NEWSIES is inspired by the real-life Newsboy Strike of 1899. Set in New York City at the turn of the century, NEWSIES is the rousing tale of Jack Kelly, a charismatic newsboy and leader of a ragged band of teenaged ‘newsies’, who dreams only of a better life far from the hardship of the streets. But when publishing titans Joseph Pulitzer and William Randolph Hearst raise distribution prices at the newsboys’ expense, Jack finds a cause to fight for and rallies newsies from across the city to strike for what’s right.
NEWSIES has had an unexpected journey to Broadway. The stage adaptation of Disney’s cult-favourite film had been developed for licensing to theatre groups and its run at prestigious regional theatre Paper Mill Playhouse was intended only as a pilot production for that market.
Newsies quickly transferred to Broadway’s Nederlander Theatre, where it is now playing to sell-out crowds and standing ovations in its second year. The production was also nominated for seven Tony Awards®, winning for Best Choreography and Best Score.
With a book by Harvey Fierstein, the stage version introduces brand-new songs by the original team of Alan Menken and Jack Feldman while keeping many of the beloved songs from the film, including ‘Carrying the Banner, ‘Seize the Day,’ ‘King of New York’ and ‘Santa Fe.’
Newsies tickets on sale soon.