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Overview
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.
Show Information
- Book
- Harvey Fierstein
- Music
- Alan Menken
- Lyrics
- Jack Feldman
- Based on the Play/Book/Film
- 1992 film musical Newsies
- Category
- Musical
- Age Guidance
- Thirteen Plus (PG-13)
- 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
- Licensor
- Music Theatre International
- Ideal For
- College/University, Large Cast, Mostly Male Cast, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Star Vehicle Male, Includes Late Teen, Young Adult, Child, Early Teen, Adult, Mature Adult Characters
Context
In 1992, Walt Disney Pictures released Newsies, a musical drama based on New York City’s real-life Newsboys Strike of 1899. The film featured twelve original songs by Alan Menken and J.A.C. Redford, and was directed by acclaimed choreographer Kenny Ortega. Although the film became a cult classic, beloved by a generation of young men and women, Newsies was a major flop at the box office. Newsies did, however, succeed in making its teenage star, Christian Bale, a household name, and the
to read the context for Newsies and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Plot
Act One
New York City, 1899. In the early morning hours, teenage “newsie” Jack Kelly is alone outside the compound where he lives with other homeless and orphaned newsboys. He is joined by his best friend, the disabled Crutchie, and together, they fantasize about leaving dirty, awful New York City for beautiful Santa Fe (“Santa Fe”). The other newsies begin to awaken and prepare for the long day ahead, selling “papes” (newspapers) out on the tough streets of New York (“Carrying the
to read the plot for Newsies and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
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Lead |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
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Lead |
Male |
Tenor |
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Supporting |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
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Supporting |
Male |
Baritone |
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Supporting |
Male |
Tenor |
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Supporting |
Male |
Tenor |
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Supporting |
Male |
Tenor |
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Supporting |
Male |
Tenor |
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Featured |
Male |
Spoken |
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Featured |
Male |
Spoken |
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Featured |
Male |
Spoken |
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Featured |
Male |
Spoken |
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Featured |
Male |
Spoken |
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Featured |
Male |
Spoken |
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Ensemble |
Male |
Tenor |
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Ensemble |
Male |
Tenor |
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Ensemble |
Male |
Tenor |
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Ensemble |
Male |
Tenor |
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Ensemble |
Either Gender |
Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass |
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Ensemble |
Male |
Tenor |
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Ensemble |
Male |
Tenor |
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Ensemble |
Male |
Tenor |
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Ensemble |
Male |
Tenor |
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Ensemble |
Male |
Tenor |
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Ensemble |
Male |
Tenor |
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Ensemble |
Male |
Tenor |
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Ensemble |
Male |
Tenor |
Songs
Act One
- Overture – Orchestra
- Santa Fe (Prologue) – Jack and Crutchie
- Carrying the Banner – Jack, Newsies, Nuns
- The Bottom Line – Pulitzer, Seitz, Bunsen, Hannah
- That's Rich – Medda
- Never Planned on You/Don't Come A-Knocking / I Never Planned on You – Jack, Katherine and Bowery Beauties
- The World Will Know – Jack, Davey, Les and Newsies
- Watch What Happens – Katherine
- *Seize the Day – Davey, Jack, Les and Newsies
- Santa Fe – Jack
Act Two
- King of New York – Davey, Les, Katherine and Newsies
- Watch What Happens (Reprise) – Jack, Davey, Katherine and Les
- The Bottom Line (Reprise) – Pulitzer, Seitz and Mayor
- Brooklyn's Here – Spot Conlon and Newsies
- Something to Believe In – Jack and Katherine
- Seize the Day (Reprise) – Newsies
- Once and for All– Jack, Davey, Les, Katherine, Darcy, Bill and Newsies
- Finale – Company
A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.
Monologues
Scenes
Key Terms
A play, musical, or opera that has been adapted from a written work.
A song that uses short stanzas to tell a story about love.
References a singer who sings in a more chest voice dominant manner.
The sequence of steps and movements in dance, also the orchestrated and rehearsed movements for actors, based on the script.
Refers to both the choice of words as well as clear enunciation in speaking and singing.
The last section of a piece of music, a scene, or an entire show, often dramatic and exciting.
The imaginary wall between an audience and actors. To “break the fourth wall” means that actors acknowledge that the audience is there.
A period of rapid economic growth in America during the last thirty years of the nineteenth century.
A type of song, usually early in the musical, in which the protagonist expresses their desires. The "I Want" song establishes the character's objectives.
The belief that the social benefits and privileges of a society ought to be divided fairly.
A type of popular entertainment popular chiefly in the early twentieth century, featuring a mixture of specialty acts, such as burlesque comedy and song and dance.
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