Newsies

Newsies is a musical which is based on the 1992 film. It is about newspaper boys in 1899 who are starting a strike to go against the unfair price that they must pay to obtain newspapers. It also follows Jack Kelly and his hopes to someday leave New York and go to the city in New Mexico, Santa Fe.

Act I
In the early hours of the morning in 1899 New York City, newspaper delivery boy Jack Kelly tells his disabled 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 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 young 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 delivery boys, 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, whom he regularly paints backdrops for. Jack refuses to tell Davey why Snyder was after him. The boys then watch Medda perform ("That's Rich"). While at the show, Jack spots a young female reporter named Katherine Plumber. He attempts to flirt with her, but she brushes him off as he does a drawing of her. Jack laments his blossoming feelings for her as the show continues ("Don’t Come a-Knocking / I Never Planned on You"). The next morning, Jack and the newsies discover that the cost of newspapers has been raised to sixty cents per hundred. Outraged, Jack organizes a protest ("The World Will Know"). Katherine is inspired by Jack's leadership and artistic abilities, and sees the newsies' strike as an opportunity to be seen as a more serious journalist, something she struggles with because of society's view of women, 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. 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 famous ("King of New York"). Meanwhile, Crutchie writes a letter to Jack, reflecting his experience at the Refuge ("Letter from the Refuge"). Davey, Katherine, and Les later find Jack hiding out in the basement of Medda's theatre, painting a backdrop 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 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 he is actually Katherine's father. 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 by Snyder 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 and the other newsies will be sent to the refuge ("The Bottom Line (Reprise)"). Meanwhile, Spot Conlon, head of the newsies in Brooklyn, brings in his ranks in full support of Jack's protest ("Brooklyn's Here"). Jack gathers the newsies, 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 and turn their back on him. 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 at the refuge, 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 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, thus making him seem more generous and making more boys want to sell papers for him. Pulitzer is reluctant at first, but agrees. Crutchie is freed, Snyder is arrested, the refuge is shut down, and the strike ends. Pulitzer offers Jack a job as a daily political cartoonist, which Jack initially declines. 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 newsboy and accept the cartoonist job ("Finale").

