Lyrics By JACK
FELDMAN
Dance Arrangements by MARK HUMMEL
Any video and/or audio recording of this production is strictly prohibited.
Jana Latchaw Milbourn Director
Andrew Schmidt Music Director
Molly Stasieluk
Assistant Director/Stage Manager
April Okken Choreographer
Rana Schmidt Production Coordinator
Caleb Powell & Lucas Frias Sound Designers
Meghan Churchill Directing Apprentice
Zach Dulny & Becky Ochoa Lighting Designers
Cole Edwards Lighting Apprentice
The themes surrounding Newsies have always felt important, but revisiting it has reminded me just how vital it is to keep telling this storyespecially now. Newsies is based on the true story of the New York City newsboys’ strike of 1899. This strike highlighted the injustices faced by young, marginalized workers, it demonstrated the power of collective action and solidarity, and it contributed to the eventual development of child labor laws. This story of hope, resilience, and fighting for what is right is a powerful reminder of the importance of standing up for social justice. Our voices and our actions hold great power - and that includes the voices of the young.
Working with each of these students has been one of the greatest honors. To the cast - thank you for pouring your hearts into each moment of this story. Your passion is evident, your talents are unbelievable - (I mean wow!) - and most importantly, your genuine care and support for each other is a gift. I can’t thank you enough.
This production would not have been possible without the outstanding artistic and production team I had the honor of working with, our incredibly talented and hard-working parent/guardian volunteers, our brilliant office staff, and more. You know who you are!
Finally, thank you to my husband for being my biggest supporter and cheerleader, and to my son Arlo for being the sweetest newsie of all time.
To the King, Jana Latchaw Milbourn
Psalm 82:3: "Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed."
“Santa Fe (Prologue)"..................................................................................Jack, Crutchie
“Carrying the Banner”....................................................Jack, Named Newsies, Nuns, Dancing Newsies, Newsies Ensemble
“The Bottom Line” Pulitzer, Seitz, Bunsen, Hannah, Nunzio
“Carrying the Banner (Reprise)”.....................Named Newsies, Dancing Newsies
“Chase”.........................................................Davey, Jack, Les, Snyder, Police Officers
"That’s Rich"................................................................................................................Medda
“I Never Planned On You/Don’t Come a-Knocking”.........Jack, Bowery Beauties
“The World Will Know”....................Jack, Davey, Les, Crutchie, Named Newsies, Dancing Newsies, Newsies Ensemble, Guard
“The World Will Know (Reprise)”……...............Jack, Davey, Les, Named Newsies
“Watch What Happens”……..............................................................................Katherine
“Seize the Day”……..................................Davey, Jack, Les, Named Newsies, Scabs, Dancing Newsies
“Seize the Day (Tag)”…….......................................................................Named Newsies
“The Fight”……......................Named Newsies, Wiesel, Delancey Brothers, Goons
“Santa Fe”……....................................................................................................................Jack
“King of New York”....................................Davey, Katherine, Les, Named Newsies, Dancing Newsies, Tapping Newsies
“King of New York (Tag)”.................................Named Newsies, Dancing Newsies
“Letter from the Refuge”......................................................................................Crutchie
“Watch What Happens (Reprise)” ...............................Davey, Jack, Katherine, Les
“The Bottom Line (Reprise)”................................................Pulitzer, Snyder, Bunsen
“Brooklyn’s Here”....................................................................Spot, Newsies Ensemble
“Brooklyn’s Here (Cont’d)”................Spot, Named Newsies, Newsies Ensemble, Dancing Newsies
“Something to Believe In” .......................................................................Katherine, Jack
“Seize the Day (Reprise)”......................................................................Named Newsies
“Once and For All”....................................Jack, Davey, Katherine, Named Newsies, Dancing Newsies, Newsies Ensemble
“Seize the Day (Reprise 2)”..................................................................Named Newsies
“Finale Ultimo (Part 1)”.......................................................................................Company
“Finale Ultimo (Part 2)”.......................................................................................Company
“Bows”.....................................................................................................................Company
Brock Addison............................................................................................................Romeo
Kellan Arnhold.........................................................................Scab, Newsies Ensemble
Jacob Banman………..................................Mr. Jacobi, Roosevelt, Newsies Ensemble
Savannah Beaman Katherine Plumber
Henry Bellinger…....................................................................Scab, Newsies Ensemble
Lynn Bird…….......................................................Tapping Newsie, Newsies Ensemble
Isabel Buckingham………........................................Bowery Beauty, Dancing Newsie
Logan Burns…..............................................................................................................Davey
Logan Churchill…...............................................................Bunsen, Newsies Ensemble
Ava Copeland……...........................................................…......Scab, Newsies Ensemble
