Newsies (musical)

Newsies: The Musical is a Disney Theatrical Productions stage musical based on the 1992 film, Newsies, which in turn was inspired by the real-life Newsboys Strike of 1899 in New York City. The show has music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Jack Feldman, and a book by Harvey Fierstein. The musical premiered at the Paper Mill Playhouse in 2011 and made its Broadway debut in 2012. In 2013, Disney announced that Newsies would be going on a national tour.
In 2017, a live performance of Newsies was recorded for a limited theatrical release, and was later released digitally. It is now available on Disney+, as well as other streaming platforms.
==Productions==
===World Premiere (2011)===
Newsies The Musical played at the Paper Mill Playhouse in Millburn, New Jersey from September 25, 2011 through October 16. Direction is by Jeff Calhoun, with choreography by Christopher Gattelli. Newsies The Musical contains songs from the movie, as well as several new numbers. The songs "My Lovey Dovey Baby" and "High Times Hard Times" were left out of the stage adaptation. The Paper Mill Playhouse production received many favorable reviews. The Broadway production cost about $5 million to stage.
===Broadway (2012-2014)===
The musical opened on Broadway at the Nederlander Theatre for a limited engagement starting in previews on March 15, 2012 and officially on March 29, 2012. The engagement was extended through August 19, 2012 after just the first previews. On May 16, 2012, Disney announced that Newsies is now an open-ended engagement.
The cast of the Broadway production features Jeremy Jordan playing Jack Kelly and John Dossett as newspaper tycoon Joseph Pulitzer. The cast also includes Kara Lindsay as Katherine Plumber, Capathia Jenkins as Medda Larkin, Ben Fankhauser as Davey Jacobs, and Andrew Keenan-Bolger as Crutchie Morris.
The stage adaptation writes out Jack's original love interest Sarah Jacobs and the New York Sun reporter Brian Denton, who writes about the Newsboys. They are replaced by the composite character "Katherine Plumber", a reporter whose pen name is explained later in the musical.
The show was nominated for 8 Tony Awards- including Best Musical. The show won the Tony for Best Choreography (Christopher Gattelli) and Best Original Score (Alan Menken and Jack Feldman).
It was announced on August 14, 2012, due to his commitments with NBC's Smash, leading man Jordan will exit the musical September 4. It was also confirmed that newcomer Corey Cott (who became the alternate earlier in the month due to Jordan's Smash schedule) will be his replacement beginning September 5.
The musical closed on August 24, 2014. By the time the production closed, it played 1,005 performances.
===North American Tour (2014)===
The tour began in October 2014 and is set to last until the Summer of 2016.
==Plot==
;Act I
In the early hours of the morning, in 1899 New York City, newsboy Jack Kelly tells his disabled best friend, Crutchie, of his dream to one day leave New York for Santa Fe ("Santa Fe" (Prologue)). Jack lives with his fellow "newsies," many of whom are orphaned and homeless. As the sun rises, the newsies awaken and prepare for another day on the job ("Carrying the Banner"). While buying their supply of papers to sell, Jack meets Davey Jacobs and his little brother, Les. Unlike the rest of the newsies, Davey and Les have a home and a family. They started work as newsies because their father suffered an accident at work resulting in the termination of his employment. Seeing nine-year-old Les as an opportunity to sell more papers, Jack offers to help the boys. Meanwhile, the publisher of the New York World, Joseph Pulitzer, increases the cost of the newspapers to the paperboys, so as to outsell his competitors ("The Bottom Line").
