MTI musical · Broadway Junior
Disney’s Newsies JR.Script, Piano/Vocal Score & show details
- Broadway Junior
- Large cast (21+)
- Roles: 4 women · 7 men · 8 any-gender + ensemble
- G
The printed Newsies JR. script comes with your MTI license. The digital version is a separate add-on for your whole cast and crew. See pricing
Newsies JR. synopsis
Music by Alan Menken · Lyrics by Jack Feldman · Book by Harvey Fierstein
Disney's Newsies JR. is a 60-minute version of the 2012 Broadway musical, based on the 1992 film. Inspired by the rousing true story of newsboys in turn-of-the-century New York City, Newsies JR. features a Tony Award-winning score by Alan Menken and Jack Feldman and a book by Tony Award winner Harvey Fierstein.
When powerful newspaper publishers raise prices at the newsboys' expense, the charismatic Jack Kelly rallies newsies from across the city to strike against the unfair conditions. Together, the newsies learn that they are stronger united and create a movement to fight for what's right.
Including the now-classic songs "Carrying the Banner," "Seize the Day," and "Santa Fe," Newsies JR. is a timeless story full of spirit and heart.
Full synopsis
In 1899 New York City, Jack Kelly shares his dream for a better life out west with his best friend, Crutchie ("Santa Fe - Prologue"). Jack and Crutchie join the Newsies - the young boys and girls who peddle newspapers to Customers throughout the city - as they start their day ("Carrying the Banner"). They gather at the New York World's distribution wagon, where they pick up their daily stacks of papers from Wiesel and his goons, Oscar and Morris Delancey. Jack offers to show the ropes to newcomers Davey and his kid sibling Les, and together they head out into the city ("Carrying the Banner - Reprise").
Meanwhile, Joseph Pulitzer, the publisher of the World, vows to fight declining circulation of the newspaper. He and his staff - Bunsen, Seitz, and Hannah - cook up an idea, but at the expense of the newsies.
After completing a successful day of selling papes, Jack, Crutchie, Davey, and Les are chased suddenly by Snyder, the warden of The Refuge, until they find safety in Medda's theater. Medda Larkin welcomes Jack and his friends by offering her theater as a safe haven while they watch her perform with Ada, Olive, Ethel, and the rest of the Bowery Brigade ("Just a Pretty Face"). During the performance, Jack notices Katherine, a bright young reporter he had seen earlier that day. Jack gives his remarkable sketch of the performers to an impressed Katherine for use in her review of the show.
The next morning, the newsies are outraged to learn that Pulitzer has raised the price of newspapers. Prompted by Davey, the newsies decide to form a union and strike ("The World Will Know").
After a successful first day of striking, newly elected union leader Jack Kelly sends representatives to spread the word of their strike to newsies throughout New York City. Katherine begins writing what she hopes will be a front-page-worthy story about the strike ("Watch What Happens").
The next day, only a small group of newsies has gathered at Newsie Square to strike. Davey and Jack energize the newsies, successfully rejuvenating the movement ("Seize the Day - Parts 1 & 2"). Katherine and her photographer Darcy arrive just in time to snap a triumphant photo.
Soon after, Snyder arrives with the police to break up the strikers. They haul Crutchie away to the dreaded Refuge. A defeated Jack once again longs for a new life away from all the hardships of the city ("Santa Fe").
Bruised and battered, the newsies are about to lose hope. Fortunately, Katherine arrives with a copy of her front-page story about the strike, causing them to break out in celebration ("King of New York"). Meanwhile, unable to sleep at The Refuge, an undefeated Crutchie writes an encouraging letter to Jack ("Letter from The Refuge").
Later, Davey, Les, and Katherine find a disheartened Jack at Medda's theater and try to convince him to return to the fight. Jack heads to Pulitzer's office to alert him of the Newsies' rally but is shocked when Pulitzer reveals Katherine to be his daughter. Pulitzer offers Jack a choice: get sent to The Refuge or renounce the strike and leave New York with pockets full of cash.
The rest of the newsies from all across New York - even the intimidating Spot Conlon and the newsies of Brooklyn - gather at Medda's theater for the rally that Davey has planned ("Brooklyn's Here"). Jack arrives, having accepted Pulitzer's deal, and is booed off the stage when he encourages the newsies to call off the strike.
Katherine refuses to let Jack give up, and they sneak into the World's cellar to print a paper that exposes the unfair treatment of the newsies with the help of Dorothy and Bill ("Seize the Day - Reprise"). The kids eagerly distribute the pamphlet to inspire Working Children all over the city to join the fight ("Once and for All").
The next morning, having read the Newsies Banner, Pulitzer is furious at the newsies' attempt to thwart him. However, after a tough negotiation, Jack convinces Pulitzer to compromise with the newsies: The price increase will remain, but publishers will buy back any unsold papers. The strike is over!
The newsies rejoice as Governor Teddy Roosevelt congratulates Jack. Crutchie appears amid the celebration, followed by a handcuffed Snyder. Just as Jack is about to set out for Santa Fe, he realizes that the newsies are his family. Jack looks around at Katherine, Davey, Crutchie, and the family they have built and fought for. Together, they all head out to sell the papes ("Finale").
