PERFORMANCES:
JULY 25, 26, 27, 2019 AT 7:30PM
JULY 28, 2019 AT 2:00PM
AUDITIONS:
SUNDAY, MAY 26 AT 7:00-10:00PM
CALLBACKS: TUESDAY, MAY 28 AT 7:00PM
COHASSET TOWN HALL THEATER
41 HIGHLAND AVENUE
The Story: 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 teenage “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 is 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. It is suitable for all ages, a wonderful, empowering family show.
Auditions: Sunday May 26 from 7:00p-10:00pm with callbacks on Tuesday, May 28 at 7:00pm. Please prepare 24-32 bars of a song in the style of the show. You may sing a song from the show. If you choose to sing something from a show other than “Disney’s Newsies”, please bring sheet music in the key you wish sing. An accompanist will be provided and the score will be available. No a capella or recorded music auditions are allowed. There will be a multi-discipline dance audition. Please come in comfortable clothing prepared to dance for both a musical theater/jazz and tap audition. If you don’t have jazz or tap shoes, please wear sneakers to dance in. Cold readings from the script will be held at callbacks on Tuesday, May 28. Not being called back does not mean an auditioner will not be cast in the show. We are looking for a large cast to fill many roles. Anyone interested in auditioning must attend the only audition call on Sunday, May 26 starting at 7:00pm
Rehearsals: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 7:00-9:30pm, with additional rehearsals scheduled every day the week of July 22nd.
Specifics: The 8-week program cost is $400 which includes your participation, workshop classes in tap and dance as a character, show costuming, script, t-shirt, cast party and a DVD of the performance. Registration fee will be taken once casting is complete and cast members have accepted their roles.
Questions/More Information: Info@cohassetdramaticclub.org
Please complete the audition form in the link below and bring it with you to auditions along with a resume and headshot if you have one.
Character Breakdown
Character Breakdown
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
Vocal range top: A4; Vocal range bottom: Bb2
Crutchie: 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 will still be included in the dance numbers.
Gender: Any
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
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 12
Vocal range top: Bb3; Vocal range 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: Any
Scabs: Three newsies who are hesitant to join the strike.
Gender: Any
Spot Conlon: The proud leader of the Brooklyn newsies, boasts an intimidating reputation and a short singing solo in “Brooklyn’s Here.”
Gender: Any
Katherine Plumber: An ambitious young reporter who 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 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.
Gender: Female
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
Bill: The son of William Randolph Hearst who joins the newsies’ cause. Can double as a newsie.
Gender: Any
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
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
Joseph Pulitzer: A pompous businessman through and through who 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
Vocal range top: F4; Vocal range 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
Hannah: Pulitzer’s practical and insightful secretary.
Gender: Female
Nunzio: Pulitzer’s barber.
Gender: Male
Guard: The Guard removes the newsies from Pulitzer’s building.
Gender: Any
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
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
Vocal range top: E5; Vocal range bottom: F3
The Bowery Beauties: Female performers at Medda’s Theater.
Gender: Female
Stage Manager: Introduces Medda’s act.
Gender: Any
Nuns: The three nuns offer breakfast to the hungry newsies. Feel free to cast additional nuns.
Gender: Female
Photographer: Takes the triumphant photo of the newsies at the end of “Seize the Day.”
Gender: Any
Woman: A newspaper customer.
Gender: Any
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
Policemen: Assist Snyder and turn against the newsies in the fight that concludes Act One.
Gender: Male
Mayor: The Mayor of New York City rebuffs Pulitzer’s attempts to shut down the newsies’ strike.
Gender: Male
Governor Teddy Roosevelt: A well-respected lifelong public servant, inspires Jack to stand up to Pulitzer.
Gender: Male
Performances
All performances take place at Cohasset Dramatic Club’s Cohasset Town Hall Stage, our home for 98 years. Our box office opens one hour prior to each performance. The house opens for general admission seating, which is first come, first served, one half hour prior to each performance. Handicap access and seating are available.
Performances are on July 25, 26, 27 at 7:30pm and July 28 at 2:00pm.
Tickets are available at www.cohassetdramaticclub.org/tickets/ or at the door one hour prior to each performance.
Tickets