New Jersey Stage logo
New Jersey Stage Menu



 

Jackson Arts Ministry Presents Newsies, The Broadway Musical, and Oliver! Jr.

originally published: 11/21/2024

(LAKEWOOD, NJ) -- Jackson Arts Ministry (JAM) presents their Fall 2024 productions, Newsies, the Broadway Musical, and Oliver! Jr., at the historic Casino Auditorium at Georgian Court University on Saturday, December 7th, and Sunday, December 8th. 

Newsies, performed by their High School actors, is the story of Jack Kelly, played by senior Gavin Powers, a charismatic newsboy and leader of a band of teenaged "newsies." When the titan of publishing Mr. Pulitzer, played by Junior Rachel Gomez, raises distribution prices at the newsboys’ expense, Jack teams with Davey, played by freshman Isabella Benavides, to rally newsies from across the city to strike against the unfair conditions. With the help of the eager reporter Katherine Plumber, played by junior Maia Minty, the Newsies create a plan to fight for what's right. Inspired by a true story of the 1899 Newsboys strike in New York City, Newsies features a Tony Award-winning score by Alan Menken and Jack Feldman and a book by Tony Award winner Harvey Fierstein. Featuring songs such as “Carrying the Banner,” “Seize the Day,” and “Santa Fe,” Newsies is packed with non-stop thrills and a timeless message, perfect for the whole family and every audience.

Oliver! JR., performed by their Middle School actors, is Lionel Bart's classic Broadway musical based on Charles Dickens' novel, Oliver Twist. The Tony-winning musical takes place on the streets of Victorian England as Oliver, played by 7th grader Daphne Jones, a neglected orphan in a workhouse, escapes to London and finds acceptance amongst a group of petty thieves and pickpockets led by Fagin, played by 8th grader Reed Minty. When Oliver is captured for a theft that he did not commit, the benevolent victim, Mr. Brownlow, played by 8th grader Miles Imregi, takes him in. Fearing the safety of his hideout, Fagin employs the sinister Bill Sikes, played by 8th grader Jacob Marin, and the sympathetic Nancy, played by 8th grader Paige-Marci Seaman, to kidnap him back, threatening Oliver’s chances of discovering the true love of a family. Oliver! JR. features classic songs like "Consider Yourself", "Food Glorious Food", and "I’d Do Anything".

These shows feature 78 talented young actors from across New Jersey, ranging in age from 10-18. Both shows are directed by Denise Tiedemann, who has an extensive theater background including Broadway performances. She is assisted by directors Kristen Heinzerling, Todd Meyer, and Liz Seaman. Newsies is choreographed by Beth Jalinski.

Tickets are $17 and available for purchase online. All performance details can be found on the ticketing website. Complimentary parking is available on site. Georgian Court Casino Auditorium is located at 503 9th Street in Lakewood, New Jersey.




Advertise with NJ Stage for $50-$100 per month, click here for info



Both shows are presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI.

Jackson Arts Ministry, also known as JAM, is an arts-based program based out of Jackson Church. They produce two high school and two middle school shows a year, plus a Junior Jammers acting program for grades 2-4. They also have various arts-based classes held every Spring and Fall season. The goal of JAM is to provide a low-cost opportunity for anyone to be able to participate in theater and the arts. Scholarships are available upon request for those who cannot afford the registration cost. The program is completely volunteer-run, and all money made from registration, tickets, and concessions goes back into the program. This is an inclusive, non-profit theater program for all levels of experience and abilities, with everyone who auditions receiving a part.




Advertise with NJ Stage for $50-$100 per month, click here for info



 

EVENT PREVIEWS

Bergen

Bergen County Players to Host Special Post-Show Talkback with Tony Nominated Actress Beth Fowler

(ORADELL, NJ) -- Bergen County Players (BCP), one of America's longest-running little theater companies, will host a special post-show talkback with Tony nominated actress Beth Fowler, on Friday, May 16, 2025 at the Little Firehouse Theatre in Oradell. The talkback will take place immediately following the 8:00pm performance of Stephen Sondheim's A Little Night Music, now on stage thru June 1. Beth will discuss her successful career from "BCP to Broadway."



Burlington

Burlington County Footlighters presents "Fiddler on the Roof"

(CINNAMINSON, NJ) -- Burlington County Footlighters presents Fiddler on the Roof across three weekends from May 2-17, 2025. The classic musical is set in the little village of Anatevka, the story centers on Tevye, a poor milkman, and his five daughters. With the help of a colorful and tight-knit Jewish community, Tevye tries to protect his daughters and instill them with traditional values in the face of changing social mores and the growing anti-Semitism of Czarist Russia.



The

The Village Playbox presents "Man of La Mancha"

(HADDON HEIGHTS, NJ) -- The Village Playbox presents Man of La Mancha weekends from May 2-17, 2025. This is one of the world's most popular musicals. Inspired by Miguel de Cervantes' 17th-century masterwork Don Quixote, it is set during the Spanish Inquisition.



For

For the Whim Productions presents "Sense & Sensibility"

(BRIDGETON, NJ) -- For the Whim Productions presents Sense & Sensibility weekends from May 9-17, 2025. Jane Austen's classic novel is brought to life in Kate Hamill's brilliantly funny, fast-paced stage adaptation, which utilizes a chorus of lively Gossips to enhance the sense of a socially stifling world, and encourages inventive choreography, bold characterization, and creative doubling to produce a fresh take on a well-beloved story.



Chatham

Chatham Players presents "Home, I'm Darling"

(CHATHAM, NJ) -- Chatham Players presents Home, I'm Darling weekends from May 2-17, 2025. Every marriage needs a little fantasy to keep it sparkling. But behind the gingham curtains, being a domestic goddess isn't as easy as it looks... This is Laura Wade's dark comedy about sex, cake and the quest to be the perfect 1950s housewife.



FEATURED EVENTS

ART | COMEDY | DANCE | FILM | MUSIC | THEATRE | COMMUNITY

To narrow results by date range, categories,
or region of New Jersey
click here for our advanced search.


Once

Once Upon A Crime

Thursday, May 15, 2025 @ 6:00pm
Avenel Performing Arts Center
150 Avenel Street, Avenel, NJ 07001
category: theatre


 

George

George Street Playhouse presents "The Shark is Broken"

Thursday, May 15, 2025 @ 7:30pm
New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC)
11 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901
category: theatre


 

George

George Street Playhouse presents "The Shark is Broken"

Thursday, May 15, 2025 @ 2:00pm
New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC)
11 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901
category: theatre


 

Rock

Rock Of Ages

Thursday, May 15, 2025 @ 7:00pm
Axelrod Performing Arts Center
100 Grant Avenue, Deal Park, NJ 07723
category: theatre


 

Rock

Rock Of Ages

Thursday, May 15, 2025 @ 2:00pm
Axelrod Performing Arts Center
100 Grant Avenue, Deal Park, NJ 07723
category: theatre


 



Advertise with NJ Stage for $50-$100 per month, click here for info