Later, Jack, Davey, and Les are chased down by warden Snyder of the Refuge, a juvenile detention center. The boys find cover in a vaudeville-style theatre owned by Jack's friend Medda Larkin. Jack refuses to tell Davey why Snyder was after him. After Medda reveals that Jack is an artist who works part-time for her, the boys then watch Medda perform ("That's Rich"). While at the show, Jack spots a young female reporter named Katherine Plumber. He recognizes her powerful feminism and immediately shows his respect for her ("Don’t Come A-Knocking"/"I Never Planned on You"). The next morning, Jack and the newsies discover that the cost of newspapers has raised ten cents per hundred. Outraged, Jack organizes a protest ("The World Will Know"). Katherine sees the newsies' strike as an opportunity to become a more successful reporter and decides to cover the protest ("Watch What Happens"). The next day, Jack fails to properly motivate the newsies, as he isn't always the best with words, but Davey steps in and rallies the newsies for a full scale strike against the New York World ("Seize the Day").
The protest is cut short when the boys are engaged in confrontations with the police and strikebreakers. During the commotion, Crutchie is beaten, apprehended, and taken to the Refuge, as Jack watches, unable to help. Jack, upset at the protest's failure and the capture of Crutchie, laments the situation and promises himself that he'll soon leave New York forever ("Santa Fe").
;Act II
The next morning, Katherine visits the sulking newsies in Jacobi's Deli and cheers them up by showing them that her article about the strike made the front page of the New York Sun. Thrilled, the newsies all rejoice at making the headline and imagine what it would be like to be wealthy ("King of New York"). Meanwhile, Crutchie is still imprisoned in the Refuge ("Letter From The Refuge" [tour-only]).
Davey, Katherine, and Les later find Jack hiding out in the basement of Medda's theatre, doing a painting of Santa Fe. Davey and Katherine attempt to decide their next move, but Jack refuses to put the newsies in danger again. Davey reminds him that they'll have to take risks in order to get Crutchie back. Jack eventually complies ("Watch What Happens" (Reprise)).
Back at the World, Pulitzer converses with the Refuge warden, Snyder, about Jack while Katherine listens. Snyder reveals that Jack is actually an escaped criminal, originally detained for stealing food and clothing. Jack soon arrives and confronts Pulitzer. During the conversation, Pulitzer reveals that Katherine is actually his daughter. Katherine, who was hiding in the room, tries to apologize to Jack for not telling him, but Jack brushes her off as he is led into the cellar. Pulitzer offers Jack a compromise: If the strike is called off, he will be cleared of all charges and given enough money to leave for Santa Fe, but if not, he, Davey, Les, and Crutchie will be condemned to the Refuge ("The Bottom Line" (Reprise)). Meanwhile, Spot Conlon, head of the newsies in Brooklyn, bringing in his ranks in full support of Jack's protest ("Brooklyn's Here"). Jack gathers the newsies in Medda's theatre, and not wanting to put them in any more danger, reluctantly suggests they accept Pulitzer's offer. Davey and the newsies are shocked at Jack's words and the rally breaks up in chaos. Jack later meets with Katherine once more and she tells him that despite her namesake, she was always on Jack's side. She also criticizes Jack for not being honest with her about ending up in the Refuge for stealing. However, after seeing a drawing Jack made depicting the abuse conducted there, she realizes Jack stole the food and clothing for the other boys there. The two share a brief romantic moment and Katherine states that "I have something to believe in, now that I know you believed in me". Jack admits that the feeling is mutual, and they kiss ("Something to Believe In").
Jack and Katherine then join Davey and the newsies in printing their own paper; one that will determine the outcome of the strike ("Once and For All"). The newsies' paper is sent to Governor Theodore Roosevelt, who arrives in full support of the newsies' cause. Defeated, Pulitzer compromises with Jack once more. Jack proposes that Pulitzer buy back every paper the newsies fail to sell every day; if the newsies end up selling the extra papers they take, Pulitzer's circulation will grow. Pulitzer is reluctant at first, but eventually agrees. Crutchie is freed, Snyder is arrested, the Refuge is shut down, and the strike ends. In the excitement of the newsies' victory, Jack prepares to say goodbye to Katherine, as he now plans to leave for Santa Fe, but Katherine says that wherever he goes, she will go with him. The two share a kiss and Jack elects to remain a newsie. Pulitzer offers him a job as a political cartoonist for the World, and all ends well ("Santa Fe/Carrying the Banner/King of New York" (Finale)).
