Reston Community Players Debuts 'Newsies' July 8 At Capital One Hall

RESTON, VA — Students ages 13 to 18 will be gaining pre-professional performance and technical experience through the Reston Community Player's upcoming youth-centered production of "Newsies." The show is being presented in July as part of the company's new apprentice program.

"Newsies" is based on the 1992 musical motion picture, which was inspired by the 1899 Newsboy Strike. The story follows Jack Kelly, a charismatic newsboy who rallies his fellow newsies against unfair conditions and to fight for what's right.

RCP will present six performances of "Newsies" from July 8 to July 17, at Capital One Hall in Tysons. This will be one of the final productions of the venue's inaugural season. Capital One Hall has partnered with ArtsFairfax to make its performance venues available for the county's non-profit arts programs. "Newsies" will be presented in The Vault, Capital One Hall’s 225-seat black box theatre.

“We are very grateful to ArtsFairfax and Capital One Hall for this opportunity and very excited to bring our longstanding tradition of high-quality theatrical productions to this new venue,” said Kate Keifer, RCP’s president, in a release. “The ability for our young performers to work with professional teaching artists from New York City and to perform at a brand new venue like Capital One Hall is a one of a kind experience. We aim to give each participant in our program a 360 degree view of everything that goes into mounting a theatrical production as they gain in depth knowledge in the areas of stage craft, theatrical design and production elements.”

Alisa Claire and Brian Collier, visiting teaching artists from NYC’s The LMproject, are directing and choreographing RCP's production of "Newsies." Other members of the production team include: Merissa Driscoll (musical director), Dan Widerski (technical director) Mary Jo Ford (company manager), Franklin Coleman (lighting designer), Richard Bird (sound designer), and Lori Crockett (costume designer).

RCP will present performances of "Newsies" from July 8-10 an July 15-17. Curtain time is 7 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and 2 p.m. on Sundays. Tickets are available for purchase online.