Cast Breakdown
A note on casting -
We will be casting both male and female newsies. Everyone auditioning to be a newsie will have to attend both the singing and dancing portion of the audition. While all newsies will be required to do some dance, we will have separate “mover/singer” and “dancer” newsies. So, if you feel you are stronger in singing but nervous about difficult dancing, or confident in dance, but less sure about singing, please still audition!
PLEASE NOTE, ALL AGE RANGES ARE WHAT THE CHARACTER SHOULD READ.
YOUR ACTUAL AGE DOES NOT NEED TO FIT IN THIS RANGE. (FOR INSTANCE, WHEN THEY RECORDED THE STAGE PRODUCTION, JEREMY JORDAN WAS ABOUT TO TURN 32.)
MANY SMALLER ROLES MAY DOUBLE.
THE “KIDS”
All of these roles require dancing and solo singing.
JACK KELLY (MALE) (17-24)
Range: Bflat2-A4
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. Must have a great pop tenor voice and sense of physicality.
CRUTCHIE (GENDER FLEXIBLE) (15-20) Range: C3-A4
is 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.
NEWSIES (GENDER FLEXIBLE) (12-22)
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 who go on strike for a livable wage.
BILL (MALE) (17-22)
who can double as a newsie, is the son of William Randolph Hearst who joins the newsies’ cause.
DARCY (GENDER FLEXIBLE) (17-22)
who can double as a newsie, is the upper-class kid of a publisher who sides with the newsies.
KATHERINE PLUMBER (FEMALE) (17-24) Range: A3-F5
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.
DAVEY (MALE) (16-22)
Range: D3-A4
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 (MALE) (10-13)
Range: Dflat4-Bflat4
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. He should present as younger than the other newsies.
SPOT CONLON (GENDER FLEXIBLE) (15-22)
the proud leader of the Brooklyn newsies, boasts an intimidating reputation and a short singing solo in “Brooklyn’s Here.”
PHOTOGRAPHER (GENDER FLEXIBLE) (15-25)
takes the triumphant photo of the newsies at the end of “Seize the Day."
SCABS (GENDER FLEXIBLE) (12-22)
are three newsies who are hesitant to join the strike.
PULITZER AND HIS STAFF
All of the below are non-dancing roles. With the exception of Nunzio and the Guard, all sing in "The Bottom Line".
JOSEPH PULITZER (MALE) (35-50)
Range: C3-F4
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.
HANNAH (FEMALE) (20-40)
is Pulitzer’s practical and insightful secretary.
NUNZIO (MALE) (30-50)
Is Pulitzer’s barber.
SEITZ (GENDER FLEXIBLE) (25-45)
editor, advises Pulitzer, but ultimately admires the kids’ newspaper.
BUNSEN (GENDER FLEXIBLE) (35-50)
Pulitzer’s bookkeeper, comes up with the idea to raise the newsies’ price per paper.
GUARD (GENDER FLEXIBLE) (20-60)
removes the newsies from Pulitzer’s building.
MEDDA AND THEATRE EMPLOYEES
With the exception of the Stage Manager, all of these are singing and dancing (movement) roles.
MEDDA LARKIN (FEMALE) (25-45)
Range: F3-E5
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.
BOWERY BEAUTIES (FEMALE) (17-30)
are female performers at Medda’s Theater. Will likely double with other smaller roles/as newsies.
STAGE MANAGER (GENDER FLEXIBLE) (25-55)
introduces Medda’s act. Will likely double with other smaller roles.
NEWSPAPER DISTRIBUTORS AND HEAVIES
Unless doubled with newsies, these are all non-dancing,
non-singing roles.
WIESEL or “Weasel,” (MALE) (35-50)
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 & MORRIS DELANCEY (MALE) (15-22)
toughs 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 (GENDER FLEXIBLE) (15-22)
assist the Delanceys in roughing up the newsies at the end of Act One.
OTHERS
While the nuns sing, all others are non-dancing/non-singing roles. They will likely double with other small roles.
NUNS (3) (FEMALE) (20-60)
offer breakfast to the hungry newsies. Likely will cast additional nuns.
WOMAN (FEMALE) (15-45)
is a newspaper customer.
MR. JACOBI (GENDER FLEXIBLE) (35-55)
allows the newsies to congregate in his restaurant to plan their strike – when he doesn’t have any paying customers, that is.
MAYOR (MALE) (45-60)
of New York City rebuffs Pulitzer’s attempts to shut down the newsies’ strike.
SNYDER (GENDER FLEXIBLE) (40-65)
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.
POLICEMEN (MALE) (20-60)
assist Snyder and turn against the newsies in the fight that concludes Act One.
GOVERNOR TEDDY ROOSEVELT (MALE) (45-65)
a well-respected lifelong public servant, inspires Jack to stand up to Pulitzer.