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NEWSIES - ShenanArts Non Equity Auditions

Posted March 25, 2018
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NEWSIES - ShenanArts

NEWSIES

Music by Alan Menken

Lyrics by Jack Feldman

Book by Harvey Fierstein

Based on the Disney film written by Bob Tzudiker and Noni White.

Director: Aaron Crosby

Music Director: Scarlette Kerr

Choreographer: Cory Douylliez-Willis

PERFORMANCE DATES: August 3, 4, 5 and 10, 11, 12.

••• AUDITION Details •••

Saturday, April 14

1:00 - 5:00 pm.

Please arrive by 12:45 pm to fill out the audition form.

Prepare a 16 bar musical theater piece that is not from Newsies. An accompanist will be provided. Auditionees are strongly encouraged to bring their own music and use the provided accompanist. Using an outside recording or singing a capella does not accurately show us if you can follow the type of music that will be used in the show. Please be prepared.

If you do not have music of your own, you can find different musical theater librettos at the Staunton public library through this link.
http://bit.ly/2FMPZjp

There will be short dance audition as well. Dress appropriately. If you can tap, there will be a separate tap audition.

Plan to stay the entire time.

If you have any questions about the show, auditions, or are unable to attend auditions on the scheduled date, please contact the director, Aaron Crosby, at
NewsiesSA@gmail.com

Location:

ShenanArts


300 Churchville Ave, Staunton, VA 24401

Email:
theatre@shenanarts.org


www.shenanarts.org


540.712.0001

••• About the Show •••

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.

••• Character Descriptions •••

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, Vocal range 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: Both

Age: 13 to 17

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

Age: 15 to 20

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: Male

Age: 10 to 15

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: Male

Age: 13 to 20

Scabs

Three newsies who are hesitant to join the strike.

Gender: Both

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: Both

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, Vocal range bottom: A3

Darcy

The upper-class kid of a publisher who sides with the newsies. Can double as a newsie.

Gender: Both

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 Delanceys 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, Vocal range bottom: C3

Seitz

Editor, advises Pulitzer, but ultimately admires the kids’ newspaper.

Gender: Both

Bunsen

Pulitzer’s bookkeeper, comes up with the ideas to raise the newsies’ price per paper.

Gender: Both

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: Both

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: Both

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, Vocal range bottom: F3

The Bowery Beauties

Female performers at Medda’s Theater.

Gender: Female

Age: 18 to 30

Stage Manager

Introduces Medda's act.

Gender: Both

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: Both

Age: 15 to 25

Woman

A newspaper customer.

Gender: Both

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: Both

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

Newsies is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI).

All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI.


www.MTIShows.com

ShenanArts


300 Churchville Ave, Staunton, VA. 24401


theatre@shenanarts.org |
www.shenanarts.org


(540) 712-0001

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