Most high school theater groups prepare for a show by listening to the cast album. They watch a video. The director adds whatever insights he or she can.
Staples Players is not most high school theater groups.
For one thing, this fall’s main stage production is “Newsies.” Players scored a coup last spring, when Disney asked directors David Roth and Kerry Long to pilot the production. They’ll provide executives with feedback. A year from now, other amateur companies across the nation can produce the show too.
For another thing, Players’ cast and crew learned about “Newsies” from an actual newsboy.
Actual, as in one who was on Broadway.
Adam Kaplan — the former Players star who graduated in 2008 — played a newsboy (and Morris Delancey) in the New York production. He also understudied for lead Jack Kelly.
Last week, Kaplan returned to the Staples auditorium. He shared stories about his time with “Newsies,” including how he got the role and how he trained for it.
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Adam Kaplan (center) with Nick Rossi and Charlie Zuckerman. The Staples students are double cast as Jack Kelly –the role Kaplan understudied on Broadway. (Photo/Kerry Long)
He also offered advice on how the young actors can take care of themselves, while doing such a physical show.
The students seemed awed when Kaplan walked in. But they quickly responded to his enthusiasm and charisma.
They loved when he joined them in “Zip, Zap Zup” — a popular theater game he played, when he was at Staples.
And when he himself dreamed about making it to Broadway.
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The cast and crew of Staples Players’ “Newsies”pose with Adam Kaplan. (Photo/Kerry Long)
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Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