Shea Coselmon Dancing Newsie, Tapping Newsie
Makail Cull………..................................................Morris Delancey, Newsies Ensemble
Devin Cunagin………..............................................................................................Jack Kelly
Lizzie Cure………......................Bowery Beauty, Dancing Newsie, Tapping Newsie
Maddie Cure….........................Bowery Beauty, Dancing Newsie, Tapping Newsie
Jude Doyle……....................................................Policeman, Goon, Newsies Ensemble
Sophia Drosos..........................................................................................Dancing Newsie
Kaylee Dust........................................................Backstage Hand, Newsies Ensemble
Avery Evans Newsies Ensemble
Evie Fisher...................................................................................Henry, Tapping Newsie
Arabella Flanagan.................................Stage Manager, Goon, Newsies Ensemble
Levi Foster......................................................................Policeman, Newsies Ensemble
Kanyon Hancock.....................................................Bowery Beauty, Dancing Newsie
Nick Heffner................................................................................Specs, Tapping Newsie
Riley Holk......................................................................................Bill, Newsies Ensemble
Olivia Hyer Bowery Beauty, Dancing Newsie
Jack James.................................................................................Scab, Newsies Ensemble
Dylan Johnson............................................................................Albert, Tapping Newsie
Joshua Johnson.............................................................................................................Finch
Kaeleigh Johnston………............…............Newspaper Woman, Newsies Ensemble
Lily Johnston………............................................Sietz, Nun, Goon, Newsies Ensemble
Matthew Kopina………............................................................Scab, Newsies Ensemble
Wesley Kratochvil………............................................................................Joseph Pulitzer
Emily LaBarge Dancing Newsie, Tapping Newsie, Dance Captain
Addison Larson……..Hannah, Nun, Goon, Tapping Newsie, Newsies Ensemble
Natalie Long………............…............…............…......................Goon, Newsies Ensemble
Charlie Lynn………..........…..........…...............................................Race, Tapping Newsie
Nash McGinness-Wood………..............................................Scab, Newsies Ensemble
Tatum McGinness-Wood……...Spot Collins, Tapping Newsie, Dancing Newsie
Luke Meehan.................................................................................................................Elmer
Brynna Niebuhr.................................Cameraman, Refuge Kid, Newsies Ensemble
Jeremiah Okken……….......................................................Wiesel, Ike, Tapping Newsie
Kathleen Okken Bowery Beauty, Dancing Newsie, Tapping Newsie
Matthias Okken…..............................................................................................................Les
Drew Orrison……...................................................Nunzio, Guard, Newsies Ensemble
Marie Orrison……….................................................Dancing Newsie, Tapping Newsie
Ryan Peterson……..........................................................................JoJo, Tapping Newsie
Opal Phillips…........................................................................Darcy, Newsies Ensemble
Dylan Raider………...................................................................Scab, Newsies Ensemble
Easton Richerson Tommy Boy
Wyatt Ricker……….................................................................Splasher, Tapping Newsie
Lilliana Robertson………..........................................................................Dancing Newsie
Mary Rosa…..............................................................................................................Crutchie
Reagan Rosenwald………......................................................Goon, Newsies Ensemble
Riley Simmons……...............................................................….........Medda Larkin, Squirt
Hadley Smedvig......................................................................Scab, Newsies Ensemble
Maggie Stultz...............................................................Refuge Kid, Newsies Ensemble
Kaitlyn Talken Mush, Tapping Newsie
Jolee Tindle..............................................................Dancing Newsie, Tapping Newsie
Henry Trimble.....................................................Oscar Delancey, Newsies Ensemble
Jadyn Valentine..............................................................................................Buttons, Nun
Halle Walters.....................................................Backstage Hand, Newsies Ensemble
Mira Walters...........................................................Dancing Newsie, Tapping Newsie
Harper Ward............................Dancing Newsie, Tapping Newsie, Dance Captain
Maggie Weiss Dancing Newsie, Tapping Newsie
Johnny Wigdahl..................................................................Snyder, Newsies Ensemble
Hayley Williams................................................Backstage Hand, Newsies Ensemble
Boston Woodward………...................................................Mike, Police Deputy, Mayor
Savannah Beaman as Katherine Plumber
Savannah is 18 years old and a senior at Blue Valley Northwest. This is her 32nd show with First Act Theatre Arts. Savannah’s favorite show she’s performed in is Curtains Off stage, Savannah enjoys spending time with and hanging out with her friends. Savannah would like to thank her parents for their endless support and all of her teachers for showing her how to do what she loves most.
