Set in turn-of-the century New York City, Newsies is the rousing tale of Jack Kelly, a charismatic newsboy and leader of a band of teenaged “newsies.” When titans of publishing raise distribution prices at the newsboys’ expense, Jack rallies newsies from across the city to strike against the unfair conditions and fight for what’s right!
Based on the 1992 motion picture and inspired by a true story, Newsies features a Tony Award-winning score by Alan Menken (Little Shop of Horrors, Sister Act) and Jack Feldman and a book by Tony Award winner Harvey Fierstein (Kinky Boots). Featuring the now classic songs “Carrying the Banner,” “Seize the Day,” and “Santa Fe,” Newsies is packed with non-stop thrills and a timeless message, perfect for the whole family and every audience.
Book by Harvey Fierstein
Music by Alan Menken
Lyrics by Jack Feldman
Artistic Director: Joe Lawrence
Choreographer: Carley Spiese
Music Direction: Eric Conway
Orchestra Conductor: Jason Koets
Technical Director/Designer: Jack Neveaux
Performances
at the Delano Performing Arts Center
July 17, 18, 24 & 25 @ 7:00 pm
July 19 & 26 @ 2:00 pm
Auditions
at Delano High School
Thursday, May 14 from 5:30 to 9:00 PM (Dance Studio)
Friday, May 15 from 5:30 to 9:00 PM (Auditorium)
Saturday, May 16 from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM (Auditorium)
Call Backs (if needed) Monday, May 18 from5:30 to 8;00 PM
Character Breakdown
Jack Kelly The charismatic leader of the Manhattan newsies, is an oprhaned dreamer and artist who yearns to get out of the crowded streets of New York and make a better life for himself out West. Fiercely protective of his best friend, Crutchie, and strongly loyal, Jack isn’t afraid to use his voice to attain better conditions for the working kids of New York City. Though living on the streets has given him a tough-guy exterior, Jack has a big heart and can demonstrate a sweet vulnerability – especially when it comes to bantering with a certain female reporter. Must have a great pop tenor voice and sense of physicality.
Gender: male Age: 16 to 20
Vocal range top: A4 Vocal range bottom: Bb2
Crutchie A dedicated newsie with a bum leg that’s painful, but helps sell more papes. Though he walks with the assistance of a crutch, Crutchie doesn’t let it define him; when in a jam, Jack Kelly’s best friend relies on a goofy- sweet sense of humor and optimistic resilience. Crutchie is the heart of the resistance. Though his movement will suggest his bum leg, Crutchie should still be included in the dance numbers.
Gender: any Age: 13 to 17
Vocal range top: A4 Vocal range bottom: C3
Davey Les’s straight-laced, bright big brother starts selling newspapers to help his family earn a living, but becomes swept up in the fervor of the strike. A leader in his own right who is learning to use his voice to uplift others, Davey is the brains of the resistance.
Gender: male Age: 15 to 20
Vocal range top: A4 Vocal range bottom: D3
Les Davey’s cheeky younger brother, is inspired by the freedom of the newsies and loves their independent lifestyle. A precocious and natural newsie, Les is an intuitive sales boy and a pint-sized charmer. He should present as younger than the other newsies.
Gender: male Age: 10 to 15
Vocal range top: Bb3 Vocal range bottom: Db3
Newsies Including Albert, Buttons, Elmer, Finch, Henry, Ike, Jo Jo, Mike, Mush, Race, Romeo, Specs, Splasher, and Tommy Boy, are some of the hard-working kids of New York City that go on strike for a livable wage.
Gender: male Age: 13 to 20
Scabs Three newsies who are hesitant to join the strike.
Gender: any Age: 10 to 20
Spot Conlon The proud leader of the Brooklyn newsies, boasts an intimidating reputation and a short singing solo in “Brooklyn’s Here.”
Gender: any Age: 17 to 20
Katherine Plumber An ambitious young reporter, works hard to make a name for herself as a legitimate journalist in a time when women aren’t taken seriously. Quick, funny, and resourceful, she boldly captures the voice of a new generation rising in her coverage of the newsies’ strike. While she generally has no time for cocky, streetwise young men, she makes an exception for Jack Kelly. Though she only has a brief dance solo in “King of New York,” Katherine should have a great contemporary pop voice with a high belt – diction is key.
