A rehearsal of the performance of Disney’s Newsies. Submitted photo

FREWSBURG – Disney’s Newsies will come to life onstage at Frewsburg Central School this weekend.

The performance depicts the history of the newsboy strike of 1899. Shaun Laska, artistic director and district math/computer science teacher, Shaun Laska stated that the musical originated as a film, later being adapted into a Tony award-winning Broadway musical. The plot follows a young newsboy named Jack Kelly, and his many friends, that rally together to challenge the publishers of the paper. The boys go on to form a union, negotiating better wages and conditions.

“We have a mix of students, and also faculty and other community members, that are playing in our pit for the musical, so they’re providing their accompaniment essentially. Also Jennifer Sears, she is the musical director for the show. She has basically been the person kind of doing all of our vocal coaching, as well as our rehearsal accompanist,” said Laska. “My wife Alicia, she is conducting the pit as well as having done some of the work on the sets.”

Laska stated that the students have been in rehearsal since January, being conducted regularly after school. Laska noted that he and wife Alica worked to create the main portion of the set, which is supposed to give an authentic New York City feel. Laska stated that the set will include fire escapes and ladders to pull together the old city feel. The large set pieces are also able to move about the stage to help set various different scenes and backgrounds for the play. Additionally, the show will be utilizing the auditorium’s projection system for some of the backgrounds and details.

“We’re really very happy with our music department here at Frewsburg. We feel like we have a lot of support from our administration, our school board, from our community. They’re very committed to supporting us in terms of giving us the opportunities to really work with these kids and get the best performances out of them,” said Laska. “The kids have worked very hard, especially because they’re very busy. You know, they’re in sports and other activities and they messed their schedules around so they can attend rehearsals and really be there.

The musical will be held in the Harry J. Murray Auditorium at Frewsburg Central School, with three performances scheduled. Performances will occur on March 27 at 7 p.m, and March 28 at both 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Tickets for the event are required for entry. For more information contact 716-569-7055.