Logan Burns as Davey
Logan is 18 years old and homeschooled as a Senior This is his 26th show with First Act Theatre Arts. Logan’s favorite show he’s performed in is Curtains The Musical. Off stage, Logan enjoys going to the gym with his friends, playing with his cat Timothee, and watching the new episode of Daredevil: Born Again every single week. Logan would like to thank his parents for always supporting him in wanting to pursue acting, his girlfriend Kaitlyn for always being there for him, and his friends Caleb, Hunter, and Philip for always coming to see these shows.
Devin Cunagin as Jack Kelly
Devin is 18 years old and a senior at Olathe East. This is his 18th show with First Act Theatre Arts. Devin’s favorite shows he’s performed in are Merrily We Roll Along and Rock of Ages. Off stage, Devin enjoys hugging Wyatt Ricker and that’s pretty much it. Devin would like to thank his Mom, who has always been an anchor and his biggest supporter in his life. His sister, cause she’s pretty awesome and cool to have around. And his beautiful, awesome, dope, girlfriend, Olivia!
Wesley Kratochvil as Joseph Pulitzer
Wesley is 16 years old and a junior at Blue Valley West. This is his FIRST show with First Act Theatre Arts! Wesley’s favorite show he’s performed in is Into the Woods. Off stage, Wesley enjoys working out, drawing, and playing the game. Wesley would like to thank his amazing family, especially his mom, and all the guys that I get to be a part of this show with.
Charlie is 18 years old and a Senior at Blue Valley High School. This is his 31st show with First Act Theatre Arts. Charlie’s favorite show he’s performed in is Bright Star. Off stage, Charlie enjoys playing guitar, working out, and eating Canes. Charlie would like to thank the artistic team, his voice and acting coaches, and family for all of their support.
Jeremiah is 17 years old and a Junior at Kansas City Christian School. This is Jeremiah’s 21st show with First Act Theatre Arts. Jeremiah’s favorite show he’s performed in is Beauty and the Beast Off stage, Jeremiah enjoys playing guitar. Jeremiah would like to thank his parents and God.
Matthias is 11 years old and a fifth grader at Kansas City Christian School. This is his 7th show with First Act Theatre Arts. Matthias’ favorite show he’s performed in is Matilda as Bruce. Off stage, Matthias enjoys playing video games, reading, and playing piano. Matthias would like to thank his family, friends, and most importantly, God.
Mary is 17 years old and a Junior at St James Academy. This is her 9th show with First Act Theatre Arts. Mary’s favorite show she’s performed in is Godspell. Off stage, Mary enjoys watching all kinds of movies, belting musical songs in the car, and hanging out with her sisters. Mary would like to thank her parents and her sisters for always being there for her and being her biggest fans, and God, who is the reason for all of this!
Riley is 18 years old and a senior at Blue Valley NorthWest High School. This is her 16th show with First Act Theatre Arts. Riley’s favorite shows she’s performed in are Beauty and the Beast and The SpongeBob Musical. Off stage, Riley enjoys trying new coffee shops and being forced to read her AP Bio text. Riley would like to thank her family for always supporting her in everything she does.
Mr.
Henry Bellinger
Bravo, Henry B.! We’re so proud of your heart, hustle, and talent seizin’ the day with you always! Love, Mom, Dad, Weston & Charley.
Lynn Bird
Congratulations, Elizabeth, on your first role as a tap dancer! You worked so hard for this, and you deserve it. Thank you to First Act and Mary Six Rupert of Tap on Tap (tapontap.org) for your help with group lessons and private instruction. Keep it up, Liz, we love you! Mom and Dad
Avery Evans
Show them what you got, Avery! Have fun, wish we were there! Love you, Grama Jill and Grampa Kenny.
