I had to keep the secret all summer that the theater was doing Newsies in the Fall. I knew Aliyah would go nuts and when she found out she was so excited! Newsies is one of her favorite musicals ever. While Race is her favorite character, she actually ended up nailing the audition and got the bigger roll of Crutchy! I can still remember her calling me at work to look at the cast postings because she couldn't believe it. There were over 60 kids audition and it was a 5th-12th grade production (so generally the younger kids don't get big parts). She struggled with the song (but nailed it thanks to her awesome vocal coach who happened to be the music director for Newsies) and was a bit lost at times during choreography since she couldn't do many "moves" with the Crutch; but in the end she absolutely played the perfect Crutchy and we're SO proud of her. And not only her, this cast of random kids put on the actual Broadway production that would have made any Broadway star extremely impressed. They were all cast perfectly, the kids learned amazing dance routines and the singing, acting and depth of character rolls was amazing. I think they not only shocked a sold out audience, but themselves as well. I've never seen a bigger let down on the last day of a show because they just didn't want it to be over!
She'll be on stage a lot more in her future, but nothing will ever top this experience!
And we're SO thankful for so many friends and family for coming out to support her:)
Aliyah with her best theater bid Logan who NAILED the roll of Less and Davey who was also amazing.
Top secret, but Aliyah's song was a sad letter to Jack (below) while she was in the refuge/jail. He's a big, tough high schooler who drove her nuts most of the time. But after the last performance, he told her she made him cry during her song. I don't think she could have gotten a bigger compliment from anyone ever. He's a real talent and I'm saving this picture for when they're both stars some day:)
