The show must go on!
Plans are in place for the Westmoreland Jr./Sr. High School Drama Department to present its annual spring musical in accordance with COVID-19 protocols – at a very special venue. 
In order to safely accommodate a limited audience, this year’s musical, Newsies, is scheduled to take place at The Stanley Theatre in Utica on Friday, May 14, and Saturday, May 15, at 7:00 p.m. For those unable to attend one of the live performances, recordings of the musical will be streamed on Sunday, May 16, for a small fee. The Friday performance will be streamed at 2:00 p.m. and the Saturday performance will be streamed at 7:00 p.m.
“We started the school year telling the kids that we would find a way for the show to go on, but I really had no idea how that was going to happen with COVID-19 restrictions and our limited space,” said Mrs. Emily Davis, Jr./Sr. High School music teacher and director of the musical. “When Superintendent of Schools Mr. Migliori suggested The Stanley Theatre as a venue, I honestly was not sure if he was serious. Within a few hours, he helped us make the necessary arrangements and away we went.”
"I have been performing at The Stanley every year since I was four years old,” added Clare Calogero, senior cast member. “As a long time participant in The Nutcracker, I was devastated when last year’s rendition was canceled and I would not be able to perform at The Stanley one final time. Fortunately, I am now getting that chance. I am so excited that we get to perform Newsies at The Stanley and could not be more grateful to the school for this opportunity to cap off my senior year on a high note.”
Newsies, the Disney film turned Tony-winning Broadway hit, inspires everyone to fight for what’s right and seize the day. Set in turn-of-the century New York City, Newsies is the rousing tale of Jack Kelly, a charismatic newsboy and leader of a band of teenaged "newsies." When titans of publishing raise distribution prices at the newsboys’ expense, Jack rallies newsies from across the city to strike against the unfair conditions and fight for what's right!
Based on the 1992 motion picture and inspired by a true story, Newsies features a Tony Award-winning score by Alan Menken (Little Shop of Horrors, Sister Act) and Jack Feldman and a book by Tony Award winner Harvey Fierstein (Kinky Boots). Featuring the now classic songs “Carrying the Banner,” “Seize the Day” and “Santa Fe,” Newsies is packed with non-stop thrills and a timeless message, perfect for the whole family and every audience.
In compliance with COVID-19 capacity protocols, only 93 tickets will be sold for each in-person performance. Tickets will first be reserved for family and friends of the cast. If any tickets remain, they will go on sale to the general public starting Monday, May 10. The cost of a ticket is $10.
The two streams of the musical on Sunday, May 16, are being offered through “Showtix4U.” The cost to view a stream is $12.95 and a stream can be purchased in advance. A portion of the proceeds from the streams will be donated to the Jr./Sr. High School Drama Club to help defray the cost of the musical. To purchase a stream, click here.
“The kids have met every obstacle with a positive attitude, including distancing in the blocking and wearing clear masks to voluntary COVID-19 screenings on a weekly basis,” chimed Mrs. Davis. “I am so proud of this group of students. They have shown that life is not defined by our circumstances, but what we make of them.”
For more information, please contact Mrs. Davis at (315) 557-2616 or edavis@westmorelandschool.org.
To download the program, click here.