It's time to carry the banner on your stage 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 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.

Cast of Characters

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.
Gender: male
Age: 16 to 20
Vocal range top: A4
Vocal range bottom: Bb2

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.
Gender: male
Age: 13 to 17
Vocal range top: A4
Vocal range bottom: C3

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
Age: 15 to 20
Vocal range top: A4
Vocal range bottom: D3

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.
Gender: male
Age: 10 to 15
Vocal range top: Bb3
Vocal range bottom: Db3

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. 
Gender: male
Age: 13 to 20

Scabs:
Three newsies who are hesitant to join the strike.
Gender: either
Age: 10 to 20

Spot Conlon:
The proud leader of the Brooklyn newsies, boasts an intimidating reputation.
Gender: either
Age: 17 to 20

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.
Gender: female
Age: 17 to 20
Vocal range top: F5
Vocal range bottom: A3

Darcy:
The upper-class kid of a publisher who sides with the newsies. 
Gender: either
Age: 15 to 20

Bill:
The son of William Randolph Hearst who joins the newsies' cause.
Gender: male
Age: 15 to 25

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
Age: 35 to 50

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
Age: 15 to 20

Goons:
Assist the Delanceys in roughing up the newsies at the end of Act One.
Gender: male
Age: 15 to 20

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
Age: 35 to 50
Vocal range top: F4
Vocal range bottom: C3

Seitz:
Editor, advises Pulitzer, but ultimately admires the kids’ newspaper.
Gender: either

Bunsen:
Pulitzer’s bookkeeper, comes up with the ideas to raise the newsies’ price per paper.
Gender: either
Age: 35 to 50

Hannah:
Pulitzer’s practical and insightful secretary.
Gender: female
Age: 20 to 40

Nunzio:
Pulitzer’s barber.
Gender: male
Age: 30 to 50

Guard:
The Guard removes the newsies from Pulitzer’s building.
Gender: male
Age: 20 to 60

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.
Gender: male
Age: 45 to 65

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
Age: 25 to 45
Vocal range top: E5
Vocal range bottom: F3

The Bowery Beauties:
Female performers at Medda’s Theater.
Gender: female
Age: 18 to 30

Stage Manager:
Introduces Medda's act. 
Gender: either
Age: 25 to 55

Nuns:
The three nuns offer breakfast to the hungry newsies.
Gender: female
Age: 20 to 60

Photographer:
Takes the triumphant photo of the newsies at the end of “Seize the Day.”
Gender: either
Age: 15 to 25

Woman:
A newspaper customer. 
Gender: female
Age: 15 to 45

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: male
Age: 35 to 55

Policemen:
Assist Snyder and turn against the newsies in the fight that concludes Act One.
Gender: male
Age: 20 to 60

Mayor:
The Mayor of New York City rebuffs Pulitzer’s attempts to shut down the newsies’ strike.
Gender: male
Age: 45 to 60

Governor Teddy Roosevelt:
A well-respected lifelong public servant, inspires Jack to stand up to Pulitzer.
Gender: male
Age: 50 to 65