BY WENDI REARDON PRICE
Clarkston News Staff Writer
The Clarkston High School Drama Club is putting final touches on the sets and dancing steps as they bring to the stage Disney’s Newsies: The Broadway Musical, Feb. 17-Feb. 20.
“It is really fun,” said senior Adrianna Daigle, bringing Newsies to life.
“There is so much energy,” added senior Jordan Livingston. “It’s good to have the energy back. It’s been fun to reconnect with people. Some of the songs have to do with what is going on in the world today.”
“I love the dancing of the show,” said senior Jon Roschefski. “I feel like it adds a different layer of complexity to it. It adds the fun we are showing on our faces and with our words is mirrored with the actions of the show.”
New York City newsboys go on strike when newspaper publisher Joseph Pulitzer makes it harder for the boys to make a buck.

Roschefski plays Jack Kelly, who is introduced at the beginning of the musical with Crutchy.
“Jack is singing a song about how he dreams of something greater,” Roschefski said. “That greater thing comes when the rich newspaper owner Pulitzer raises the price of the papers for the Newsies. At that point, we find it’s unjust to do so. We raise our voices.”
He added it was easy to get into character as Jack is also a teenager.
“You are being connected to everyone in the cast constantly just with the amount of time you spend with them and also singing about coming together and standing up for what’s right,” Roschefski said. “It makes you want to do the same in your own life.”
Daigle plays Finch, another newsboy.
“It’s been really fun because I am usually with all the other Newsies,” she said. “We are just high energy all the time. Even in the scenes we don’t have much to do we are all having fun with it. With the songs we get to let loose.”
Livingston plays Medda Larkin.
“It’s super fun,” she said. ” At the beginning you sing all the songs, then as it progresses you learn so much you wouldn’t have thought about. It’s hard to get into character of a Burlesque star. It’s definitely so fun to tap into it. It’s helps me with my confidence because she is so big and confident. She knows when she stands and being a motherly figure to Jack is so fun.”
The trio added it’s a good show for all ages.
“It’s Disney so the kids love a good Disney moment,” Livingston said, adding is has relatable topics. “I think people in the audience can connect to it in their own ways especially now.”
“It brooches the darker themes,” Roschefski said. “It’s through kids eyes because that’s how old the kids are in the show.”
“It’s about coming together and fighting for something that’s right for everyone,” Daigle added. “Caring about one another. The music is fun and energetic. Even if the kids don’t understand the meaning of it. They will still enjoy it.”
“Newsies”: The Broadway Musical is at Clarkston High School Performing Arts Center with 7 p.m. shows on Thursday, Feb. 17, Friday, Feb. 18, and Saturday, Feb. 19. A matinee show for 2 p.m. is Sunday, Feb. 20.
Tickets are $15 for adults and $13 for students and seniors. Tickets may be purchased at http://clarkstonhigh.csstix.com or by calling 248-623-4024.
“It’s a breath of fresh air after these couple years. Seeing a story on stage is so different than movies,” Livingston said. “I think people will be very excited to have it come back this year.”
Newsies is based on the Disney film written by Bob Tzudiker and Noni White. Originally produced for Broadway by Disney Theatrical Productions.