Sponsored by the Dorfman Family Foundation

Show Description:

The rousing tale of Jack Kelly, a charismatic newsboy and leader of a band of young newsies in Manhattan. When titans of publishing raise distribution prices at the newsies’ expense, Jack rallies young workers from across the city to strike against the unfair conditions and fight for what's right! Adapted especially for young performers, this musical features a Tony Award®-winning score by Alan Menken and Jack Feldman and a book by Tony Award® winner Harvey Fierstein, and includes rousing songs like “Carrying the Banner,” “Seize the Day,” and “King of New York.” Newsies JR. is packed with nonstop thrills and a timeless message perfect for the whole family and every audience.

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Character Breakdown

ENSEMBLE – includes NEWSIES of New York, RACE, ALBERT, MURIEL, 
NANCY, SPECS, PIGTAILS, HAZEL, BUTTONS, TOMMY BOY, ROMEO, JO JO, 
SCABS (1-3) and others; the newsies’

CUSTOMERS; citizens of New York of all 
stripes, including a WOMAN; the BOWERY BRIGADE, vaudeville performers, 
including ADA, OLIVE, and ETHEL; and corrupt POLICE OFFICERS, including 
the POLICE CHIEF; WORKING CHILDREN of New York City
 

JACK KELLY – a ercely loyal and charismatic orphan who dreams of a life out 
west and boldly leads the Manhattan newsies
 

CRUTCHIE – Jack Kelly’s ever-optimistic best friend and fellow newsie; walks 
with the aid of a wooden crutch
 

KATHERINE – an ambitious young reporter who works hard to make a name 
for herself; courageously uses her voice to cover the newsies’ strike
 

DARCY – Katherine’s trustworthy photographer
 

MORRIS and OSCAR DELANCEY – toughs who work for the New York World; 
known to use their sts to make a point
 

WIESEL – a disgruntled manager of distribution for the World, often called 
“Weasel” by the newsies
 

LES – Davey’s cheeky younger sibling who is inspired by the freedom of the 
newsies and loves their independent lifestyle
 

DAVEY – Les’s straight-laced, bright older brother who acts as the brains 
behind the newsies’ strike
 

JOSEPH PULITZER – a pompous businessman and Katherine’s no-nonsense 
father; does not sympathize with the strikers, but comes to respect Jack
 

BUNSEN – Pulitzer’s bookkeeper, helps come up with the idea to raise the 
newsies’ price per paper
 

SEITZ – an editor who advises Pulitzer, but ultimately admires the kids’ 
newspaper
 

HANNAH – Pulitzer’s secretary, who disagrees with his plan to raise the price 
of papers
 

SNYDER – the crooked and sinister warden of The Refuge

MEDDA LARKIN – a big-voiced saloon singer and star of the Bowery who 
offers her theater as a safe haven for the newsies
 

PAT – the stage manager of Medda’s theater
 

SPOT CONLON – the proud leader of the Brooklyn newsies with an 
intimidating reputation
 

DOROTHY and BILL – Katherine’s friends whose parents own the New York 
Tribune and New York Journal, respectively; they help the newsies print the 
Newsies Banner
 

GOVERNOR TEDDY ROOSEVELT – a well-respected, lifelong public servant 
whom Jack admires.