Phoenix Festival Theater presents:
Disney Newsies
Disney’s Newsies, based on the 1992 motion picture, features a score by eight-time Academy Award® winner Alan Menken and Jack Feldman and a book by four-time Tony Award® winner Harvey Fierstein. Newsies is inspired by the real-life Newsboy Strike of 1899, when newsboy Kid Blink led a band of orphan and runaway “newsies” on a two-week-long action against Pulitzer, Hearst, and other powerful newspaper publishers. High-energy with non-stop thrills, the stage version introduces eight brand-new songs by the original team of Menken and Feldman while keeping many of the beloved songs from the film, including “Carrying the Banner,” “Seize the Day,” “King of New York,” and “Santa Fe.”
Director: Rob Tucker
Asst. Director: Jordan Baumiller
Music Director: Mia Bray
Choreographer: Leslie Perry
Set and light Designer: Sammy Jungwirth
Stage Manager: Malia Williamson
Auditions (Ages 16 and older)
March 18, 2025 @ 6:30 PM-9:30 PM – Susquehanna Bldg. Room 212 (next to Chesapeake)
March 19, 2025 @ 6:30 PM-9:30 PM - Susquehanna Bldg. Room 207 (next to Chesapeake)
Auditions (Les character age 9-12 only)
Auditions will be held:
March 22, 2025 @ 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM – Susquehanna Bldg. Room 212 (next to Chesapeake)
Newsies will be performed live at the Amoss Theatre, June 20 – 22, 2025. Performances take place Friday 7:00 PM – Sat 2 & 7:00 PM and Sun 2:00 PM.
Rehearsals will start April 2, 2025. Rehearsals will be held on Monday, Wednesday and Sunday afternoons. Not all cast will be called to all rehearsals.
DISNEY'S NEWSIES
Is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.mtishows.com
Contact Phoenix Festival Theater Company Manager, Beverly Whaley (bwhaley@harford.edu)with questions about auditions.
CASTING:
All roles are open to all races, ethnicities and gender
About Auditions:
On audition day:
- Arrive at least 10 minutes before your scheduled audition time and you will be directed to the audition space.
- Prepare part of a song: Prepare 16-32 bars of any upbeat contemporary musical theatre song. There are many genres of songs represented in the show, sing something that showcases you and your talent. You may sing a song from the show. If you will only accept a specific role, it is recommended you choose a relevant song from the show.
- Sides: Some actors may be asked to read a portion of the script. If you are not asked to read, it does not mean you are not cast.
- Music Tracks: Bring a track on your phone to connect to our Bluetooth speaker. No acapella auditions please.
- Dance. Consider wearing/bringing appropriate attire & shoes. If you can tap, bring your tap shoes.
Casting timeline: You will receive an email by Monday evening March 24, 2025, letting you know whether you have been cast.
CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS:
Jack Kelly
The charismatic leader of the Manhattan newsies, is an orphan 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: various
Crutchie
A dedicated newsie with a bum leg that’s painful but helps sell more papers. 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
Davey
Les’s strait-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
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 salesboy and a pint-sized charmer. He should present as younger than the other newsies.
Gender: male
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-women actors will be considered.
Scabs
Three newsies who are hesitant to join the strike.
Gender: any
Spot Conlon
The proud leader of the Brooklyn newsies, boasts an intimidating reputation and a short singing solo in “Brooklyn’s Here.”
Gender: any
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
Darcy
The upper-class kid of a publisher who sides with the newsies. Can double as a newsie.
Gender: any
Bill
The son of William Randolph Hearst who joins the newsies' cause. Can double as a newsie.
Gender: male
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
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
Goons
Assist the Delanceys in roughing up the newsies at the end of Act One.
Gender: male
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
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
Hannah
Pulitzer’s practical and insightful secretary.
Gender: female
Nunzio
Pulitzer’s barber.
Gender: male
Guard
The Guard removes the newsies from Pulitzer’s building.
Gender: any
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
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
The Bowery Beauties
Female performers at Medda’s Theater.
Gender: female
Stage Manager
Introduces Medda's act.
Gender: any
Nuns
The three nuns offer breakfast to the hungry newsies. Feel free to cast additional nuns.
Gender: female
Photographer
Takes the triumphant photo of the newsies at the end of “Seize the Day.”
Gender: any
Woman
A newspaper customer.
Gender: any
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
Policemen
Assist Snyder and turn against the newsies in the fight that concludes Act One.
Gender: male
Mayor
The Mayor of New York City rebuffs Pulitzer’s attempts to shut down the newsies’ strike.
Gender: male
Governor Teddy Roosevelt
A well-respected lifelong public servant inspires Jack to stand up to Pulitzer.
Gender: male
Ensemble
In the original production, the adult (non-newsie) ensemble comprised eight actors who doubled and understudied as indicated below. These tracks will be strongly considered for casting the adult featured roles
-All other featured roles and understudies are cast from the ensemble of newsies.
FEMALE ENSEMBLE 1 - Nun / Hannah / Bowery Beauty / Katherine understudy
FEMALE ENSEMBLE 2 - Nun / Woman / Bowery Beauty / Medda understudy
FEMALE ENSEMBLE 3 - Nun / Medda Larkin
MALE ENSEMBLE 1 - Wiesel / Stage Manager / Mr. Jacobi / Mayor / Pulitzer understudy
MALE ENSEMBLE 2 - Seitz / Roosevelt understudy
MALE ENSEMBLE 3 - Bunsen / Male Ensemble 1 understudy
MALE ENSEMBLE 4 - Nunzio / Guard / Policeman / Roosevelt
MALE ENSEMBLE 5 - Snyder / Pulitzer understudy
Gender: any