NEWSIES Launches Nationwide Audition Tour in Philadelphia, 2/8

Newsies has just announced nationwaide auditions that start this weekend in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Accoridng to the casting notice the show is seeking: males, 16-22, of all ethnicities, who are strong and technically trained dancers who also tap and sing well. Acrobatics/tumbling a plus. For additional information, click here.

Newsies, features music by eight-time Academy Award winner Alan Menken (Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, Sister Act), lyrics by Jack Feldman and a book by four-time Tony Award winner Harvey Fierstein (La Cage aux Folles, Torch Song Trilogy). Produced by Disney Theatrical Productions, Newsies is directed by Tony nominee Jeff Calhoun (Big River revival) and choreographed by Tony nominee Christopher Gattelli (South Pacific revival).

Disney Theatrical Productions originally developed Newsies for licensing in response to consistent and sustained requests from professional and amateur theatre groups, and Paper Mill Playhouse hosted its four-week pilot production in summer 2011. Overwhelming audience response to that production prompted a transfer to Broadway for a limited run. Opening with ticket sales from all 50 states, the limited run proved so successful that it was extended twice, become an open ended production in spring of this year. Another round of critical praise after its Broadway opening and 23 major theatrical award nominations followed.

Set in New York City at the turn of the century, Newsies is the rousing tale of Jack Kelly, a charismatic newsboy and leader of a ragged band of teenaged 'newsies,' who dreams only of a better life far from the hardship of the streets. But when publishing titans Joseph Pulitzer and William Randolph Hearst raise distribution prices at the newsboys' expense, Jack finds a cause to fight for and rallies Newsies from across the city to strike for what's right.

Newsies is inspired by the real-life 'Newsboy Strike of 1899,' when newsboy Kid Blink led a band of orphan and runaway Newsies on a two-week-long action against Pulitzer, Hearst and other powerful newspaper publishers.