Description:

Stop the presses!

It's time to carry the banner with Disney's Newsies! Set in turn-of-the century New York City, 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, 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.

Dates / Times:

  • Friday, Feb 16th @ 7:00pm
  • Saturday, Feb 17th @ 2:00pm
  • Saturday, Feb 17th @ 7:00pm
  • Sunday, Feb 18th @ 2:00pm
  • Friday, Feb 23rd @ 7:00pm
  • Saturday, Feb 24th @ 2:00pm
  • Saturday, Feb 24th @ 7:00pm
  • Sunday, Feb 25th @ 2:00pm
Tickets go on sale Monday December 18, 2023 at 5:00pm

Ticket Prices:


The Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen:

2880 Mountain Road, Glen Allen, VA 23060


Show Notes:

Auditions & Callbacks
KingsWay Community Church
14111 Sovereign Grace Drive
Midlothian, VA 23114

Students who are registered for a winter CWorks class for ages 8-18 are eligible to audition. Learn more about auditions and find how how to sign up for an audition slot at cworkstheater.org/auditions. NOTE: Audition slots for Newsies are currently full, but we will be opening additional audition slots at a later date. Everyone who wants to audition will have the opportunity to do so. Email Jacob Filegar at jacob@cworkstheater.org to be added to the audition list. 


Auditions: Friday, 12/8, 4:30-10PM
Callbacks: Saturday, 12/9, 9:30AM-5:30PM
Cast List Posted: Sunday, 12/10, 5PM

Rehearsals
(Fridays & Saturdays)
North Run Baptist Church
2110 Lydell Dr
Richmond, VA 23227

Week 1
Friday, 12/15, 6-9PM 
Saturday, 12/16, 9:30AM-4:30PM (1st Parent Meeting from 9:30-11AM*)

NO REHEARSAL 12/22-1/1 - Christmas Break

Week 2
Friday, 1/5, 6-9PM
Saturday, 1/6, 9:30AM-4:30PM

Week 3
Friday, 1/12, 6-9PM
Saturday, 1/13, 9:30AM-4:30PM

Week 4
Monday, 1/15, 9:30AM-3:30PM (MLK Day)
Friday, 1/19, 6-9PM 
Saturday, 1/20, 9:30AM-4:30PM

Week 5
Friday, 1/26, 6-9PM
Saturday, 1/27, 9:30AM-4:30PM

Week 6
Friday, 2/2, 6-9PM
Saturday, 2/3, 9:30AM-4:30PM (2nd Parent Meeting from 9:30-10:30AM*)

Week 7
Friday, 2/9, 6-9PM
Saturday, 2/10, 9:30AM-4:30PM

*At least one parent must attend each parent meeting.
Costume Fittings and Headshots will be scheduled at a later date.

Tech Week & Performances
The Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen
2880 Mountain Road
Glen Allen, VA 23060

MOVE IN: Monday, 2/12, 9AM (cast not called)
Monday, 2/12, 5-9PM
Tuesday, 2/13, 5-9PM
Wednesday, 2/14, 5-9PM
Thursday, 2/15, 5-9PM
Friday, 2/16, 11AM call, 1PM IDR (Invited Dress Rehearsal), 7PM Performance
Saturday, 2/17, 12:30PM call, 2PM & 7PM Performances
Sunday, 2/18, 12:30PM call, 2PM Performance
Friday, 2/23, 5:30PM call, 7PM Performance
Saturday, 2/24, 12:30PM call, 2PM & 7PM Performances
Sunday, 2/25, 12:30PM call, 2PM Performance, followed by Closing Ceremonies & Strike


Characters:

Jack Kelly

The charismatic leader of the Manhattan newsies, Jack 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.

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 resourcesful, she boldy 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. Dance ability preferred.

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.

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. Younger than the other newsies.

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.

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.

Medda Larkin

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.

Race

A newsie; one of the hard-working kids of New York City that go on strike for a livable wage.

Albert

A newsie; one of the hard-working kids of New York City that go on strike for a livable wage.

Buttons

A newsie; one of the hard-working kids of New York City that go on strike for a livable wage.

Elmer

A newsie; one of the hard-working kids of New York City that go on strike for a livable wage.

Finch

A newsie; one of the hard-working kids of New York City that go on strike for a livable wage.

Henry

A newsie; one of the hard-working kids of New York City that go on strike for a livable wage.

Jo Jo

A newsie; one of the hard-working kids of New York City that go on strike for a livable wage.

Mush

A newsie; one of the hard-working kids of New York City that go on strike for a livable wage.

Romeo

A newsie; one of the hard-working kids of New York City that go on strike for a livable wage.

Specs

A newsie; one of the hard-working kids of New York City that go on strike for a livable wage.

Tommy Boy

A newsie; one of the hard-working kids of New York City that go on strike for a livable wage.

Ike

A newsie; one of the hard-working kids of New York City that go on strike for a livable wage.

Splasher

A newsie; one of the hard-working kids of New York City that go on strike for a livable wage.

Mike

A newsie; one of the hard-working kids of New York City that go on strike for a livable wage.

Spot Conlon

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

Scabs

Three newsies who are hesitant to join the strike.

Darcy

The upper-class kid of a publisher who sides with the newsies.

Bill

The son of William Randolph Hearst who joins the newsies' cause.

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.

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.

Goons

Assist the Delanceys in roughing up the newsies at the end of Act One.

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.

Hannah

Pulitzer’s practical and insightful secretary.

Nunzio

Pulitzer’s barber.

Guard

The Guard removes the newsies from Pulitzer’s building.

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.

The Bowery Beauties

Female performers at Medda’s Theater.

Stage Manager

Introduces Medda's act.

Nuns

Offer breakfast to the hungry newsies.

Photographer

Takes the triumphant photo of the newsies at the end of “Seize the Day.”

Woman

A newspaper customer.

Mr. Jacobi

Allows the newsies to congregate in his restaurant to plan their strike – when he doesn’t have any paying customers, that is.

Policeman

Assist Snyder and turn against the newsies in the fight that concludes Act One.

Mayor

The Mayor of New York City rebuffs Pulitzer’s attempts to shut down the newsies’ strike.

Governor Teddy Roosevelt

A well-respected lifelong public servant, inspires Jack to stand up to Pulitzer.

Ensemble

Newsies, Medda's Audience, etc.