Newsies Jr. with Virden Collegiate actors entertained audiences in the Aud Theatre with four shows. Applause, laughter and sometimes whoops and cheers followed scene after scene.
Director Luke Munchinsky became the new VCI choir and drama teacher in September 2022, following Michelle Chyzyk’s retirement from her lengthy career with VCI. As noted in the printed program: “Bravely stepping into the distinguished role of VCI’s choir and drama teacher, Mr. Luke Munchinsky has continued the tradition of producing a musical.”
Munchinsky has carved out his own path, having played in over 15 musicals. He’s a musician in his own right and has had the experience of singing with Chyzyk’s Konetkis Choir.
The performances were inspiring. Dylan Southam as Jack Kelly anchored the story along with Crutchie played by Brynn McGrath/Josie Waldner (alternating) Davey Jacobs (Evan Terin) Les Jacobs (Avrin Krieser).
VCI actors and behind the scenes volunteers have had an enriched education in the performing arts with teachers over the years and in acting opportunities with Virden and District Chorale.
Newsies Jr. included a team effort says Munchinsky, “There were a ton of workers and people involved. It takes a mountain of work to make one of these things happen and I'm really grateful for all the people who stepped up to make it all work.” Upwards of 30 different people helped out “with things like props, costumes, sets, etc. and some of those people were involved in four different roles.”
Munchinsky also enlisted directing assistance from another volunteer, his father, Dean Munchinsky. As well as being a stage actor/singer, Dean has helped with stage direction and set creation over the years in Chyzyk’s productions.
Munchinsky said of his father, “Dean… is great at getting lots out of actors through one-on-one work, so he was able to take their performances to a much more fully realized place and share his acting expertise. He… was great at sharing insight and guidance throughout the process.”
“This is the first time that I’ve worked with anybody besides Michelle,” said Dean. He was thrilled to work with his son and said, “We’re getting to know each other in a different way- he’s the guy who’s in charge and I’m helping here and there.”
The energy of some 29 high school students was harnessed to bring the true story of the strike in New York City in 1899. Disenfranchised youth who pedalled the newspapers each morning on the streets of New York City halted distribution when Joseph Pulitzer and William Randolph Hearst raised prices to the newspaper hawkers from 50 cents/hundred copies to 60 cents.
The Newsies Jr. cast acted out the conflict and struggle in the lives of these disenfranchised kids and the pain and peril of street life and of staging a strike.
The climax of Newsies Jr. comes about when Pulitzer’s (Raphial Fehr) own daughter Katherine (Daelyn Fefchak/Jenaya Thiessen) becomes a ‘hard news’ reporter in a time when women were finding new roles. She effectively speaks truth to power (her own father) and breaks the story of the plight of the Newsies to the public.
Strike leader Jack confronts Pulitzer with a deal that forces the World and the Journal to offer full buybacks to their newsies, thus increasing the amount of money the newsies received for their work.
In the closing scene, Governor Teddy Roosevelt (VCI Principal Mark Keown) speaks in Newsie square condemning the abuses of street kids which came to light through the newspaper and through drawings of protagonist Jack Kelly. The governor declares: “Today you’ve demonstrated the power of standing together for what is right. I believe the future, in your hands, will be bright and prosperous….”