Workshop
Jack Kelly: Jeremy Jordan

Joe Pulitzer: John Dossett

Katherine Plumber: Kara Lindsey

Medda Larkin: Helen Anker

Davey Jacobs: Ben Fankhauser

Crutchie: Andrew Keenan-Bolger

Les Jacobs: R.J. Fattori & Vincent Agnello

Spot Conlon: Tommy Bracco

Race: Ryan Breslin

Specs: Ryan Steele 

Finch: Aaron J. Albano

Don Seitz: Mark Aldrich

Bunsen / Stage Manager: Nick Sullivan

Wiesel / Mr. Jacobi: John E. Brady

Mayor: John E. Brady

Nunzio / Theodore Roosevelt: Kevin Carolan

Henry: Kyle Coffman

Mike: Mike Faist

Morris Delancey: Mike Faist

Oscar Delancey: Brendan Stenson

Ike: Brendan Stenson

Sniper: Scott Shendenhelm

Nuns: Julia Foldesi, Capathia Jenkins, & Laurie Veldheer

Albert: Garett Hawe

Bill: Garett Hawe

Mush: Max Ehrich

JoJo: Corey Hummerstin

Darcy: Corey Hummerstin

Elmer: Evan Kasprzak

Buttons: JP Ferreri

Snyder: Stuart Marland

Romeo: Andy Richardson

Hannah: Laurie Veldheer

Smalls: Laurie Veldheer

Scabs: Tommy Bracco, JP Ferreri, & Scott Shendenhelm

Kenny: N/A

Kid Blink: N/A

Vince / Myron: N/A

Willie / Bart: N/A

Tommy Boy: Tommy Bracco

Hot Shot: N/A

Cop / Patron / Guard: N/A

Swings: Caitlyn Caughell, Michael MacArthur, Jack Scott, & Stuart Zagnik

Original Broadway
Jack Kelly: Jeremy Jordan

Joe Pulitzer: John Dossett

Katherine Plumber: Kara Lindsey

Medda Larkin: Capathia Jenkins

Davey Jacobs: Ben Fankhauser

Crutchie: Andrew Keenan-Bolger

Les Jacobs: Lewis Grosso & Matthew Shechter

Spot Conlon: Tommy Bracco

Race: Ryan Breslin

Specs: Ryan Steele

Finch: Aaron J. Albano

Don Seitz: Mark Aldrich

Bunsen / Stage Manager: Nick Sullivan

Wiesel / Mr. Jacobi: John E. Brady

Mayor: John E. Brady

Nunzio / Theodore Roosevelt: Kevin Carolan

Henry: Kyle Coffman

Mike: Mike Faist

Morris Delancey: Mike Faist

Oscar Delancey: Brendan Stimson

Ike: Brendan Stimson

Sniper: Alex Wong

Nuns: Julie Foldesi, Capathia Jenkins, & Laurie Veldheer

Albert: Garett Hawe

Bill: Garett Hawe

Mush: Ephraim Skyes

JoJo: Thayne Jasperson

Darcy: Thayne Jasperson

Elmer: Evan Kasprzak

Buttons: Jess LeProtto

Snyder: Stuart Marland

Romeo: Andy Richardson

Hannah: Laurie Veldheer

Smalls: Laurie Veldheer

Scabs: Tommy Bracco, Jess LeProtto, Alex Wong

Kenny: N/A

Kid Blink: N/A

Vince / Myron: N/A

Willie / Bart: N/A

Tommy Boy: Tommy Bracco

Hot Shot: JP Ferreri

Cop / Patron / Guard: N/A

Swings: Caitlyn Cloughell, Michael Fatica, Jack Scott, & JP Ferreri

First US Tour
Jack Kelly: Dan DeLuca

Joe Pulitzer: Steve Blanchard

Katherine Plumber: Stephanie Styles

Medda Larkin: Angela Grovey

Davey Jacobs: Jacob Kemp

Crutchie: Zachary Sayle

Les Jacobs: Vincent Crocilla & Anthony Rosenthall

Spot Conlon: Jeff Heimbrook

Race: Ben Cook

Specs: Jordan Samuels

Finch: Julian DeGuzman

Don Seitz: Bill Bateman

Bunsen / Stage Manager: Mike Aldrich

Wiesel / Mr. Jacobi: Michael Gorman

Mayor: Michael Gorman

Nunzio / Theodore Roosevelt: Kevin Carolan

Henry: DeMarius Copes

Mike: Michael Ryan

Morris Delancey: Michael Ryan

Oscar Delancey: Jon Hacker

Ike: Jon Hacker

Sniper: Ginna Claire Mason

Nuns: Angela Grovey, Meredith Inglesby, & Ginna Claire Mason

Albert: Sky Flaherty

Bill: Jack Sippel

Mush: Jack Sippel

JoJo: Joshua Burrage

Darcy: Joshua Burrage

Elmer: Jeff Heimbrock

Buttons: Chaz Wolcott

Snyder: James Judy

Romeo: Nico DeJesus

Hannah: Meredith Ingelsby

Smalls: John Assor

Scabs: Evan Autio, Sky Flaherty, & Chaz Wolcott

Kenny: N/A

Kid Blink: N/A

Vince / Myron: N/A

Willie / Bart: N/A

Tommy Boy: Evan Autio

Hot Shot: N/A

Cop / Patron / Guard: N/A

Swings: Caitlyn Caughell, Julian DeGuzman, Michael Fatica, Jack Scott, & Stuart Zagnit

"Newsies Live" Recording
Jack Kelly: Jeremy Jordan

Joe Pulitzer: Steve Blanchard

Katherine Plumber: Kara Lindsey

Medda Larkin: Aisha de Maas

Davey Jacobs: Ben Fankhauser

Crutchie: Andrew Keenan-Bolger

Les Jacobs: Ethan Steiner

Spot Conlon: Tommy Bracco

Race: Ben Cook

Specs: Jordan Samuals

Finch: Iain Young

Don Seitz: Mark Aldrich

Bunsen / Stage Manager: John E. Brady

Wiesel / Mr. Jacobi: Michael Gorman

Mayor: Kevin Carolan

Nunzio / Theodore Roosevelt: Kevin Carolan

Henry: Michael Rios

Mike: Jacob Guzman

Morris Delancey: Devin Lewis

Oscar Delancey: Anthony Norman

Ike: David Guzman

Sniper: Daniel Switzer

Nuns: Kaitlyn Frank, Meredith Ingelsby, Beth Stafford Lack

Albert: Sky Flaherty

Bill: Nicholas Masson

Mush: Nicholas Masson

JoJo: Joshua Burrage

Darcy: Jack Sippel

Elmer: Anthony Zas

Buttons: Chaz Wolcott

Snyder: James Judy

Romeo: Nico DeJesus

Hannah: Meredith Inglesby

Smalls: Julian DeGuzman

Scabs: Michael Dameski, Andrew Richardson, & Daniel Switzer

Kenny: Jack Sippel

Kid Blink: Andrew Richardson

Vince / Myron: Stephen Hernandez

Willie / Bart: Andrew Wilson

Tommy Boy: Michael Dameski

Hot Shot: JP Ferreri

Cop / Patron / Guard: Eric Jon Mahlum

Swings: N/A

Broadway Cast Replacements

 * September 5, 2012: Corey Cott replaced Jeremy Jordan as Jack Kelly
 * September 11, 2012: LaVon Fisher-Wilson replaced Capathia Jenkins as Medda Larkin
 * October 9 - December 16, 2012: Ron Raines temporarily replaced John Dossett as Joe Pulitzer
 * November 1 - December 2, 2012: Hogan Fulton temporarily replaced Andy Richardson as Romeo
 * November 1 - December 8, 2012: Clay Thomson temporarily replaced Tommy Bracco as Spot Conlon
 * February 19, 2013: Adam Kaplan replaced Mike Faist as Oscar Delancey / Mike
 * March 11, 2013: Andy Richardson replaced Andrew Keenan-Bolger as Crutchie
 * February 3, 2014: Liana Hunt replaced Kara Lindsey as Katherine Plumber
 * April 1 - June 22, 2014: Jeremy Greenbaum temporarily replaced Ben Fankhauser as Davey Jacobs
 * July 15, 2014: Capathia Jenkins resumed her roll as Medda Larkin, replacing LaVon Fisher-Wilson
 * May 6 - June 29, 2014: Clay Thomson temporarily replaced Tommy Bracco as Spot Conlon

Tour(s)
One US tour went on in 2014.

Songs
*† = Not Included in Original Broadway Cast Recording
 * Santa Fe (Prologue)
 * Carrying the Banner
 * The Bottom Line
 * Carrying the Banner (Reprise) †
 * That's Rich
 * I Never Planned on You / Don't Come a-Knocking
 * The World Will Know
 * Watch What Happens
 * Seize the Day
 * Santa Fe
 * King of New York
 * Letter From the Refuge (added for national tour) †
 * Watch What Happens (Reprise)
 * The Bottom Line (Reprise)
 * Brooklyn's Here
 * Something To Believe In
 * Seize the Day (Reprise I) †
 * Once and for All
 * Seize the Day (Reprise II) †
 * Finale