Avery~ You are our star! You shine brighter with every performance! So proud of you! We love you! Grandma Roy and Grandpa Bill.
Olivia Hyer
Break a leg, Olivia! We love watching you dance!! Mom, Dad, and Jackson
Matthew Kopina Way to go on your fifth First Act show, Matthew! We love seeing you shine on stage with your singing, acting, and dancing. You're learning so much and creating memories you'll cherish forever. With love, Mom, Dad, & Ava
Natalie Long
Congratulations Natalie! We love seeing our favorite Newsie Seize the Day! Love - Mama, Daddy, Julianne, Ethan & Kiwi
Nash McGinness-Wood
Nash - Your kind spirit, your bright smile, your love of life. We love the human you are and are continuing to be. Keep working hard and good things will come. We love you to the moon and back! Love Trish, Michelle and Tatum
Tatum McGinness-Wood
Tatum - We are so proud of you and all your hard work every single day! You are nothing short of amazing and we love seeing the person you are growing to be. We love you more than words could ever say! Love Trish, Michelle and Nash
Opal Phillips
Opal you continue to amaze us! We are so proud of who you are and who you are becoming. Love, Mom & Dad
Dylan Raider
Dylan Extra! Extra! Read all about it! You crushed it, kid! We’re so proud of your heart, hustle, and dedication. Seeing you happy means the world to us. Keep seizin’ the day! Love, Mom and Dad.
Easton Richerson
Congrats on a great show, Easton! You’ve entertained us from the minute you were born! Love you!
Mom & Dad
Mary Rosa
Mary, So excited to see you shine! You’ve got personality! Break a leg! Mom, Dad, & CNAS
Henry Trimble
Henry, congrats on another amazing show! We love getting to see you perform! Your family loves you!
Mira and Halle Walters
Mira & Halle, We are so proud of all your hard work! Love, Mom & Dad
Backstage
Coselmon
Johnston
Raider
Stultz
Woodward*
Costumes
Copeland
Cull
Drosos
Kratochvil
Ward*
Wigdahl
GreenRoom
Churchill Foster
Johnson(Dylan)
Phillips
Richerson
Walters*
House
Cure*
Fisher
Johnson(Joshua)
Meehan
Peterson Rosa
Simmons
Makeup
Burns
Flanagan
Lynn*
LaBarge
Tindle
OpportunityBaskets
Kopina
Long
Valentine*
Williams
ProductionSupport
Beaman*
McGinness-Wood*
Weiss*
PR/Marketing
Fulk*
Props
Bird*
James
Niebuhr
Smedvig
*CommitteeHead
Refreshments
Addison
Banman
Holk*
Larson
Sets
Bellinger
Doyle
Hancock
Heffner
Orrison
Talken*
Tindle
Souvenirs
Arnhold
Buckingham*
Hyer
Ricker
Tech
Burns*
Dust
Rosenwald
First Act Theatre Arts would like to extend special thanks to the following organizations and individuals for their generous contributions to this show.
John Rohr and the Goppert Center Staff for hosting this production
Evangel Church & Kaw Prairie Community Church for hosting our classes
Village Presbyterian for hosting our auditions & parent meetings
Erin Hillier & Darci Foster for being our tireless class coordinators
Josie Strickler for her dedicated service to our HEART program
Melissa Sellers & Steve Kleinschmidt for their excellent show photos
Dennis Ryan for the terrific show recordings
Rick Aldrich & Totally His Graphics for our awesome show shirts
Mikey Fletcher for his help with all things warehouse
Ginger Burns for her assistance with makeup
Jackie Ehler for her help with props
Pam Bray, Gina Milbourn, & Sharon Kleinschmidt for their assistance with the organization of our costumes
Dennis Hoge for creating Jack’s paintings
Taylor Ediger for creating the drawing of Katherine
Buck Arnhold for painting the Jacobi’s sign
The Coterie Theatre for loaning us props
Nick, Jeremiah, and Charlie for being our worship team
The First Act Board and Staff for all of their support
Our amazing parent committees and wonderful volunteers: without you, our show would never be possible!
Rana Schmidt for making our production run smoothly
Our wonderful Artistic Team for putting this show together
And most importantly, our LORD and Savior, Jesus Christ through whom all things are possible!
