‘NEWSIES’ is a musical that director Micha Gehring says she’s wanted to do and knows the show was right for “this group of kids.” Pictured, from left, during a recent rehearsal at WCMS, are Lexi True, Alaina Hudson, Jamaica Blunt, Chloe Kidwell (back), Lily Valentine, Collin Wright, Samuel Rhea, Shade Rayburn and Emmalynn Estes. (Photo by Bob Vlach)

When audiences come to see “Newsies” at Woodford County Middle School next weekend, director Micha Gehring says they should expect impressive performances that are “very, very high energy,” with lots of dancing.

Because it’s a well-known musical that’s been on Broadway, sixth grader Collin Wright, who plays Les, describes bringing “Newsies” to audiences at WCMS as an amazing opportunity. “The music,” he acknowledges, “… it’s hard to achieve, but when you do it right it sounds amazing.”

Eighth grader Brody Strahan, who portrays Jack Kelly in the Brooklyn cast of “Newies,” agrees. “This,” he says, “is one of my favorite Broadway shows.”

The eighth graders in “Newsies” were sixth graders when Gehring started directing plays at WCMS, “so I’ve had a lot of time to watch them grow and mature,” she says, “and I’ve had a lot of time to get familiar with their individual skills and how they shine. And I don’t know how to describe it; other than I just knew this was the show for this group of kids.”

Gehring says she has wanted to direct “Newsies” for many years, but the musical historically features an all-boys cast, so it’s hard to cast. “I decided to put my own spin on it and do an all-girls ‘Newsies’ cast with the exception of … some of those leads,” she adds, knowing she has eighth grade girls who are good dancers.

“I love the dancing and the singing,” says eighth grader Annie Babalmoradi. This is her third musical at WCMS, and she loves playing Crutchy because “it’s a challenging role.”

This self-described theater kid says, “Anybody who does more shows, they keep getting better. You learn how to do different things.”

“I’ve really grown to love theater,” Samuel Rhea, who plays Jack in the Manhattan cast of “Newsies,” says. “And I think it’s just (a) fun environment for me to express myself and be something I’m not.”

“Singing for an audience, it helps you also build character about yourself; and builds confidence – especially for kids in middle school,” says Emmalynn Estes, who plays Crutchy in the Manhattan cast.

Claire Webb, who plays Katherine in the Brooklyn cast, appreciates being a part of a musical because of the self-confidence that comes with bringing a story to life for an audience.

“… Acting,” says Claire Jones, who plays Katherine in the Manhattan cast, “is a way to step out of your own shoes and become someone who is completely new.” Instead of living and thinking about what’s happening in your life, “You get to take on what situations and what problems this character has and embrace them and be able to see how you would process this and think how your character processes this.”

Doing “Newsies,” a musical based on a true story, was also an opportunity for students to delve into why somebody would go on strike and stand up for what they believe in, Gehring says. And many students “don’t even know what a newspaper really is,” she continues. “So we literally had to talk about … (how) people used to rely on this piece of paper to know what was going on in the world. We didn’t have social media…”

And unlike other Disney shows, “Newsies” has a story to tell that adults in audiences will appreciate, Gehring says. As for students in the musical, she wants them to come away from this experience knowing “if they have something to say, your voice counts.”

Performances of “Newsies” are Friday and Saturday, March 27 and 28, at 8 p.m. and Sunday, March 29, at 2 p.m. Tickets are $12 and may be purchased at GoFan.co.