==Differences from the Film==
*The role of the compassionate reporter is changed from male to female (Katherine), and in a plot twist is revealed to be Pulitzer's daughter using a pseudonym.
*Sarah (the older sister of Davy and Les) is cut from the stage play. She is not Jack Kelly's romantic interest, Katherine is.
*Many of the lyrics from the remaining musical numbers are altered or lengthened. There are also multiple reprises in the stage version.
*Gov. Teddy Roosevelt has a personal vendetta against Pulitzer in the stage adaptation.
*In the stage version, the son of William Hearst (another newspaper magnate) helps with the strike and with the printing press.
*The terms of Jack Kelly's deal are different than the movie.
*Medda briefly had a prior relationship with the governor in the stage adaptation. In the film, she becomes a love interest for the male reporter.
==Cast==
Character 	Original Broadway actor 	Original Touring Cast
Jack Kelly 	Jeremy Jordan 	Dan DeLuca
Joseph Pulitzer 	John Dossett 	Steve Blanchard
Katherine Plumber	Kara Lindsay 	Stephanie Styles
Medda Larkin 	Capathia Jenkins 	Angela Grovey
Davey 	Ben Fankhauser 	Jacob Kemp
Crutchie 	Andrew Keenan-Bolger 	Zachary Sayle
Les 	Lewis GrossoMatthew Schechter 	Anthony Rosenthal
Vincent Crocilla
Finch 	Aaron J. Albano 	Julian DeGuzman
Seitz 	Mark Aldrich 	Mark Aldrich
Spot Conlon 	Tommy Bracco 	Jeff Heimbrock
Wiesel 	John E. Brady 	Michael Gorman
Mr. Jacobi 	John E. Brady 	Michael Gorman
Mayor 	John E. Brady 	Michael Gorman
Race 	Ryan Breslin 	Ben Tyler Cook
Nunzio 	Kevin Carolan 	Kevin Carolan
Roosevelt 	Kevin Carolan 	Kevin Carolan
Henry 	Kyle Coffman 	DeMarius R. Copes
Morris Delancey 	Mike Faist 	Michael Ryan
Oscar Delancey 	Brendon Stimson 	Jon Hacker
Sniper 	Alex Wong 	Ginna Claire Mason
Nuns 	Julie FoldesiCapathia JenkinsLaurie Veldheer	Ginna Clare Mason
Angela Grovey
Meredith Inglesby
Albert 	Garett Hawe 	Sky Flaherty
Bill 	Garett Hawe 	Jack Sippel
Darcy 	Thayne Jasperson 	Joshua Burrage
Jo Jo 	Thayne Jasperson 	Joshua Burrage
Elmer 	Evan Kasprzak 	Jeff Heimbrock
Buttons 	Jess LeProtto 	Chaz Wolcott
Snyder 	Stuart Marland 	James Judy
Romeo 	Andy Richardson 	Nico DeJesus
Specs 	Ryan Steele 	Jordan Samuels
Bunsen 	Nick Sullivan 	Bill Bateman
Mush 	Ephraim Sykes 	Jack Sippel
Hannah 	Laurie Veldheer 	Meredith Inglesby
===Broadway Cast Replacement History===
*Corey Cott served as the alternate for Jack Kelly on August 7-September 4, 2012.
*Corey Cott replaced Jeremy Jordan as Jack Kelly on September 5, 2012.
*LaVon Fisher-Wilson replaced Capathia Jenkins as Medda Larkin on September 11, 2012.
*Nicholas Lampiasi replaced Lewis Grosso in the alternating role of Les on September 25, 2012.
*Jake Lucas replaced Matthew J. Schechter in the alternating role of Les on September 25, 2012.
*Ron Raines temporarily replaced John Dossett as Joseph Pulitzer on October 9, 2012.
*John Dossett returned to the role of Joseph Pulitzer on December 18, 2012.
*Andy Richardson replaced Andrew Keenan-Bolger as Crutchie on March 11, 2013.
