311 E Walnut St
Springfield
MO 65806
AUDITION NOTICE
Stop the presses! Auditions for Springfield Little Theatre’s production of NEWSIES will be held Monday, July 9 and Tuesday, July 10 at 7:00 p.m. on stage at the historic Landers Theatre, 311 East Walnut beginning at 7:00 p.m..
Callbacks are scheduled for Wednesday, July 11 beginning at 6:00 p.m.
All auditioning should prepare a one-minute vocal selection and bring sheet music. An accompanist will be provided.
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, The Little Mermaid) and Jack Feldman with 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.
Springfield Little Theatre’s NEWSIES will open Springfield Little Theatre’s 2018-2019 season, and will be co-directed by Beth Domann and Lorianne Dunn with music direction by Susan Gravatt.
Most rehearsals for SLT’s production of NEWSIES will be held Sunday-Thursday evenings between the hours of 6:00-10:00 p.m.
Performance dates:
Thursday, September 13, 7:30 p.m. (Underwriter’s Preview); Friday, September 14, 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, September 15, 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, September 16, 2:00 p.m.; Thursday, September 20, 7:30 p.m.; Friday, September 21, 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, September 22, 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, September 23, 2:00 p.m.; Thursday, September 27, 7:30 p.m.; Friday, September 28, 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, September 29, 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, September 30, 2:00 p.m.; Thursday, October 4, 7:30 p.m.; Friday, October 5, 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, October 6, 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, October 7, 2:00 p.m.
Additional promotional appearances TBA. Cast members are expected to be available for every performance. No exceptions.
An Audition Preparatory Workshop for NEWSIES will be offered Monday, June 25 from 7:00-9:00 p.m. Participants will have the opportunity to run their audition selection and receive feedback from an experienced audition coach. Interested participants will also be taught a dance combination and undergo a mock dance audition. The workshop costs $20 to attend. Registration will be accepted at the door.
Character Breakdown for NEWSIES:
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.
Vocal range top: A4
Vocal range bottom: Bb2
Crutchie
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.
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.
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.
Vocal range top: Bb3
Vocal range bottom: Db3
Newsies Ensemble
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.
Scabs
Three newsies who are hesitant to join the strike.
Spot Conlon
The proud leader of the Brooklyn newsies, boasts an intimidating reputation and a short singing solo in “Brooklyn’s Here.”
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 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. Katherine should have a great contemporary pop voice with a high belt – diction is key.
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.
Bill
The son of William Randolph Hearst who joins the newsies’ cause. Can double as a newsie.
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.
Age 35-50’s
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.
Goons
Assist the Delanceys in roughing up the newsies at the end of Act One.
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.
Age: 35-50’s
Vocal range top: F4
Vocal range bottom: C3
Seitz
Editor, advises Pulitzer, but ultimately admires the kids’ newspaper.
Adult Male
Bunsen
Pulitzer’s bookkeeper, comes up with the ideas to raise the newsies’ price per paper.
Gender: both
Adult
Hannah
Pulitzer’s practical and insightful secretary.
Approximate Age: 20 to 40’s
Nunzio
Pulitzer’s barber.
Gender: male
Approximate Age: 30 to 50’s
Guard
The Guard removes the newsies from Pulitzer’s building.
Gender: both
Approximate 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
Approximate Age: 40 to 60’s
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.
Approximate Age: 20’s to 40’s
Vocal range top: E5
Vocal range bottom: F3
The Bowery Beauties
Female performers at Medda’s Theater
Gender: female
Teen to Adult
Stage Manager
Introduces Medda’s act
Gender: both
Approximate Age: 20’s to 50’s
Nuns
The three nuns offer breakfast to the hungry newsies. Could cast additional nuns.
Gender: female
Approximate Age: 20’s to 60’s
Photographer
Takes the triumphant photo of the newsies at the end of “Seize the Day”
Woman
A newspaper customer.
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
Approximate Age: 30’s-60’s
Policemen
Assist Snyder and turn against the newsies in the fight that concludes Act One.
Gender: male
Approximate Age: 20’s to 60’s
Mayor
The Mayor of New York City rebuffs Pulitzer’s attempts to shut down the newsies’ strike.
Gender: male
Approximate Age: 40’s to 60’s
Governor Teddy Roosevelt
A well-respected lifelong public servant, inspires Jack to stand up to Pulitzer.
Gender: male
Approximate Age: 50’s to 60’s
Please direct questions to Lorianne Dunn at 417-351-3996/lorianned@springfieldlittletheatre.org or Beth Domann at 417-869-3869 x12/bdomann@hotmail.com.