Extra! Extra! It's Official! NEWSIES to Hit Broadway in Spring 2012 for Limited Run

NEWSIES ran earlier this year at Paper Mill Playhouse in New Jersey this September - October, opening to great reviews and sold out audiences. Now, the show will move to Broadway's Nederlander Theatre (208 W 41st St) in a new $5 million dollar production for a strictly limited 101 performance run.

The musical, featuring a score by eight-time Academy Award® winner Alan Menken (Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, Sister Act) and Jack Feldman and a book by four-time Tony® Award winner Harvey Fierstein (La Cage aux Folles, Torch Song Trilogy), will play its first Broadway preview on March 15th prior to its March 29th opening night; the final performance is scheduled for June 10th. Newsies, produced by Disney Theatrical Productions, is directed by Tony nominee Jeff Calhoun (Big River revival) and choreographed by Tony nominee Christopher Gattelli (South Pacific revival).

There is no word yet about casting for the production, or if they will need to replace Paper Mill's star, Jeremy Jordan who is now leading BONNIE & CLYDE on Broadway. Though intended only as a pilot production before the title was licensed for regional, professional and amateur productions, Newsies' Paper Mill run engendered extraordinary interest from the media and public alike.

"In this company's 17-year history, we have never seen a show so immediately and fervently embraced this early in its life," said Thomas Schumacher, Producer and President, Disney Theatrical Productions. "It's clear that the themes of Newsies - of the younger generation taking their place, of the underclass righting injustice - are extraordinarily timely. We could never have imagined our show would be called to Broadway in the way it has but we could not be prouder that it's resonating so deeply."

The musical is based on the 1899 true story of a courageous group of scrappy newsboys who become unlikely heroes when they rally forces to fight an unscrupulous newspaper tycoon. "NEWSIES" features a book by Harvey Fierstein, lyrics by Jack Feldman and music by Alan Menken. Based on the Disney film written by Bob Tzudiker and Noni White. It is directed by Jeff Calhoun and choreographed by Christopher Gattelli.

In the Paper Mill prroduction, starring as Jack Kelly was Jeremy Jordan, joined by Ben Fankhauser as Davey; RJ Fattori and Vincent Agnellosharing the role of Les; Andrew Keenan-Bolger as Crutchie; Tommy Bracco as Spot Conlon;Brendon Stimson as Oscar Delancey, Mike Faist as Morris Delancey; Aaron J. Albano, Ryan Breslin, Kyle Coffman, Max Ehrich (Jack U/S), JP Ferreri, Garett Hawe, Corey Hummerston, Evan Kasprzak, Andy Richardson, Scott Shedenhelm and Ryan Steele. Tony® Award nominee and Broadway veteran John Dossett portrays newspaper tycoon Joseph Pulitzer. Kara Lindsay plays Katherine, a role created for the stage version of Newsies. 

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