By Michelle Kinsey—
MUNCIE, Ind. – Extra! Extra! Read all about it! Busy family reconnects through Muncie Civic musical “Newsies!”
For the Melham family, Muncie Civic has been the perfect way for this family to share some time – and a bunch of dance steps – together.
Kalyn Melham, 20, has been in other Civic productions and suggested the group effort for “Newsies
“During one of our conversations about her [Civic] experiences, she said, ‘Mom, there are sometimes families who do shows together, maybe you guys could sometime’,” Lynnea Melham recalled. “I told her that because of my work schedule and commitments at that time, that if there was ever a play I could audition for that didn’t require singing or a lot of speaking, just dancing basically, that I would audition.
“She came home just elated one day and announced that this is the play! ‘You can audition for dancing only for ‘Newsies’ and be any age!’ We were all pretty jazzed about the roles we were offered.”
Joining Kalyn and Lynnea are Kasia, 23, and dad Tom.
“Doing a play together is an excellent way for a family to connect and focus on something positive,” Lynnea said. “Something fun like a play at Civic has helped us to reconnect in a different way and immerse with other people in the community.”
A lot of other people, in fact.
“Over 100 volunteers have come together to make this show possible and it really is a feat of collaboration,” said Brittany Covert, director of the musical and Civic’s Marketing Director. “The cast is a wonderful mix of elementary, middle, high and college students, families, as well as many community members from all walks of life.”
“Newsies” is based on the true story of the 1899 Newsboy Strike in which the ‘newsies’ – typically children between 7-12 – organized and led a strike against two of the most popular newspaper titans of the time – Joseph Pulitzer and William Randolph Hearst, according to Covert.
“Shockingly, they won,” she added. “This really speaks to the power of what we can do together.”
Priscilla Ervin is the choreographer for the show, her 16th at Civic.
“I feel like the music was basically written to dance to,” she said. “It’s so catchy and rhythmical that you can’t help but want to move to it.”
But that can be a challenge.
“This whole show is a challenge,” Ervin said. “It is, I believe, the biggest show we have ever done at Muncie Civic Theatre. There is a reason that community theaters don’t often do this show. As a newsie, you spend 90 percent of your time on stage, singing and dancing your heart out in a way that is challenging for even professional performers. In ‘King of New York,’ these kids spend 5 literal minutes having a raucous party, tap dancing, leaping off tables, and singing, and acting, and have to make it all look effortless. …These actors aren’t professional but they have poured their hearts and souls into this.”
At Civic and at home.
“Practicing at home was pretty hilarious!” Lynnea said. “ We all tend to take commitment and performance seriously and so we would get the music going and just really get into it. Kalyn and Kasia were my dance coaches and we all worked hard at perfecting the dance routines. I’m still a work in progress. We would also help each other with lines and it was just fun.”
The best part of all of it, Lynnea said, has been the people. “There is so much diversity and amazing talent across the stage that I’ve actually felt a bit emotional standing up there with everyone,” she said. “It’s such an honor to be among these people. Every performer, director, and production crew member is equally invested in the show. These great stories need to be told and everyone takes that seriously. There is that huge sense of community that is evident with the desire to give back to our great community through this artistic vessel.
We’re fortunate to have the theater, Lynnea noted.
“Muncie is extremely, over-the-top blessed to have the directors and leaders that we have at Muncie Civic Theater,” she said. “We have the most amazing group of credentialed, well-seasoned individuals! I’m pretty certain that most people don’t realize what a treasure Civic is in our community. If you’ve been to a show at Civic and have noticed that it just seems ‘magical,’ I can assure you that there is no magic involved. The shows are amazing because of the incredibly talented individuals who commit countless hours to meticulously perfecting every single aspect of each scene. If you haven’t been to a show at Civic, you deserve the experience and should plan to go.”
Covert said “Newsies” is an experience we need.
“There is such an uplifting power to this show,” Covert said. “Everyone loves an underdog, but this show especially leaves the audience with a sense of hope, something I think everyone could use a bit of right now.”
Muncie Civic Theatre will present Disney’s “Newsies” Feb. 17-20 and 24-27 on its mainstage.
Thursday, Friday, and Saturday shows will begin at 7:30 p.m. and the Saturday and Sunday matinees will begin at 2:30 p.m. Mask-required performances with no concessions will be Thursday, Feb. 17, and Saturday, Feb. 26.
For tickets or more information, call (765) 288-PLAY or go to www.munciecivic.org.