Synopsis courtesy of Music Theatre International (MTI).
Newsies JR. characters & vocal ranges
The Newsies JR. musical has 18 named roles plus an ensemble, for a large cast (21+). Many roles can be cast across gender. ‘Written as’ reflects how MTI lists each role.
| Character | Written as | Vocal range | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jack Kelly | Male | F5–B3 | 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 very loyal, Jack isn’t afraid to use his voice to attain better conditions for the working kids of New York City. Look for an actor who can command the stage with ease, possesses strong vocal abilities, and can exude Jack’s tough-guy exterior and his big heart. |
| Les | Not listed | F4–B3 | Davey’s cheeky younger sibling, is excited by the newsies’ freedom and loves their independent lifestyle. This pint-sized charmer should present as younger than the other newsies |
| Crutchie | Not listed | F5–A3 | Jack’s best friend and a dedicated newsie with a “bum leg” from polio that causes pain, but helps sell more papes. Walking with the assistance of a crutch doesn’t define the ever-positive newsie, so look for an actor who can portray Casey’s goofy-sweet sense of humor and optimistic resilience. Crutchie is accustomed to modifying daily activities for their disability, so consider both the character and actor’s abilities when blocking and choreographing. |
| Davey | Male | D5–B3 | 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, cast a strong actor and singer who can lead “Seize the Day” while smartly portraying the brains of the resistance. |
| Katherine Plumber | Female | D5–A3 | 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, Katherine should be a strong singer with excellent diction for her showstopping number, “Watch What Happens.” Because Katherine and Jack possess a strong bond, consider auditioning these roles together to get a sense of the performers’ repartee. |
| Medda Larkin | Female | D5–G3 | Inspired by the African- American vaudeville performer, Aida Overton-Walker, A big-voiced singer and star of the Bowery (see the “Dramaturgy” document in Downloadable Resources). A proud supporter of the newsies, she offers her theater as a safe haven for their revolution. Look for a performer who can portray this astute entertainer with great comic delivery, while standing firmly behind the newsies in their fight for justice. |
| Wiesel | Male | Not listed | Aka “Weasel”. A disgruntled paper-pusher who uses the Delancey brothers as his muscle, runs distribution for the World and has little patience or sympathy for the newsies. Feel free to incorporate this actor into the newsies ensemble when possible. |
| Joseph Pulitzer | Male | Not listed | 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. For this non-singing role, cast a strong actor with a sharp and imposing presence. |
| Bunsen | Not listed | Not listed | Pulitzer’s bookkeeper who helps Pulitzer come up with the idea to raise the newsies’ price per paper. |
| Hannah | Female | Not listed | Pulitzer’s secretary who is a clever advocate for the newsies. |
| Pat | Not listed | Not listed | An efficient stage manager who introduces Medda’s act. |
| Governor Teddy Roosevelt | Male | Not listed | A well-respected lifelong public servant who inspires Jack to stand up to Pulitzer. Cast an actor with the ability to portray the maturity and stature of this well- respected leader. |
| Snyder | Not listed | Not listed | The crooked warden of The Refuge. A filthy and horrible juvenile reformatory, is concerned only with catching enough kids to keep their government checks coming. Look for an actor who can evoke an imposing and sinister presence. |
| Seitz | Not listed | Not listed | The editor of the World who advises Pulitzer, but ultimately admires the kids’ newspaper. |
| Bill | Male | Not listed | Katherine’s upperclass friend whose parents own the New York Journal and help the newsies print the Newsies Banner. |
| Dorothy | Female | Not listed | Katherine’s upperclass friend whose parents own the New York Tribune and help the newsies print the Newsies Banner. |
| Darcy | Not listed | Not listed | A photographer who works with Katherine. |
| Oscar & Morris Delancey | Male | Not listed | Toughs who work distribution for the World, take the side of the publishers in the strike and are known to use their fists to make a point. Look for actors who can believably portray these threatening goons. With a few smart and quick costuming changes, these two actors can also join the newsies ensemble if needed. |
| Ensemble | Not listed | Not listed | includes NEWSIES of New York, RACE, ALBERT, MURIEL, NANCY, SPECS, PIGTAILS, HAZEL, BUTTONS, TOMMY BOY, ROMEO, JO JO, SCABS (1-3) and others; the newsies’ CUSTOMERS; citizens of New York of all stripes, including a WOMAN; the BOWERY BRIGADE, vaudeville performers, including ADA, OLIVE, and ETHEL; and corrupt POLICE OFFICERS, including the POLICE CHIEF; WORKING CHILDREN of New York City |
Newsies JR. song list
- Santa Fe (Prologue)
- Carrying the Banner
- The World Will Know
- Just A Pretty Face
- Watch What Happens
- Seize The Day (Part 1)
- Seize The Day (Part 2)
- Santa Fe
- King of New York
- Letter from the Refuge
- Brooklyn's Here
- Seize The Day (Reprise)
- Once and For All
- Finale
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