EXTRA! EXTRA!
DISNEY THEATRICAL PRODUCTIONS TO OFFER VIRTUAL THEATRE TRIP TO SCHOOLS ACROSS THE UK WITH NEWSIES: THE BROADWAY MUSICAL
“Stop the presses! Newsies is an irresistible, high energy winner!” – Entertainment Weekly
With theatre trips across the UK still unable to happen Disney Theatrical Productions is stepping in to offer schools across the UK a virtual theatre trip with free access to the filmed stage version of Newsies: The Broadway Musical,and wraparound educational content. The programme is in partnership with local arts organisations and regional theatres, to offer the package to as many schools nationwide as possible.
The musical film will be available for participating schools to watch between 14 June – 23 July, and all schools will be provided with supplementary educational content to support learning in the classroom including a study guide, a video talkback with the US production team, and a dance tutorial video for the musical’s hit Seize The Day as part of Disney Theatrical’s Get Up and Go wellness campaign.
“Irresistible, inspirational storytelling in the best possible sense! Galvanizing songs and
exhilarating melodies!” David Rooney, Hollywood Reporter
With the impact of Covid-19 on theatres and schools, Disney is committed to innovating new ways for students to remain engaged with the performing arts. By providing the Newsies virtual theatre trip, Disney is investing in the next generation of storytellers and inspiring them to create the futures they imagine.
Nancy Shakerley, Education and Outreach Manager for Disney Theatrical said, “Access to theatre and the arts should be the right of every child. It felt important this year when schools are unable to schedule theatre trips, to find a way to provide the stimulus of live performance to every student. With our award-winning production of Newsies, we have the opportunity to share a production never seen in the UK, to begin new thoughts and conversations, but most of all to bring the joy that only theatre can provide.”
“Newsies is a corker of a musical, Disney’s happiest outing since The Lion King! Surely the most exuberant dancing currently on the Rialto.” Variety
Set in New York City at the turn of the century, Tony Award-winning Newsies is the rousing tale of Jack Kelly, a charismatic newsboy and leader of a ragged band of teenaged “Newsies,” who dreams only of a better life far from the hardship of the streets. But when publishing titans Joseph Pulitzer and William Randolph Hearst raise distribution prices at the newsboys’ expense, Jack finds a cause to fight for and rallies Newsies from across the city to strike for what’s right. Newsies is inspired by the real-life Newsboys’ Strike of 1899, when newsboys Kid Blink and David Simons led a band of orphan and runaway children on a two-week-long action against newspaper publishers Pulitzer and Hearst.
With music by Alan Menken, and lyrics by Jack Feldman, the 2012 original Broadway production of Newsies won Tony Awards for Best Original Score, and Best Choreography for Christopher Gattelli.
For all resources, and to sign up for the initiative, teachers should visit www.disneytheatricaleducation.co.uk
The virtual screening and materials will be available via a unique passcode, and full instructions will be provided to schools.
DISNEY THEATRICAL PRODUCTIONS (DTP) operates under the direction of Thomas Schumacher bringing live entertainment events to a global audience of more than 20 million people a year in more than 50 countries. Current London: The Lion King, which recently celebrated its 20th anniversary at The Lyceum, and Mary Poppins at the Prince Edward Theatre. Other London credits: Aladdin, the Olivier-nominated play Shakespeare in Love and DTP’s inaugural production Beauty and the Beast, which won the Olivier Award for Best Musical. Other productions on Broadway and around the world: Newsies, Peter and the Starcatcher, The Little Mermaid, Mary Poppins, a co-production with Cameron Mackintosh, TARZAN® and Elton John & Tim Rice’s Aida. Other successful stage musical ventures have included productions of Disney’s High School Musical, Der Glöckner Von Notre Dame in Berlin, and King David in concert.
Worldwide, its ten Broadway titles have been seen by over 200 million theatregoers, and have been nominated for 20 Olivier Awards, winning the honour five times. When performances resume worldwide, Disney Theatrical Productions’ slate of 20 produced or licensed productions will mean a Disney musical is being performed professionally somewhere on the planet virtually every hour of the day.