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Holladay Theatre’s inaugural performance of "Newsies" is coming soon! Doors will open at the Olympus High School Performing Arts Center for the debut performance on Aug. 21. A cast of 87 members, ranging in ages from 6 to 82, will take the stage at 7 p.m., including Holladay Mayor Rob Dahle and Councilmember Paul Fotheringham, who successfully auditioned and landed cameo roles.

“When auditions were held, the Holladay Theatre Company invited the entire community to participate. Everyone who wanted to be part of the show had a place in it,” said Erin Chase, marketing and public relations manager. “The message here is that there is a place for anyone and everyone who wants to be involved in Holladay Theatre. Ninety percent of the cast for ‘Newsies’ consists of Holladay residents. A well-known line from ‘Newsies’ is, ‘We’re doing something here that has never been done before,’ which applies both to the story on stage and what is happening off stage. On stage, the focus is on the first-ever historical newsboy strike. Off stage, it's about coming together to build community theatre.”

The Broadway musical and later Disney adaptation of “Newsies” is loosely based on the historic newsboys strike of 1899. This event marked a significant moment in labor history, as newsboys in New York City protested against rising newspaper prices and unfair working conditions. A ragged group of orphaned newsies peddled papers for pennies a day for giants of the newspaper world, such as Joseph Pulitzer, who lived by the motto, "I tell the city how to think, I tell the city how to vote, I shape its future!"  

Weston Seiler takes the lead role in the performance as Jack Kelly originally played by Christian Bale in the 1992 Disney movie – and yes, Seiler’s talent is evident the moment he steps on stage. He can sing. He can dance. He can act.

“The reason I came out for this show was when I was young, I loved the movie, the dancing, and Broadway production. ‘Newsies’ is so incredible,” Seiler said. “I really think the main reason I auditioned though is the talent of the production team. There is such highend quality talent there that I don’t think most of the cast even realizes.” 

In order to comprehend the passion, family community and camaraderie among the actors you need to hear it directly from the Director and Dance Choreographer Susan DeMill and the cast members such as Archer Houts who sent in an audition video hoping to land the part of Les Jacobs, a precocious newsie and pint-sized charmer. There was only one problem, Houts hasn’t learned to tap dance yet.

“My dream is to learn to tap dance,” Houts, a young newsie in the play, said. “I watched the Broadway version of ‘Newsies’ and I really like the tap dancing in it. Since I didn’t get the part of Les, I knew I wouldn’t get to tap dance. I want to be a Broadway actor when I grow up.  I’m already 10 and I’ll be turning 11 in a week.”

“I love it that everyone here is so dedicated to performing in the play,” Bowery Beauties/newsie Norah Christensen said. “It’s just so much fun being here.”

“This is a family activity for me,” dance captain/newsie Hilary Biggart said. “I get to rehearse and perform with my mother and my daughter and it’s been the most incredible experience.”

“This cast is great at watching out for each other,” Josh Rayborn, who plays Mr. Wiesel,  said. “You’ll see everyone practicing lines together. We are led by such an amazing team who is helping to bring this together. Community theatre is such a great opportunity.”

“I’m in tears every single practice for how well this cast is performing,” DeMill said. “What is so unique about community theatre is that these people are not doing it because they are being paid. It’s because they all have heart. It’s like the difference between college football and professional football. They don’t get paid for being here, but what they have is passion and willingness to work hard and sweat. Last rehearsal, we were in the Little Cottonwood Room with 87 of us, and we were so hot and so crowded. But I’ll tell you there wasn’t a frown in sight. There was a smile on the face of every person. They were so happy just to be here.”

According to DeMill, as of July 1, the cast and crew has contributed a remarkable 3,686 cumulative volunteer hours blocking music, choreography rehearsals, learning lines, developing characters and building set pieces. 

“The cumulative volunteer hours demonstrate everyone’s deep commitment to this show and building a strong foundation for the future of live theater in Holladay,” DeMill said. “Behind the scenes, our talented costumer Nicole Probst, has already designed, collected and sewn an impressive 135 costumes bringing the world of ‘Newsies’ to life with authenticity and flair.” 

Performances will be held at Olympus High School, 4055 S. 2300 East, from Aug. 21-25 at 7 p.m. except on Sunday. There will be a matinee performance on Aug. 23 at 2 p.m.

Tickets are $10 per person. Children 2 and under receive complimentary admission if seated on a lap. Get $10 off every set of five tickets per performance, automatically applied at checkout up to a maximum of 20 tickets. Visit the Holladay Arts Council website to purchase tickets www.holladayarts.org.

Accessible seating is available. Please call 801-527-2677 if you need assistance or specific accommodations. An ASL interpreter will be provided for the Saturday matinee at 2 p.m.

For more information, reach out to Arts & Culture Manager Megan Attermann at [email protected] or 801-527-2677.