Newsies

Musical

Writers: Harvey Fierstein Alan Menken Jack Feldman

Overview

Show Information

Music
Lyrics
Based on the Play/Book/Film
1992 film musical Newsies
Category
Musical
Number of Acts
2
First Produced
2011
Genres
Drama, Comedy, Historical/Biographical
Settings
Multiple Settings
Time & Place
new york city, 1899
Cast Size
large
Orchestra Size
Large
Dancing
Heavy
Ideal for
College/University, Large Cast, Mostly Male Cast, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Star Vehicle Male
Casting Notes
Mostly male cast
Includes late teen, young adult, child, early teen, adult, mature adult characters

Synopsis

New York City, 1899. Jack Kelly and his ragtag team of newsboys make a meager living selling newspapers on the city streets. But when the prices of “papes” are hiked and the newsies are hung out to dry, there is nothing left to do but “open the gates and seize the day!” Led by charismatic Jack and independent, young newspaper reporter Katherine Plummer, the Newsies form a union and organize a strike against the greedy publisher of the New York World. Can a group of idealistic newsboys win against a foe as powerful as acclaimed publisher Joseph Pulitzer? Inspired by the true story of the 1899 Newsboys Strike, Newsies is an ebullient, joyful, and entertaining musical capturing the strength that young people have when they join together and stand up against injustice. With a funny, poignant book by Harvey Feirstein and stunning music by Alan Menken and Jack Feldman -- including the show-stopping Seize the Day, power ballad “Santa Fe” and lovely new songs like Katherine’s “Watch What Happens -- Newsies is a classic with the power to inspire.

Lead Characters

Newsies guide sections