With all that is currently going on in our country, it is appropriate that Pine Bush High School would choose “Newsies” for its annual musical. Just as many people today are standing up and speaking out against the ultra-rich who are taking advantage of the poor, middle class, and otherwise disadvantaged, “Newsies” tells the real-life story of another time in history when the underdogs stood up and fought back.

The play shares the story of the Newsboy Strike of 1899. A powerful and inspiring time in New York city when a band of orphans and runaway newsboys led by Jack Kelly, a newspaper delivery boy, show their strength by going on a two-week-long strike against the powerful New York newspaper publishers who attempt to take advantage of the boys by raising the price of the papers. Presenting a play like this one, a play that tackles economic struggles affecting the different social classes, as well as the very real consequences and benefits achieved by standing up to injustice, teaches our children much more than music and theater.

The play’s lead role, Jack Kelly, is played by PBHS sophomore Jeremy Henry. As a sophomore, Henry has quite a bit of experience on the stage, “I have been a part of musicals in this school district since the sixth grade. I also have been taking voice lessons for about three years. Throughout my years of performing at both Crispell Middle school and Pine Bush High School I have been a part of five musicals not including “Newsies.” I have played one of the Wickersham brothers in “Seussical,” Daniel in “Once on this Island,” Snoopy in “You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown,” Edgar in “Ragtime,” and Pugsley in “The Addams Family.” He’s not sure at this point what he’ll be doing in college, but it will likely have something to do with theater.

It’s clear that Henry has considered his role and the real-like Jack Kelly carefully. Henry admits that the role he plays in “Newsies” has definitely made him more aware of the benefits and advantages he has in life, “I’m not sure how I would be able to not only care for myself on the streets, but also for many other children who depend on him.” This young actor can feel the real pain of the character he plays, “One of my favorite moments in Newsies has to be Santa Fe due to its raw emotion. Santa Fe captures the whole breakdown of Jack Kelly. At the end of the day Jack is just a kid and he has hit his breaking point.”

While Jeremy Henry admits that he and Jack Kelly have at least their charismatic personalities in common, PBHS senior, Tiffany Beckford, plays the role of Crutchie, a crippled boy. For Beckford, who isn’t crippled and isn’t a boy, playing the role isn’t challenging at all, in fact, she says, it’s actually somewhat freeing, “I get to sing in a tenor range, which is great because I can sing strong in that range. Also, I won’t have to worry about, say, keeping a nice posture or acting “ladylike,” which is great because I get to be looser and freer with my actions.” Playing a character with a disability has also made Beckford more aware of how difficult it must be to not having full use of both legs, “Trying to figure out how to move around and dance with a crutch has been the hardest part of all of this. Also, being conscious of the fact that I have a disability has been challenging. Like for example, I have to constantly remember to keep my weight off my leg even when I’m standing doing nothing. I can’t let myself slip on things like that.”

Like Jeremy Henry and Tiffany Beckford, choreographer and assistant director Robin Meade also has a soft spot in her heart for Dance Captain Greg Michaels-Race, “I have had these three students since they were in middle school. They were part of the middle school drama club and have been doing shows together since. They also act as my interns now and help direct and run my middle school Drama Program.” Michaels-Race has been professionally trained in ballet, lyrical, contemporary, jazz, musical Theater, and tap at the Mitchell Performing Arts Center. He admits that the although the show can sometimes be stressful, it’s also lots of fun and that Mrs. Meade is “so awesome” because she makes “good brownies.” This kid is just plain enthusiastic about the whole situation, “I am incredibly excited to do “Newsies” because I love the dancing and choreography in the show. The male dancers in the original cast are insanely talented and inspiring so I was excited to get to dance like they do. The music is also great and so fun to sing.”

Brian Flint acts as director and musical director, the well-loved brownie-toting Robin Evans as choreographer and assistant director, and Ralph Wagner as technical director and orchestra director for the show, which will be presented on Friday, March 22 at 7p.m., and Saturday, March 23 at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m., in the Pine Bush High School auditorium. Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for students and senior citizens, and free for children under the age of 5. Reserve tickets by calling 845-744-2031, ext. 3194, stop by any school in the district or buy at the door.