Extra! Extra! Newsies go on shocking strike against newspaper kingpin Pulitzer!

From March 8-15, 2026, the incredibly talented cast of Scheck Hillel’s upper school spring musical, Newsies Jr., stunned hundreds of audience members over three exciting performances.

The vibrant musical follows a group of young, poor newspaper sellers, known as newsies, in 1899 New York City as they go on strike. When Joseph (adapted as “Josie” for this rendition of the play) Pulitzer, the head of the New York World, decides to unjustly raise prices for the already struggling newsies, union leader Jack Kelly and his newsies band together to go on strike against the misdeed and seek true justice. 

Featuring multiple dance-filled group numbers, powerful solos, and plenty of comedy in between, Newsies Jr. was a soaring success in the community. From vintage costume pieces to humorously antiquated props, the show brought viewers back to industrial America and roused their sense of justice as they watched the courageous newsies fight for what is right.

Even more impressive, the sub-20-person cast included a wide range of actors, some performing for the first time, some for the fifth.

“For the past six years, [this theater program] has led to my growth in both performance and maturity. It feels bittersweet to be performing for the last time in a Hillel musical theater show, as I’ve made so many friends that I love to perform alongside, and I have a lot of love and passion for the program. I’m very excited to see how my friends step up to be effective leaders in the program next year,” shared senior Nathan S., who played Jack Kelly, the show’s leading male role.

“Throughout months of rehearsals, I didn’t just make friends,” added senior Kassandra L., who played lead Katharine Plumber, “I made family.”