Cast Of 'Newsies' Inspires Future Performers At Philadelphia School
By Pat Ciarrocchi
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – Broadway came to the Philadelphia Performing Arts Charter School on Wednesday.
The cast of the Disney stage musical "Newsies" brought their song and dance to some fifth graders who love the stage.
But the "Newsies" cast visit was about more than just the show, which runs through Sunday.
"Now is the time to seize the day, now is the time to seize the day."
It's not Broadway yet, but DeMarius Copes made these fifth graders feel like anything is possible.
"We almost feel like we're on Broadway in a way, except, like, traveling Broadway," said DeMarius Copes.
Disney's "Newsies" is on stage this week at the Academy of Music, telling the true story of the newsboy strike of 1899, when Pulitzer the publisher changed the price of the paper, cutting into the newsboy profits.
"It inspires audiences of all ages to stand up for what they believe in," says Ginna Claire Mason.
The cast is giving students lessons on Broadway dance as well as in healthy living.
"Get Up and Go is a wellness program that 'Newsies' has created. We take it into schools and show kids a piece of our choreography from our show to get them up and active," explains Jack Sippel.
On stage, as the singing hits high notes, the dance moves reach for heights, too.
"Literally, you're sliding on the ground, you're jumping up, you're doing back flips with newspapers in your hands," Andrew Wilson said. "We do a tap dance and we have chairs, and we're doing cartwheels over them."
It's inspiring these future performers.
For more information and tickets to "Newsies," visit: www.artsinphilly.org.