stage

Newsies take the stage

WM students bring Broadway favorite to life

By RALPH HARDIN

ralphhardin@gmail.com

The Academies of West Memphis continued their tradition of performing a spring musical this past weekend to rave reviews.

This year’s production was the musical “Newsies,” a Broadway-style play based on the 1992 film of the same name. “Newsies” tells the real-life story of the 1898 newsboy strike that saw the paperboys take on the industrialist Joseph Pulitzer over their wages and unfair working practices – all set to song and dance that saw the student performers swinging, tapping and rollicking all across the West Memphis PAC stage.

“These students and staff put their heart and soul into this performance and it is amazing to watch,” said director Amanda Kraft.

The newsboys work together to get a fair shake in their jobs. The story of “Newsies” is based on real events in New York City.

Photos courtesy of WMSD

The 1890s fashion really shows attention to detail.

The newsboys go toe-to-to with Joseph Pulitzer.

The Newsies lament their lot in life.

It’s showtime!