St. John Theatre has provided St. John and the surrounding parishes with live theatre experiences since 1981. As we begin our 40th year bringing quality theatre to St. John the Baptist and the surrounding parishes there will be no exception as we are thrilled to present Disney’s NEWSIES as our summer musical production. We invite you to join our St. John Theatre “Family”, as we stop the presses! This Disney film turned Tony-winning Broadway hit inspires everyone to fight for what's right and seize the day.

Set in turn-of-the-century New York City, Disney’s NEWSIES is the rousing tale of Jack Kelly, a charismatic newsboy and leader of a band of teenaged "newsies." When titans of publishing raise distribution prices at the newsboys’ expense, Jack rallies newsies from across the city to strike against the unfair conditions and fight for what's right!

Based on the 1992 motion picture and inspired by a true story, Newsies features a Tony Award-winning score by Alan Menken (Little Shop of Horrors, Sister Act) and Jack Feldman and a book by Tony Award winner Harvey Fierstein (Kinky Boots). Featuring the now classic songs “Carrying the Banner,” “Seize the Day,” and “Santa Fe,” Newsies is packed with non-stop thrills and a timeless message, perfect for the whole family and every audience.

Auditions will take place May 4, 5, & 6 at 6:30 pm at St. John Theatre in Reserve.

Show dates will be July 17 – 19 & 22 - 25.

AGES: We invite anyone age 13 & up to audition.  

REHEARSALS: Rehearsals will begin in the first week of May. A rehearsal schedule will be sent out each week, letting each cast member know when they are expected to be at rehearsals that week. Rehearsals typically start at 7pm and go until 10 pm (but could possibly start earlier as needed.

Directed by: Mike Brooks
Please forward all questions to the director at stjohntheatredirector@gmail.com

If you would like to read more information and fill out an audition form in advance please click on the link below for a printable audition form.

Casting
Cast Size: Large (21 or more performers)
Cast Type: Ensemble Cast
Dance Requirements: Heavy

Character Breakdown

Jack Kelly
The charismatic leader of the Manhattan newsies, is an orphaned 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: male

Crutchie
A dedicated newsie with a bum leg that’s painful, but helps sell more papes. 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 straight-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. 

Scabs
Three newsies who are hesitant to join the strike.

Spot Conlon
The proud leader of the Brooklyn newsies, boasts an intimidating reputation and a short singing solo in “Brooklyn’s Here.”

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. 

Bill
The son of William Randolph Hearst who joins the newsies' cause. Can double as a newsie. 

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.

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.

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.

Nunzio
Pulitzer’s barber.

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.

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.

Stage Manager
Introduces Medda's act. 
Gender: any

Nuns
The three nuns offer breakfast to the hungry newsies.
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 Broadway production, the adult (non-newsie) ensemble comprised eight actors who doubled and understudied as indicated below. All other featured roles and understudies were cast from the ensemble of newsies. Feel free to follow these tracks or expand as your resources allow.