*Luca Padovan replaced Nicholas Lampiasi in the alternating role of Les on September 9, 2013.
*Zachary Unger replaced Jake Lucas in the alternating role of Les on February 3, 2014.
*Liana Hunt replaced Kara Lindsay as Katherine on February 4, 2014.
*Jeremy Greenbaum temporarily replaced Ben Fankhauser as Davey on April 1, 2014.
*Ben Fankhauser returned to the role of Davey on May 20, 2014.
===Broadway Understudy Replacement History===
*Liana Hunt replaced Laurie Veldheer as the second understudy for Katherine on February 19, 2013.
*Adam Kaplan replaced Mike Faist as the first understudy for Jack Kelly on February 19, 2013.
*Tommy Martinez replaced Andy Richardson as the understudy for Crutchie on March 11, 2013.
*Daniel Quadrino replaced Garett Hawe as an understudy for Crutchie on September 9, 2013.
*Daniel Quadrino replaced Garett Hawe as an understudy for Davey on September 9, 2013.
*Giuseppe Bausilio temporarily replaced Race Breslin as the understudy for Davey on October 7, 2013.
*Race Breslin returned to the role of an understudy for Davey on October 15, 2013.
*Molly Jobe replaced Liana Hunt as the second understudy for Katherine on February 4.
==Musical numbers==
;Act I
*"Overture" – Orchestra
*"Santa Fe (Prologue)" – Jack and Crutchie
*"Carrying the Banner" – Company
*"The Bottom Line" – Pulitzer, Seitz, Bunsen, Hanna,h and Nunzio
*"That's Rich" – Medda
*"Don't Come A-Knocking" / "I Never Planned on You" – Jack, Katherine, and Bowery Beauties
*"The World Will Know" – Jack, Davey, Les, and Newsies
*"The World Will Know" (Reprise)" – Jack, Davey, Les, and Newsies
*"Watch What Happens" – Katherine
*"Seize the Day" – Company
*"Santa Fe" – Jack
;Act II
*"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" – Newsies
*"Once and For All" – Jack, Davey, Les, Katherine, Darcy, Bill, and Newsies
*"Seize the Day" (Reprise) – Newsies
*"Santa Fe"/"Carrying the Banner"/"King of New York (Finale)" – Jack and Company
==Reception==
The Paper Mill production drew critical acclaim. According to The New York Times, "'Newsies' will open in time to qualify for the Tony Award in a season when the Tony for best musical is seen as up for grabs; 'Newsies' is already considered a likely contender for a nomination even before the show opens..."
In his review of the Broadway production, Ben Brantley of The New York Times wrote: "As choreographed by Christopher Gattelli, they keep coming at us in full-speed-ahead phalanxes, fortified by every step in a Broadway-by-the-numbers dance book... Mr. Jordan...is a natural star who has no trouble holding the stage, even without pirouettes... Mr. Feldman’s lyrics are spot-on, while the melody reminds us just how charming a composer Mr. Menken...can be."
==In other media==
On September 19, 2011 the cast, accompanied by composer Alan Menken, performed "Seize the Day" and "Santa Fe" on The View. The company performed "King of New York" in the Thanksgiving Day Parade in November 2011.
Newsies is talked about extensively through multiple podcasts produced by the Broadway Podcast Network on Broadwaysted.
==Recording==
The Broadway cast recording was released on iTunes April 10, 2012 from Ghostlight Records, the CD was released on May 15. The musical has "six songs added for the stage, including three newly written for Broadway since the Paper Mill production. The three new songs are titled The Bottom Line, That's Rich and Something to Believe In."
