Seeking Singers for "Newsies" Musical Show
The company is holding auditions for "Newsies" and looking for performers, please see the details below. ONLY LOCAL TALENT WILL BE CONSIDERED. About the project: New York City, 1899. Jack Kelly and his ragtag team of newsboys make a meager living selling newspapers on the city streets. But when the prices of “papes” are hiked and the newsies are hung out to dry, there is nothing left to do but “open the gates and seize the day!” Led by charismatic Jack and independent, young newspaper reporter Katherine Plummer, the Newsies form a union and organize a strike against the greedy publisher of the New York World. Can a group of idealistic newsboys win against a foe as powerful as acclaimed publisher Joseph Pulitzer? Inspired by the true story of the 1899 Newsboys Strike, Newsies is an ebullient, joyful, and entertaining musical capturing the strength that young people have when they join together and stand up against injustice. With a funny, poignant book by Harvey Feirstein and stunning music by Alan Menken and Jack Feldman — including the show-stopping Seize the Day, power ballad “Santa Fe” and lovely songs like Katherine’s “Watch What Happens” — Newsies is a classic with the power to inspire. Additional info: Prepare to sing 16-32 bars of a Broadway show tune of a similar genre or by the same composers. An accompanist will be provided, or you may use an instrumental backing track. Callbacks will be on Saturday, April 26 from 10am-2pm. Please apply if interested.
49 roles
The charismatic leader of the Manhattan newsies, is an oprhaned 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. Vocal range top: A4 Vocal range bottom: Bb2
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. Vocal range top: A4 Vocal range bottom: C3
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. Vocal range top: A4 Vocal range bottom: D3
Three newsies who are hesitant to join the strike.
The proud leader of the Brooklyn newsies, boasts an intimidating reputation and a short singing solo in “Brooklyn’s Here.”
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. Vocal range top: F5 Vocal range bottom: A3
The upper-class kid of a publisher who sides with the newsies. Can double as a newsie.
The son of William Randolph Hearst who joins the newsies’ cause. Can double as a newsie.
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.
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.
Assist the Delanceys in roughing up the newsies at the end of Act One.
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. Vocal range top: F4 Vocal range bottom: C3
Editor, advises Pulitzer, but ultimately admires the kids’ newspaper.
Pulitzer’s bookkeeper, comes up with the ideas to raise the newsies’ price per paper.
Pulitzer’s practical and insightful secretary.
Pulitzer’s barber.
The Guard removes the newsies from Pulitzer’s building.
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.
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. Vocal range top: E5 Vocal range bottom: F3
Female performers at Medda’s Theater.
Introduces Medda’s act.
The three nuns offer breakfast to the hungry newsies. Feel free to cast additional nuns.
Takes the triumphant photo of the newsies at the end of “Seize the Day.”
Allows the newsies to congregate in his restaurant to plan their strike – when he doesn’t have any paying customers, that is.
Assist Snyder and turn against the newsies in the fight that concludes Act One.
The Mayor of New York City rebuffs Pulitzer’s attempts to shut down the newsies’ strike.
A well-respected lifelong public servant, inspires Jack to stand up to Pulitzer.
Nun / Hannah / Bowery Beauty / Katherine understudy
Nun / Woman / Bowery Beauty / Medda understudy
Nun / Medda Larkin
Wiesel / Stage Manager / Mr. Jacobi / Mayor / Pulitzer understudy
Seitz / Roosevelt understudy
Bunsen / Male Ensemble 1 understudy
Nunzio / Guard / Policeman / Roosevelt
Snyder / Pulitzer understudy
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