Newsies Jr

Thank you for the warm welcome from the Front of House team - Karen Holder, Beccy Burgess, Esther Coleman‑Smith, Jason Smith & Tina Adams, it was lovely to be welcomed and introduced to Liam Petruccio-Hall (Director) before the show.

Set against the bustling backdrop of 1899 New York, Spotlight Theatre delivered a spirited and heartfelt production of Newsies, bringing energy, grit and real emotional depth to this much‑loved musical. From the opening shouts of the headline‑hawking youngsters to the triumphant final moments, this was a show driven by teamwork, commitment and a clear passion for storytelling.

The young cast captured the chaos and camaraderie of the newsboys brilliantly. Their number, Carrying the Banner, set the tone with confident vocals and lively movement, immediately drawing the audience into the world of street‑smart kids fighting to survive.

Brogan Haynes led the company with a strong and charismatic performance as Jack Kelly. His vocals in Santa Fe were heartfelt and controlled, and he brought a natural ease to the role that anchored the production. (A real goosebump moment for me!) His partnership with Preston Nash as Crutchie was especially touching; their friendship felt genuine, and Preston’s sincerity shone through in every scene.

Theo Carey, making his first appearance with Spotlight as Davey, gave a thoughtful and grounded performance, balancing Jack’s impulsiveness with calm determination. Nellie Mason as Les was full of charm and confidence, bringing humour and warmth to the trio.

Emily Holder delivered a standout performance as Katherine. Watch What Happens is no easy task, yet she handled it with clarity, intelligence and excellent diction, capturing Katherine’s drive and independence.

Daniel Ivan brought authority and presence to Pulitzer, while Sophie Benner as Medda lit up the stage with Just a Pretty Face, a new addition that she performed with flair and confidence.

The reimagined female newsies — Muriel – Grace Moroziuk, Pigtails – Megan Holder, Hazel- Jess Griffiths, and Nancy – Jess Blackman, and the rest of the cast, blended seamlessly into the world of the show, proving that strong character work transcends traditional casting. The Bowery Beauties, now the Bowery Brigade, for the junior show, added a fresh dynamic that worked well within the updated concept.

Hemi Lewis as Race brought attitude and humour, and the full company shone in ensemble numbers such as Seize the Day, King of New York and Once and for All, where choreography, vocals and storytelling came together powerfully. (Choreography – Bethany Wear and Co-choreographer Madelyn Prichard.) I loved the tap elements of the show, used particularly well in the scene transistions.

Musically this show was excellent. Musical Director Vickey Moroziuk and assistant Laura McChrystal had obviously worked hard to create lovely harmonies and encouraged characterisation through the music, including diction, tone and accent. All excellent. Liam, as director you brought all these themes and ideas together and I commend you for it.

The production was supported by a dedicated backstage and technical team whose work deserves recognition:

Stage Manager: Laura McChrystal with Assistant Stage Manager: Roman Moroziuk, Deputy Stage Manager: Nigel Newton kept the fast pace and energy of the show going. The dynamic lighting created a moody background and the staging with scaffold levels created depth and hight which enabled the cast to enter and exit smoothly. (Lighting Design: Abby Catto, Sound Design: Rob Kettridge ad Sound 2: Bronwen Webster.) Lighting and sound were well balanced throughout, with Abby Catto’s lighting design adding atmosphere and drama, particularly in the darker scenes involving the Refuge. The costumes and props were created by the Spotlight team, with exacting standards, (costume Co‑ordinator: Sophie Petruccio‑Hall) with many props made in house. Era specific cretins and a subtle pallet of colours was excellent. Over all the costumes were well coordinated and helped define character quickly and clearly.

I’d like to thank the Child Protection Lead: Amanda Hall and chaperones & their co‑ordinator Kath Chambers, and all the chaperones who work tirelessly to create a safe space for the cast and indeed the young people could not perform without this hard-working team.

Photography: Martin Holtom & Liam Petruccio‑Hall was great, your programme was full of lovely photos and clever details that indicated an old-fashioned newspaper. Sadly, you did not include the NODA logo and words, so I cannot enter it into our competition, where I know it would have done very well.  Your social media: (Laura McChrystal) was well designed and plenty of it, well done.

What stood out most was the sense of unity within the company. The young performers supported one another beautifully, both onstage and off, and their enthusiasm was infectious. The strike scenes had real punch, and the quieter moments were handled with maturity beyond their years.

Spotlight Theatre should feel incredibly proud of this production. It was energetic, heartfelt and full of the spirit of young people discovering their voice — exactly what Newsies is all about.

A huge well done to everyone involved.

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