===Track listing===
#"Overture" - Alan Menken (1:12)
#"Santa Fe (Prologue)" - Jeremy Jordan, Andrew Keenan-Bolger (3:05)
#"Carrying the Banner" - Newsies Company (5:08)
#"The Bottom Line" - John Dossett, Mark Aldrich, Nick Sullivan, Laurie Veldheer, Kevin Carolan (2:16)
#"That's Rich" - Capathia Jenkins (2:33)
#"I Never Planned on You/Don't Come a-Knocking" - Jeremy Jordan, Kara Lindsay, Laurie Veldheer, Julie Foldesi (1:40)
#"The World Will Know" - Jeremy Jordan, Ben Fankhauser, Lewis Grosso, Matthew Schechter, Newsies Company (4:09)
#"Watch What Happens" - Kara Lindsay (3:06)
#"Seize the Day" - Jeremy Jordan, Ben Fankhauser, Lewis Grosso, Matthew Schechter, Newsies Company (5:23)
#"Santa Fe" - Jeremy Jordan (3:12)
#"King of New York" - Ben Fankhauser, Matthew Schechter, Lewis Grosso, Kara Lindsay, Ryan Breslin, Newsies Company (4:09)
#"Watch What Happens (Reprise)" - Jeremy Jordan, Ben Fankhauser, Kara Lindsay, Lewis Grosso (1:53)
#"The Bottom Line (Reprise)" - John Dossett, Mark Aldrich, John E. Brady (0:58)
#"Brooklyn's Here" - Tommy Bracco, Newsies Company (1:53)
#"Something to Believe In" - Jeremy Jordan, Kara Lindsay (3:31)
#"Once and for All" - Jeremy Jordan, Kara Lindsay, Ben Fankhauser, Ryan Breslin, Newsies Company (4:01)
#"Finale" - Jeremy Jordan, Newsies Company (2:32)
#"Santa Fe (Bonus Track)" - Jeremy Jordan, Alan Menken
#"Seize The Day (Bonus Track)" - Jeremy Jordan, Ben Fankhauser, Lewis Grosso, Matthew Schechter, Newsies Company
#"King of New York (Bonus Track)" - Ben Fankhauser, Matthew Schechter, Lewis Grosso, Kara Lindsay, Ryan Breslin, Newsies Company
==Awards and nominations==
===Original Broadway production===
Year	Award 	Category 	Nominee 	Result
2012	Tony Award 	Best Musical 	Best Musical 	
2012	Tony Award 	Best Book of a Musical 	Harvey Fierstein 	
2012	Tony Award 	Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical	Jeremy Jordan 	
2012	Tony Award 	Best Direction of a Musical 	Jeff Calhoun 	
2012	Tony Award 	Best Choreography 	Christopher Gattelli 	
2012	Tony Award 	Best Original Score 	Alan Menken and Jack Feldman	
2012	Tony Award 	Best Orchestrations 	Danny Troob 	
2012	Tony Award 	Best Scenic Design 	Tobin Ost and Sven Ortel 	
2012	Drama Desk Award	Outstanding Musical 	Outstanding Musical 	
2012	Drama Desk Award	Outstanding Actor in a Musical 	Jeremy Jordan 	
2012	Drama Desk Award	Outstanding Choreography 	Christopher Gattelli 	
2012	Drama Desk Award	Outstanding Music 	Alan Menken 	
2012	Drama Desk Award	Outstanding Lyrics 	Jack Feldman 	
2012	Drama Desk Award	Outstanding Orchestrations 	Danny Troob 	
2012	Grammy Award 	Best Musical Theater Album 	Best Musical Theater Album 	Nominated
==Gallery==
Disney on Broadway Newsies The Musical Cap.jpg
Disney on Broadway Newsies The Musical Magnet.jpg
Disney on Broadway Newsies The Musical Mug.jpg
Disney on Broadway Newsies The Musical Tee for Women.jpg
Disney on Broadway Newsies The Musical Tote Bag.jpg
Newsies The Broadway Musical Program.jpg
Newsies The Broadway Musical Program 2.jpg
Newsies The Broadway Musical Tee for Adults.jpg
Newsies_farewell.png
==External links==
*Official website
*Newsies at the Internet Broadway Database
Category:Disney Theatrical shows
Category:Articles with Wikipedia content
Category:Musicals
Category:Newsies