OPEN AUDITIONS for Disney's

NEWSIES

Music by Alan Menken, Lyrics by Jack Feldman, & Book by Harvey Fierstein

Directed by Pamela LaForce

Sunday, March 22 at 7 PM
Monday, March 23 at 7 PM

Production Dates: JULY 17 – AUGUST 15, 2020

Chagrin Valley Little Theatre - 40 River Street, Chagrin Falls OH
440-247-8955 | www.CVLT.org

Based on the 1992 Disney film of the same name, this rousing musical is based on the newsboys strike of 1899. Featuring a Tony Award-winning score by Alan Menken (Little Mermaid, Aladdin) and Jack Feldman, and book by Tony Award-winner Harvey Fierstein (Kinky Boots), this show is sure to stir your soul and put a smile on your face. Seize the day!

PREPARATION

• Come prepared with 32 bars of song in style of show.
• Come prepared with 32 bars of contrasting song or best musical theatre audition piece. 
• Accompanist will be provided. Please bring sheet music in correct key.
• Those auditioning for Katherine and all Newsies will have to dance. Come prepared to dance and bring tap shoes if you own them.
• Adult roles will not have to participate in the dance call.
• All CVLT auditions are open to all and no roles are pre-cast.
• All genders will be considered for Newsies and most roles.
• No appointments are required.
• Headshots and acting resumes are welcome, but not required.
• CVLT does not offer union contracts and performers are volunteers.

ROLES

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. Must have a great pop tenor voice and sense of physicality.
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. 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 will be included in the dance numbers.
Gender: Any
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. He should present as younger than the other Newsies.
Gender: Any
Age: 10 to 15
Vocal range top: Bb3
Vocal range bottom: Db3

Newsies are some of the hard-working kids of New York City that go on strike for a livable wage.
Gender: Any
Age: 13 to 20+
Including: Albert, Buttons, Elmer, Finch, Henry, Ike, Jo Jo, Mike, Mush, Race, Romeo, Specs, Splasher, and Tommy Boy

Spot Conlon
The proud leader of the Brooklyn Newsies, boasts an intimidating reputation and a short singing solo in “Brooklyn’s Here.”
Gender: Any
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. 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.
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. Can double as a newsie.
Gender: Any
Age: 15 to 20+

Bill
The son of William Randolph Hearst who joins the newsies’ cause. Can double as a newsie.
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+

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

Hannah
Pulitzer’s practical and insightful secretary.
Gender: Female
Age: 20 to 50+
Gender: Any
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

ENSEMBLE
The adult (non-Newsie) ensemble will be comprised of actors who will double in roles throughout the show. Some other featured roles will be cast from the ensemble of Newsies.

• Darcy: The upper-class kid of a publisher who sides with the newsies. Can double as a newsie. Gender: Any Age: 15 to 20+
• Bill: The son of William Randolph Hearst who joins the newsies’ cause. Can double as a newsie. Gender: Male Age: 15 to 25+
• Scabs: Three Newsies who are hesitant to join the strike. Gender: Any Age: 10 to 20+
• Goons: Assist the Delanceys in roughing up the Newsies at the end of Act One. Gender: Male Age: 15 to 20+
• Seitz: Editor, advises Pulitzer, but ultimately admires the kids’ newspaper. Gender: Any
• Bunsen: Pulitzer’s bookkeeper, comes up with the ideas to raise the newsies’ price per paper. Gender: Any Age: 35 to 50+
• Nunzio: Pulitzer’s barber. Gender: Male Age: 30 to 50+
• Guard: The Guard removes the newsies from Pulitzer’s building. Gender: Any 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: Any Age: 45 to 65
• The Bowery Beauties: Female performers at Medda’s Theater. Gender: Female Age: 18 to 30+
• Stage Manager: Introduces Medda’s act. Gender: Any Age: 25 to 55
• Nuns: The three or more 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: Any Age: 15 to 25
• Woman: A newspaper customer. Gender: Any 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: Any 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