Fall musical returns to Hampton Middle School

For the first time since 2019, Hampton Middle School is able to stage a full-fledged fall musical.

Back then, the students who will take part in presenting “Newsies Jr.” were in elementary school.

“It’s different, because you have all these kids who aren’t used to the production,” director Greg Shumaker said about the musical’s return after its pandemic-related hiatus. “So there’s a little learning curve on that.”

But he reported that the students have adapted quickly and are excited about the performances scheduled for Nov. 17-19 in the school auditorium. Showtime is 7 p.m. all three days, plus a 1 o’clock matinee on Saturday.

“‘Newsies’ is just a great musical. It’s full of great songs and dance and energy,” he said. “I chose it because a lot of kids can be onstage and a lot of the fun can be had by everybody.”

In fact, about 100 students in sixth through eighth grades are involved as members of the cast, crew and musicians in the orchestra pit.

A 60-minute version of the 2012 Broadway musical, which in turn is based on Walt Disney Pictures’ 1992 film, “Newsies Jr.” tells the story of Jack Kelly, a rebellious newsboy who dreams of a life as an artist away from his New York City home.

After publishing giant Joseph Pulitzer raises newspaper prices at the newsboys’ expense, Jack and his fellow “newsies” take action. With help from reporter Katherine Plumber, the entire city soon recognizes the power of “the little man.”

Playing the roles of Jack and Katherine, respectively, are seventh-grader Jordan Schafer and eighth-grader Rosha Kazemi.

In 2021, Hampton Middle School students had the opportunity to present a revue.

“We called it ‘The Above-Average Award Show,’ where we kind of looked back at the last 15 years or so of musicals,” Shumaker said. “We still had to wear masks to perform. But it was good. The kids had fun. We had a great show, and it was a great turnout.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of Shumaker, a history teacher, directing school musicals. He has been working with them in some capacity for more than 15 years.

“The teacher across the hall did it, and I would help her out. I was doing a lot of tech stuff and producing on the back end of it,” he said. “I like the challenge, so here I am.”

Tickets for “Newsies Jr.” are $10, available for purchase at www.showtix4u.com/events/24609/?event=68236&date=180655. They also will be sold at the door.