Hickory – Near the beginning of Newsies, the dazzling Broadway musical opening November 22 at the Hickory Community Theatre, the main character, Jack Kelly, meets a pair of very young brothers who have been forced by circumstance to become newsboys, the “Newsies”.

Unlike many of the other “newsies”, Davey and Les Jacobs have a home and family. They are forced to become the breadwinners in their household because their father suffered an accident at work resulting in the termination of his employment. In the Hickory Community Theatre’s production Jared Wachsmuth plays the older brother Davey and Grant Sizemore has the role of younger brother Les.

Newsies is Wachsmuth’s second outing with the Hickory Community Theatre. He played Tidence Ledbetter in last season’s Christmas musical Beautiful Star. He received a Kay Award from the theatre as outstanding newcomer actor for his performance.

Sizemore has been in two previous HCT productions. His first was playing Winthrop in The Music Man. He has also been in several productions at The Green Room, including The Clockmaker’s Child and Miracle on 34th Street.

Performances of Newsies are Fridays and Saturdays Nov 22, 23, 29, 30, Dec 6 and 7 at 8:00pm Sundays Nov 24, Dec 1 and 8 at 2:30pm and Thursday Dec 5 at 7:30pm.

Tickets for Friday, Saturday and Sunday are $20 for adults, $18 for seniors and $10 for students and youth 18 & under. Thursday night tickets are $16 for all adults and $10 for students and youth 18 & under. Call the box office at 828-328-2283 or visit hickorytheatre.org to purchase tickets or get more information.

The Hickory Community Theatre is a funded affiliate of the United Arts Council of Catawba County. Newsies is produced by Cargo Transporters, Catawba Valley Health System and Hickory Allergy, Asthma and Sinus. A Cleaner World, Paramount Automotive, the City of Hickory and Sunbelt Xpress are the sponsors the 2019-2020 Season.

PHOTO: Grant Sizemore (left) and Jared Wachsmuth play the Jacobs brothers in Newsies. Photo by John Koval.