Five Questions with Newsies’ Youngest Cast Member, Dean Fagioli

Disney’s Newsies the Musical heads to the stage in less than a month at Upper Darby Summer Stage. With performances quickly approaching from August 2-10, content marketing specialist, Dan Luner (DL) took the time to talk with Dean Fagioli (DF) of Media, Newsies youngest cast member who will be playing the role of Les. Below is an abbreviated transcript of their conversation.

DL: What were your initial reactions when you found out you were cast as Les?

DF: I was so excited and ran into my house to tell my sisters.

DL: What has the rehearsal process been going so far? Have there been any “standout” moments so far?

DF: Rehearsals have been so fun and everyone is super helpful and nice. A standout moment so far for me was learning the dance break to “Seize the Day.” It was tricky to learn but so fun!

DL: How do you connect on a personal level to the character of Les?

DF: Les is confident in what he believes in and I feel most confident when I’m on stage portraying a character.

DL: What do you think are important pieces of Les’s story that the audience should take note of?

DF:  Les is fighting for what he believes in alongside his brother and friends. 

DL: Fill in the blank: my favorite part about portraying Les is: ______________.

DF: Getting to interact with all my cast members on stage. I love the dance breaks we get to do. 

Tickets for Disney’s Newsies the Musical are priced at $15-22 and can be purchased online at udsummerstage.org or by calling the box office: at 610.814.7270. The Upper Darby Performing Arts Center is located in Drexel Hill at 601 N. Lansdowne Avenue, minutes from the Main Line and Center City. The show is approximately two hours long with intermission. Parking is free and the show is ideal for ages eight and up.

Upper Darby Summer Stage is the nation’s leader in children’s theatre, empowering young people to celebrate the magic within themselves and others, and to share the magic with the entire community. Each summer Summer Stage entertains over 30,000 audience members and in 2024 will engage over 800 students. Featuring programs for young people and adults ages 10 through 35, Summer Stage is not only an ideal place for young audience members to experience the magic of theatre for the first time, but also participate in an environment where taking risks, embracing the unknown, and celebrating community are pillars of the organization’s existence. Visit udsummerstage.org for more info.