Gender: female Age: 17 to 20
Vocal range top: F5 Vocal range bottom: A3
Darcy The upper-class kid of a publisher who sides with the newsies. Can double as a newsie.
Gender: any Age: 15 to 20
Bill The son of William Randolph Hearst who joins the newsies’ cause. Can double as a newsie.
Gender: male Age: 15 to 25
Wiesel Or “Weasel,” runs the distribution window for the World and knows most of the newsies by name. Assisted by the intimidating Delancey brothers, who keep order by any means necessary, Wiesel is Pulitzer’s disgruntled paper- pusher.
Gender: male Age: 35 to 50
Oscar and Morris Delancey Tough brothers who work at the distribution window for the World, take the side of the publishers in the strike and are known to use their fists to make a point.
Gender: male Age: 15 to 20
Goons Assist the Delanceys in roughing up the newsies at the end of Act One.
Gender: male Age: 15 to 20
Joseph Pulitzer A pompous businessman through and through, owns the World and is concerned solely with the bottom line. Katherine’s no-nonsense father, Pulitzer doesn’t sympathize with the strikers, but he does eventually – and grudgingly – respect Jack.
Gender: male Age: 35 to 50
Vocal range top: F4 Vocal range bottom: C3
Seitz Editor, advises Pulitzer, but ultimately admires the kids’ newspaper.
Gender: any
Bunsen Pulitzer’s bookkeeper, comes up with the ideas to raise the newsies’ price per paper.
Gender: any Age: 35 to 50
Hannah Pulitzer’s practical and insightful secretary.
Gender: female Age: 20 to 40
Nunzio Pulitzer’s barber.
Gender: male Age: 30 to 50
Guard The Guard removes the newsies from Pulitzer’s building.
Gender: any Age: 20 to 60
Snyder The crooked and sinister warden of The Refuge, a filthy and horrible orphanage, is concerned only with catching enough kids to keep his government checks coming.
Gender: any Age: 45 to 65
Medda Larkin Inspired by vaudeville performer Aida Overton Walker, this big-voiced saloon singer and star of the Bowery offers her theater as a safe haven for the newsies. An astute entertainer with great comic delivery, she’s a good friend to Jack and stands firmly behind the newsies in their fight for justice.
Gender: female Age: 25 to 45
Vocal range top: E5 Vocal range bottom: F3
The Bowery Beauties Female performers at Medda’s Theater.
Gender: female Age: 18 to 30
Stage Manager Introduces Medda’s act.
Gender: any Age: 25 to 55
Nuns The three nuns offer breakfast to the hungry newsies. Feel free to cast additional nuns.
Gender: female Age: 20 to 60
Photographer Takes the triumphant photo of the newsies at the end of “Seize the Day.”
Gender: any Age: 15 to 25
Woman A newspaper customer.
Gender: any Age: 15 to 45
Mr. Jacobi Allows the newsies to congregate in his restaurant to plan their strike – when he doesn’t have any paying customers, that is.
Gender: any Age: 35 to 55
Policemen Assist Snyder and turn against the newsies in the fight that concludes Act One.
Gender: male Age: 20 to 60
Mayor The Mayor of New York City rebuffs Pulitzer’s attempts to shut down the newsies’ strike.
Gender: male Age: 45 to 60
Governor Teddy Roosevelt A well-respected lifelong public servant, inspires Jack to stand up to Pulitzer.
Gender: male Age: 50 to 65
Ensemble In the original Broadway production, the adult (non-newsie) ensemble comprised eight actors who doubled as indicated below.
FEMALE ENSEMBLE 1 – Nun / Hannah / Bowery Beauty
FEMALE ENSEMBLE 2 – Nun / Woman / Bowery Beauty
FEMALE ENSEMBLE 3 – Nun / Medda Larkin
MALE ENSEMBLE 1 – Wiesel / Stage Manager / Mr. Jacobi / Mayor
MALE ENSEMBLE 2 – Seitz
MALE ENSEMBLE 3 – Bunsen
MALE ENSEMBLE 4 – Nunzio / Guard / Policeman / Roosevelt
MALE ENSEMBLE 5 – Snyder
“Newsies” is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI).
All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI.