The Disney musical “Newsies” was performed at Westfield Academy and Central School on Friday and Saturday. The cast of more than 100 included 95 students in grades 7-12 and some teachers and community members. Photos by David Prenatt

WESTFIELD – The production of the Disney musical “Newsies” at Westfield Academy and Central School Friday and Saturday was nearly as big a challenge as the actual 1899 newspaper carriers strike, on which the movie and Broadway version were based. And it was every bit as memorable.

The cast of more than 100, including 95 students in grades 7-12 and some teachers and community members, delivered an evening full of dance, song, laughter, and drama and had the audience members on their feet at the end of both acts.

Westfield Academy’s production of “Newsies” was directed by music instructor, Kent Knappenberger, and choreographed by Chaz Bruce.

It was the first time in 30 years that a WACS’ musical production was completely sold out in advance both nights. The story, originally a 1992 Disney musical comedy-drama and later performed on Broadway, was based on the New York City newsboys’ strike of 1899. The musical tells the story of how the newsboys in New York City formed a union to protest the arbitrary increase in the price of papers.

After several days of struggle, the newsies from across the city, aided by the daughters of Joseph Pulitzer and William Randolph Hearst, triumph over the publishing titans. A compromise is reached when the publishers agree to buy back any leftover papers at the end of the day.

The compromise effectively ended the strike because the boys, no longer had to ask, as the character Davey did: “Whatever I don’t sell, you’ll buy back, right?” The boys who had trouble selling all their papers would no longer be forced to sell late into the night or suffer a loss.

Some of the lead roles were played by Luke Stephenson as Jack, Grace Bodenmiller as Katherine, Austin Presto as Davey, Brad Belmondo as Crutchie, Collin and Cody Hoffman as Les, Sarah Tilley as Medda Larkin, and Brock Schuster as Race. The lead roles were superb in their performances, as was the entire cast.

The intensity of the performance was augmented by cast members leaving the stage to sing and dance at the level of the audience. The pit band, led by conductor Helen Ihasz, sustained the energy with flawless sound.