Trevecca Theatre presents Disney’s Newsies opening Oct. 31

By Lauren Steinbrook

News and Engagement Editor

Trevecca’s Theatre Department will open its fall season Friday, with the high-energy musical Disney’s Newsies in Benson Auditorium. 

The show will take place in Benson Auditorium in McClurkin. The show opens Oct. 31, with performances running through Nov. 9.

Disney’s Newsies is based on the 1899 Newsboys’ strike in New York City. Following Jack Kelly and the young boys who work for the newspapers in the city, who deliver newspapers and fight against powerful publishers of the time, who are taking advantage of working kids. 

Jules Twining, a senior theater education major who plays one of the newsies, said that the message of Newsies feels as relevant today as it was during 1899, that young people can change the world. 

“The message that young people can change the world, and it doesn’t take a lot, and it has ripple effects,” said Twining. “Last year, our season was ‘Hope in the Dark.’ I feel like I’m quoting that again, but there is hope in the dark. There’s always hope.” 

Twining described the production as “the danciest show Trevecca has ever done.” With nearly two dozen student performers, the show’s choreography challenges even seasoned dancers, blending ballet, tap, and acrobatics into the story’s movement.

“I think there are some stories that need to be told through strong movement, that need to be told through dance,” said Twining. “You can’t tell about a rebellion without feeling some sort of rage and a need to get up and do something.” 

Director Jeff Frame, Professor, Dramatic Arts And Communication Studies, said that he wanted to do a high energy dance musical in the fall, and said that few musicals have more high-energy dance than Newsies. 

Frame said that a show like this wouldn’t be possible if it wasn’t for the dedicated team of people who are involved. 

“I felt like this was an important show to do, where we are in our cultural conversations right now. It kind of fits into that,” said Frame. “The whole season is very intentional in doing that. But this group is one of the most collaborative groups I’ve ever worked with. They definitely share the load. They definitely leave lift each other’s arms up and support and love and care for each other.” 

The production’s expansive multi-level set and intricate choreography reflect how far Trevecca Theatre has come, especially considering that, just a few decades ago, dancing was prohibited on the university’s campus.

“This show really represents how much we’ve grown as a program and as a university,” said Twining. “We’re proving that Trevecca students can take on something this big and make it our own.”

Newsies will run Oct. 31–Nov. 9 at Benson Theatre in the McClurkan Building. Tickets are available online at trevecca.edu/theatre or by contacting the theatre department at theatre@trevecca.edu

Trevecca student tickets are $10 with a student ID. General admission tickets are $20, senior and children’s tickets are $15, and children 10 and under are $10.