CHARACTER BREAKDOWN + WHAT TO SING AT AUDITIONS:

 

New York City Newsies:

 

Jack Kelly - Male

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 very loyal, Jack isn’t afraid to use his voice to attain better conditions for the working kids of New York City. Look for an actor who can command the stage with ease, possesses strong vocal abilities, and can exude Jack’s tough-guy exterior and his big heart.

Prepare to sing: “Santa Fe (Prologue)” or full-length version

 

Davey -Male

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.

Prepare to sing: “Seize the Day”

 

Les – Male or Female

Davey’s cheeky younger sibling, is inspired by the freedom of the newsies and loves their independent lifestyle. A precocious and natural newsie, Les has great intuition for sales and is a pint-sized charmer. Les should present as younger than the other newsies.

Prepare to sing: “Seize the Day”

 

Crutchie – Male or Female

Jack’s best friend and a dedicated newsie with a “bum leg” from polio that causes pain, but helps sell more papes. Walking with the assistance of a crutch doesn’t define the ever-positive newsie, so look for an actor who can portray Crutchie’s goofy-sweet sense of humor and optimistic resilience.

Prepare to sing: “Letter from the Refuge” (change the word “screwed” to “you lose”)

 

Newsies – Male or Female

The hard-working kids of New York City who go on strike for a livable wage. Featured roles include: Race, Muriel/ Murray, Specs, Tommy Boy, Buttons, Romeo, Jo Jo, Albert, Hazel, Pigtails, Nancy, Scabs.

Prepare to sing: “Carrying the Banner”

 

Brooklyn Newsies: Male or Female

The hard-working kids of Brooklyn who join Jack and New York newsies for the strike.

Prepare: “Brooklyn’s Here”

 

 

Spot Collins – Male or Female

The proud leader of the Brooklyn newsies, boasts an intimidating reputation.

Prepare: “Brooklyn’s Here”

 

Working children of New York – Male or Female

Featured in “Once And For All,” they represent all of the other child laborers who receive the Newsies Banner and ultimately become a part of the children’s crusade.

Prepare: “Once and For All”

 

Vaudeville Performers:

 

Medda Larkin - Female

Inspired by vaudeville performer Aida Overton-Walker, this big-voiced saloon singer and star of the Bowery. She 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.

Prepare to sing: “More Than Just a Pretty Face”

 

Bowery Beauties - Female

Includes the roles of the upbeat and charming Ada, Olive, and Ethel. A group of vaudeville performers in Medda’s act.

Prepare to sing: “More Than Just a Pretty Face”

 

Pat – Male / Female

An efficient stage manager who introduces Medda’s act.

Prepare to sing: “Finale”

 

News Makers:

 

Joseph Pulitizer

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.

Prepare: “Finale”

 

Hannah - Female

Pulitzer’s secretary who is a clever advocate for the newsies.

Prepare: “Finale”

 

Bunsen - Male / Female

Pulitzer’s bookkeeper who helps Pulitzer come up with the idea to raise the newsies’ price per paper.

Prepare: “Finale”

 

Seitz – Male / Female

An editor of “The World” who advises Pulitzer but admires kids.

Prepare: “Finale”

 

Weisel - Male

Aka “Weasel”. A disgruntled paper-pusher who uses the Delancey Brothers as his muscle, runs distribution for the World and has little patience or sympathy for the newsies.

Prepare: “Finale”

 

Morris and Oscar Delancy – Male
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.

Prepare: “Finale”

 

Goons – Male or Female

Assist the Delanceys in roughing up the newsies

Prepare: “Finale”

 

Katherine Plumber - Female

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.

Prepare: “Watch What Happens”

 

Darcy – Female

A photographer who works with Katherine

Prepare: “Finale”

 

Dorothy – Female

Katherine’s upper-class friend whose parents own the New York Tribune and help the newsies print the Newsies Banner.

Prepare: “Finale”

 

Bill – male

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

Prepare: “Finale”

 

Snyder - Male

The crooked warden of The Refuge. A filthy and horrible juvenile reformatory, is concerned only with catching enough kids to keep their government checks coming. Must evoke an imposing and sinister presence.

Prepare: “Finale”

 

Policemen – Male

Includes the role of the Police Chief. They intimidate the newsies and arrest Crutchie.

Prepare: “Finale”

 

Roosevelt - Male

A well-respected lifelong public servant who inspires Jack to stand up to Pulitzer. Actor must have the ability to portray the maturity and stature of this well-respected leader.

Prepare: “Finale”

 

Download music tracks here: http://media.mtishows.com/#!/shows/NEW2096825/assets/PERFAUDIOD

 

Sign up for an audition slot here:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0F4BAAA629ABFA7-newsies

 

Please email koxley@hcasaints.org with questions