LONG BEACH, Calif. — Musical Theatre West’s latest production is ripped from the headlines. Labor disputes. Youth demonstrations. Women’s rights. A living wage.
Sounds like present day, but it’s actually the story of the Newsboys Strike of 1899. The show is "Disney’s Newsies," and this is the second time director Jeffry Denman has tackled the material.
“I am a big, big fan of historical musical theater, shows that take, you know, something that really happened in our world and musicalize it,” he explained. “It’s a really great way to celebrate and articulate the themes of the story in a different way.”
There is definitely a fascinating history to discover between the high kicks and huge notes of Newsies. The actual strike lasted a few weeks, but the ripple effects carried on a lot longer, inspiring similar movements across the country and shining a light on child labor.
“Especially young workers who were being taken advantage of because they were cheap labor,” Denman said. “They didn’t have a lot of power separately. Banding together, they did.”
Of course, it wasn’t just the newsboys who were fighting for their rights. Women wouldn’t be allowed to vote for another few decades and journalism, like most industries at the time, was dominated by men. Which is why Monika Peña has long had the role of Katherine Plumber on her bucket list.
“She’s also fighting her own battles and trying to shatter the glass ceiling as a woman in journalism,” Peña said. “She is a little frustrated, as rightly so. And I think we’re still fighting a lot of that stuff still today.”
She stars opposite Dillon Klena who is headlining in the role of Jack Kelly for the fourth time. The West Covina Native says he sees the King of New York and his cohorts as inspirational.
“This strike, you know, really opened up the eyes of many people to, you know, what youth can do in a society,” he said. “I think it’s huge. And I feel like that’s why 'Newsies' is so important for today, because it gives the youth of today a voice.”
“This show is full of hope,” Peña said. “Hope for the future, hope in the kids and our next generation. Hope that as we come together, we can make a difference in this world.”
Denman didn’t just direct this production, he also choreographed it — a fresh take on the dance heavy show that he says is timeless in its themes.
“The themes of brotherhood and protecting one another, looking out for the little guy,” he said. “We use our voices to say what we are not content with, especially when it comes to how we are being treated. And I think that that’s a very prominent theme today.”