director.

The mission of ArtReach Educational Theatre is to expose children to all aspects of theater, music and dance. They accept any child from beginner to advanced performing levels with a genuine interest in the arts from age 5 through high school. All children are challenged and encouraged. They offer private voice lessons, dance and acting classes, advanced musical theater workshops and summer arts camp programs in Palatine.

For more information about the ArtReach programs taught by professional actors and teachers, call (847) 372-7798 or visit artreachspotlite.com. This program is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council and the Cook County Arts Alliance.