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Two Arizona actors tapped to join live, virtual off-Broadway musical production of 'Newsies'

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PHOENIX — Two Valley performers are headed to New York City to be part of an off-Broadway musical, though they won't have to leave the comfort of their homes thanks to new technology.

Amber Chen, 11, and Allie Rose, 18, have been tapped to perform in a live, virtual production of Newsies, the musical based on the real-life Newsboys Strike of 1899 in New York City.

Actors Technique New York, a television, film and music school for kids and teens in New York City, putting on the production, billed as the first-ever online, full-length musical produced with all of the elements of a typical in-person show.

Chen and Rose, along with the rest of the cast, will dance, sing, and act from the comforts of their own homes.

"My role is the leader of the Brooklyn newsies," said Chen. Rose has three different roles throughout the production.

"They sent to you a headset, they're going to be sending you a green screen for a virtual background, they're sending you costumes," she said.

The school is using Zoom and a special audio service to synchronize the video and audio between the performers, and the director and a producer will make it look like everyone is on stage at the same time.

The cast has been rehearsing via Zoom since September.

"Instead of walking on and off the stage, you're clicking on and off video for Zoom," said Rose.

"It's an actual off-Broadway performance and I'm working with professionals that worked for Broadway," said Chen.

Both Rose and Chen said it has been a great opportunity and a learning experience.

The shows begin in January on the 3, 9, and 10 and will have two performances a day. Tickets are not on sale yet, but will be soon. Visit www.ActorsTechniqueNY.com for more information.