TMP’s Newsies Jr. a Hit in Schoharie

SCHOHARIE — The Timothy Murphy Playhouse (TMP) brought its production of Newsies Jr. to Schoharie High School for a three-show run from Friday, August 7th to Sunday, August 9th. With performers ranging in age from 5 to 17, the cast of roughly thirty took to the stage to sing, dance, and perform their way through the stage adaptation of the 1992 Disney musical film. Inspired by the real-life New York City newsboy strike of 1900, Newsies Jr. tells the story of the fictionalized newsboy-turned-union leader, Jack Kelly, as he and the other newsies organize to take on Joseph Pulitzer. 

Renovations on the Middleburgh High School auditorium led to TMP, now in its 31st year, relocating to SCS for the 2026 season. "We're hoping to be back in Middleburgh next year and are thankful for SHS housing us this year," says producer Howard E. Huth. Director Antonio Brooks and Choreographer/Musical Director Sarah Clermont led the cast through the Jr. adaptation of the hit Broadway musical, which was made available to schools and youth theater groups in 2022. Brody Shaver stepped into the lead role as Jack Kelly, sharing the stage with some familiar faces from regional school productions like Sophia Rehberg, Juliet Bradshaw, and Corbin Foster, alongside a bevy of newcomers to the local stage. 

The musical comes preloaded with plenty of excitement. If a group of exploited young workers organizing to take on a corporate Goliath doesn't give you even the urge to pump your fist in solidarity, you may want to evaluate your priorities. But it takes something more to deliver that level of excitement. Make it convincing enough, and the audience is sure to support "the cause" with rousing cheers, which is precisely what the cast of Newsies Jr. succeeded in doing in the SCS auditorium. The families, friends, and community that showed up for the performers responded with standing ovations across three shows. 

The cast lined the hallway after the show, receiving flowers and accolades from attendees. For the cast and crew, the weekend's performances were the culmination of weeks of hard work and dedication during their summer vacation, learning dance moves, cues, and songs, with sets to maneuver and costume changes to hasten through. But they also clearly had fun, and some seemed moved by the overwhelmingly positive response. 

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