IVINS, Utah (July 16, 2025) — Bringing together all the elements of high-quality theater — including amazingly technical dance skills, soaring vocals and real-life history, all tied up with the kind of spectacle only Tuacahn can offer — there’s never been a better time to enjoy Newsies, beginning July 12 through Oct. 24 in the Outdoor Amphitheatre.
In other words, “now is the time to seize the day!”
Leaning into another line from the show itself, Director Sarah Hartmann noted that theater is not only entertaining, but educational. And with a piece steeped in so much history, Hartmann and her team are excited to showcase many elements from the actual newsies strike, alongside the fictionalized characters that bring this delightful musical to life.
“It’s all the joy of Disney and history combined,” Hartmann said.
Inspired by a true story, Newsies tells the tale of Jack Kelly, the charismatic leader of a group of teenage newsies, who take a David vs. Goliath stand against the newspaper giants of the era in order to shine a light on the unfair working conditions for thousands of children across New York City.
In her extensive research for this show, Hartmann “pulled from the papes” newspaper headlines and stories from the real-life showdown between the newsies and the city’s elites, and will be incorporating some of those into the show.
“You’ll see that historical emphasis in various areas of the production design, and even in the casting of the show,” Hartmann said. “For example, there absolutely were female newsies, so our female cast members are not pretending to be boys, they are portraying female characters.”
Hartmann’s research also unearthed a story of an 82-year-old newsboy. However, the cast does not include anyone that age.
“We have one who is supposed to be a little bit older, but not quite 82,” Hartmann said with a laugh.
However, there will be 14 teenage newsies joining the Tuacahn team for this show, which Hartmann said has been a blast for everyone.
“I am so excited for this company,” said Mara Newbery Greer, choreographer. “They are smart actors and gorgeous dancers, not to mention their voices… I leave smiling every day.”
Something else that is true to life in this production, is the fact that it can be staged in a way that is wholly unique to Tuacahn’s impressive outdoor space.
“Jack Kelly’s dream is to go to Santa Fe,” Hartmann said. “To have this enormous set of steel and concrete that opens up to the majesty of this red rock canyon that stands in for Sante Fe… there is no place else you can really activate that story and bring it to life like you can here.”
It’s a set design, and a scope of talent that has to be seen to be believed.
“It’s moving and an honor to be able to do this,” Hartmann said of the experience as a whole. “We can’t wait for people to experience it.”
Newsies opens on July 12 in the Tuacahn Outdoor Amphitheatre, alternating with Disney’s The Little Mermaid and The Wizard of Oz through Oct. 24. For tickets go online to www.tuacahn.org or call the box office at 435-652-3300.
