Young acting and musical talent will abound when the Student Summer Stock program presents “Newsies” at the Community Arts Center on July 26, 27 and 28.

Join Jack, Davey, Katherine, and others as they take a stand against Joseph Pulitzer’s unfair labor practices. Based on the 1992 motion picture and inspired by a true story, the “Newsboys Strike of 1899,” NEWSIES features a Tony Award-winning score by Alan Menken (Little Shop of Horrors, Sister Act) and Jack Feldman, and a book by Tony Award winner Harvey Fierstein (Kinky Boots).

The 2019 Student Summer Stock will be directed by Dr. C. Austin Hill, a Visiting Assistant Professor of Theatre at Lycoming College. Dr. Hill has directed over three-dozen productions and is excited to get to know the talented middle school and high school students in the greater Lycoming County area.

“I’ve been a fan of NEWSIES for decades, and I adore this stage version,” Hill told “Webb Weekly.” “This is the perfect show for the Student Summer Stock — it’s about the power of children to change their world —but only when they stick together and support one another. As a historian, the Newsboy’s Strike of 1899 (a bit of a misnomer, as newsgirls were major players too) has always been an inspiration to me.”

The Student Summer Stock program’s mission is to offer an opportunity for students to create alongside working professional theater-makers so they can bring new passion and skills back to their community and educational programs. The community looks forward to this production every summer, and it has become a true testament to the quality and quantity of available talent in the Greater Williamsport area. The Student Summer Stock at the CAC presents a student-centric show with professional production values to a large and enthusiastic audience in the beautiful Community Arts Center. Students from six area schools are represented in the cast of “Newsies.”

“We are excited to be presenting ‘Newsies’ with this talented group of local students. This program is a great opportunity for these kids to work together towards a common goal of creating a professional-quality production,” said CAC marketing Manager Emmalee Williams. “These students come from many local area school districts. We hope that the skills they gain during our Student Summer Stock program are shared with their respective school drama and theater departments during the new school year. This program is more than just creating or performing in a summer production; it’s about raising up the next generation of theater goers and supporters of the performing arts.”

Sharon Mack, the CAC’s Executive Director, echoed Williams’ remarks. “It is so important to be out in the community and invite the community to participate by attending a performance. It is an emotional connection that is developed through these small pop-up performances. When people get to experience a live taste of what’s to come. And they get to see these incredible students up close and personal.”

Show dates and times are July 26 and 27 at 7:30 p.m., July 28 at 2 p.m. Tickets on sale now! $18+ at https://www.caclive.com/event/student-summer-stock-newsies/. Or call the Box Office: (570) 326-2424.