Disney’s smash Broadway adaptation of the cult hit movie musical, Newsies, is coming to the Pied Piper Theatre in Manassas.
Winning the rights to do the show is a coup for the Center for the Arts at the Candy Factory Director Beverly Hess and Pied Piper Theatre Director Anne Ridgeway.
Earlier this year as both attempted to build the 2018-2019 Pied Piper Theatre season, they got frustrated. It seemed that every show they were interested in was on tour, and the rights were not available, at any price.
That is until Ridgeway had a crazy idea.
“What about Newsies?” asked Ridgeway.
Not expecting to win the show, she went online. Sure enough, the performance rights for the show were not available until April 1, 2018. Hoping against hope, she called Hess, and the pair worked to prepare a licensing proposal.
March 31 proved to be a long day, for Ridgeway, and at precisely 12:01 a.m, on Sunday, April 1, she hit the send button, and transmitted Pied Piper’s application to New York City.
She settled in and prepared to wait. But she didn’t wait long.
Bright and early, Monday morning, Ridgeway got to work and opened her email and learned they got the rights to the show.
Ridgeway rushed into Hess’ office, where the two women sat down and, with the helpful addition of popcorn from an excited coworker, watched a video of “Newsies: The Broadway Musical.”
As the credits rolled, they made their final decision to do the show and wrote the check to secure the rights.
Broadway dance classes sell out
“Newsies” is chock full of multiple high-energy dance numbers, and the excitement about the show was instantaneous.
As soon as word went out about the coming musical, which, many of Pied Piper’s summer classes, such as Broadway Dance for Actors, sold out—leaving the Center for the Arts the Candy Factory staff scrambling to add more sessions.
With new sessions added, the center opened additional seats for children and teenagers ages 5 to 18 who might be interested in any of the Center for the Arts educational and camps.
Auditions will be Oct. 12 from 5 to 9 p.m., and October 13, beginning at 9 a.m. Callbacks will be on October 14 at 12:30 p.m.
The show opens at the Hylton Performing Arts Center in Manassas on January 12, 2019.
“Newsies” is being directed by David Johnson, who grew up performing with Pied Piper starting in 2003, and who graduated high school in 2011.
If you would like more information on all the Center’s offerings, check them out at center-for-the-arts.org.
Here’s the rest of the theater season at Center for the Arts at the Candy Factory:
Pied Piper
Enchanted Sleeping Beauty: Auditions Aug. 30 and Sept. 1, 2o18
Performances: October 27, 2018, at 2 pm and 7 p.m. and October 28 at 3 pm at Metz Middle School
“Annie” Auditions TBD
Performances: May 11, 2019, at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. and May 12 at 3 p.m. at Hylton Performing Arts Center
Pied Piper Theatre casts singers, dancers and actors ages 8-18.
Rooftop Productions,
“A Christmas Carol” (Broadway Version) Nov.24 through December 9, 2018
“Murder on the Menu” opening Feb. 8 through 16, 2019
“Godspell” (revised 2012 version) April 5 through 20, 2019
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