By Lethbridge Herald on July 22, 2025.
Alexandra Noad
Lethbridge Herald
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The renowned musical based on the true events of the newsboys’ strike of 1899 took the stage in Lethbridge for 10 days, capturing audiences of all ages.
“Newsies the Broadway Musical,” based on the 1992 Disney film, came to the big stage at the Yates Memorial Theatre July 9-19.
The musical was produced by Phoenix Arts Co, a new theatre production company which aims to provide theatre experiences for youth as well as adults alike and the shows included a 50/50 for a scholarship to be awarded to a student at Chinook High School pursuing drama at the University of Lethbridge.
With all 42 performers and the production crew being from Lethbridge, many of whom are just starting their theatre careers, the show was definitely Broadway quality.
Newsies is one of my personal favourite musicals – I mean how could it not, I’m a journalist – and I admit to relating to Katherine Plumber, who is a journalist who becomes an ally to the striking newsboys and writes a front-page worthy story about the strike.
During her solo, she struggles with mixed emotions of excitement and anxiety, and questions her ability to write a story that highlights the young workers’ experiences – something as a reporter I have done many times.
The show consisted of many exhilarating dance numbers, entertaining fight scenes and the actors fearlessly ran up and down the aisles during the show, interacting with the audience.
The sheer stamina of the actors didn’t go unnoticed as they were also singing while moving their feet at lightning speed.
One of my personal highlights was hearing the audience audibly gasp when Jack Kelly learns something shocking about Katherine Plumber (I won’t spoil it, in case you’ve never seen the play or movie).
As Newsies is one of my favourite plays, I went in with high expectations and was left blown away. This is the first of many shows from Phoenix Arts Co. with Little Women being held next Spring and Mary Poppins next summer. More information on Phoenix Arts Co. can be found at phoenixartsco.com
12