Explosive show ‘Newsies’ set for CHHS stage

By Chris Brown on January 25, 2019.

cbrown@medicinehatnews.com @MHNBrown

It’s finally here.

Years after a workshop with the director and set designer of “Newsies” put the show at the top of Jennifer Davies’ list, it’s finally here.

“Since 2013 it’s been a bit of passion project for me, we’ve had the rights to it for a long time,” Davies said last week. “I have been fixated on ‘Newsies’ for a long time. I saw it that summer and have seen ‘Newsies’ on Broadway four times since then. I was just absolutely always been blown away with how large of a show it is. It’s such an explosive show and I thought ‘This is perfect for Crescent Heights.'”

The curtain rises at Crescent Heights High School at 7 p.m. on Jan. 30, with shows following Jan. 31-Feb. 2 and Feb. 5-9.

It’s such a large show that it contains the largest set ever built at Crescent Heights. Built by shop teacher Randy Knight and former principal Pat Grisonich, Davies says in total it’s 44 feet across the stage, one section alone is 20-feet wide, and they each turn and move on and off the stage. She says it creates different levels on the stage which allows for more singers and dancers to be featured.

Davies attended another workshop last year with Broadway “Newsies” set designer Tobin Ost. She recalls he was impressed that it was way different from what he’d done, adding Ost told her he likes when groups take his ideas and improve on them.

“I really think we’ve done that with our set design,” Davies said. “They’re quite complex, they’re unique and they’re different than what you may have seen on Broadway or what other theatre groups would do. A lot of groups replicate what was done on Broadway and we’ve come up with our own vision and are very proud of it.”

A large show requires a large cast, and at 80 students this is one of the largest in recent years.

“For this type of show that’s so complex it’s very difficult with 80 students but is such a wonderful, wonderful fit,” Davies said. “Each student brings with them a special talent so everybody’s tremendously talented at something and we try our best to feature that.”

Other challenges with the large show include lighting everyone properly, the number of microphones in use and graphics for the projections. She credits Marni Semrau’s help on the graphics and a large group of parents working backstage for making everything run smoothly. And the live orchestra, rather unique in Medicine Hat theatre, adds its own special touch.

All in all it makes for an elaborate show, Davies said.

“I think the audiences will just sit back and be in awe.”

For ticket information visit chhsweb.ca

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