The Fine Arts Association announces auditions for Disney's Newsies the Musical Music by Alan Menken Lyrics by Jack Feldman Book by Harvey Fierstein Based on the Disney Film written by Bob Tzudiker and Noni White Originally produced on Broadway by Disney Theatrical Productions Director & Choreographer: Michelle Sohm Musical Director: TBA Assistant Director: Joe Gallagher Stage Manager: Michael Scott 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. Auditions - APPOINTMENTS NEEDED: Monday, January 20, 2025 - beginning at 6:00 pm - Corning Auditorium Tuesday, January 21, 2025 - beginning at 6:00 pm - Corning Auditorium Callbacks by invitation only: Thursday, January 23, 2025 at The Fine Arts Association, 38660 Mentor Ave., Willoughby, OH 44094 www.fineartsassociation.org<http://www.fineartsassociation.org> Click here to take you directly to the Sign Up Genius to make your appointment: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050D4FABA72BA1FA7-54287850-disneys Production Dates – March 28 thru April 13, 2025 Fridays at 7:30 p.m. and Saturdays & Sundays at 2:00 p.m. Rehearsals begin – Monday, January 27, 2025 at 6:30 pm Rehearsals will GENERALLY be Mondays thru Thursdays 6:30-9:30 p.m. & Sundays 2:00-5:00 pm Casting Information: - Needed: Cast of approximately 21+ - All roles are available, 9+ principal/featured roles plus ensemble. Note: Featured/ensemble actors may play multiple roles. - All roles are open to the RIGHT person, regardless of age, gender, race, etc. - Auditions are open to all actors ages 13 to adult - Dance Requirements: Heavy - No AEA contracts available for this production. Audition Requirements: - Come prepared with 16-32 bars of a song in the style of the show. - Bring sheet music in the proper key. - An accompanist will play for all auditioners. - Bring a detailed list of your conflicts beginning January 27, 2025. This includes any school or work activities/events, sports activities/events and classes that would cause a missed scheduled rehearsal. All cast members must be available for tech week (March 23-27) and ALL performances. - Please bring a headshot (school picture or snapshot will do). - Resumes will be accepted (not required). ROLES AVAILABLE: 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/bottom: Bb2 Crutchie A dedicated newsie with a bum leg that’s painful but helps sell more papers. 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. Gender: any -- Age: 13 to 17 — Vocal range top: A4/bottom: C3 Davey Les’s strait-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/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: male -- Age: 10 to 15 — Vocal range top: Bb3/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: any -- Age: 10 to 20 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 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. Gender: female — Age: 17 to 20 — Vocal range top: F5/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 Goons Assist the Delancey’s 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/bottom: C3 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 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: 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 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/bottom: F3 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 nuns offer breakfast to the hungry newsies. Feel free to cast additional nuns. 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 Ann Hedger Programming Coordinator/Computer Supervisor ahedger@fineartsassociation.org<mailto:ahedger@fineartsassociation.org> __________________________ The Fine Arts Association All the Arts Under One Roof 38660 Mentor Avenue, Willoughby, OH 44094 www.fineartsassociation.org<http://www.fineartsassociation.org/> Ann Hedger Programming Coordinator/Computer Supervisor 440-951-7500 x103 ahedger@fineartsassociation.org<mailto:ahedger@fineartsassociation.org> __________________________ The Fine Arts Association All the Arts Under One Roof 38660 Mentor Avenue, Willoughby, OH 44094 www.fineartsassociation.org<http://www.fineartsassociation.org/>