‘Newsies’ to hit the Glenn Massay Friday

PALMER — Friday, starting at 7 p.m., the Glenn Massay Theater will feature the massive, high-energy cast of “Newsies.” After a year and several months of preparation, this local production of the classic Disney musical will come to life here in the Mat-Su Valley.

“I’m excited. It’s going to be a great show,” Producer AJ Seims said.

“Newsies the Musical” is a play based on the 1992 Disney film “Newsies,” which in turn was inspired by the actual 1899 Newsboys Strike in New York City.

“These Newsy kids, they fought for what they believe in and ended up winning,” Seims said.

Seims said this is the biggest production he’s ever worked on. He said that this show features 62 cast members and about 100 people total with the crew. He said they’ve been preparing since September of 2017.

Seims brought in his old college professor from Brigham Young University, Rodger Sorensen to direct the show.

“He’s an amazing guy, an amazing director. He’s the best director I know,” Seims said.

Seims said having Sorensen direct “Newsies” frees him up to perform on stage. Seims will play the role of Joseph Pulitzer, the newspaper publisher who serves as the musical’s chief antagonist. He said that he’s acted small parts here and there but his last major role was three years ago in “Fiddler on the Roof,” which Sorensen also directed.

“I enjoy directing but acting has always been my passion,” Seims said.

Actor and choreographer Beau Sheets said that working on this production has been a “dream come true” because she gets to star in her dream role (Katherine the reporter) and getting to work inside the Glenn Massey Theater with such a dedicated crew. She said that she’s especially enjoyed working with the children.

“I’ve seen them grow a lot,” Sheets said.

Sheets has been a choreographer for three years. She said that this is the biggest project she’s ever worked on. She said that she knows every actor’s line by heart because “Newsies” is her all-time favorite show. She said the story of young people triumphing over adversity and injustice not only makes for an effective story, but traverses time.

“The ideas they’re fighting for is applicable to the issues we deal with today,” Sheets said.

Sheets relished the idea of getting to do a show inside the Glenn Massey Theater, the biggest and most illustrious theater in the Mat-Su Valley.

“It’s huge. It’s just really beautiful,” Sheets said. “I think it creates such a wonderful opportunity for theater in the Valley that I think we wouldn’t have otherwise.”

Newsies runs until Feb. 2. To purchase tickets, see glennmassaytheater.com.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com