1004 performances, Newsies closed
on Broadway to launch a national tour,
which traveled the country for two years
performing 784 times in 65 cities. Finally
in 2017, Newsies became available for
licensing, allowing theatres all around the
country to mount their own productions.
But why was Newsies the musical such a
big hit? In addition to the award winning
choreography and score, the show spoke
to American culture in 2012. Just prior to
the show’s opening night on Broadway,
the Occupy Wall Street movement gained
momentum in lower Manhattan. Thousands
of protestors marched on Wall Street
decrying the wealth of the 1% on the backs
of the 99%. The David vs. Goliath story
of the Newsies in the musical mirrored the
protests happening just a few miles south of
the theatre.
The story continues to resonate today. The
themes of Newsies is reflected in protests in
cities all over the United States. Anywhere
that the “little guy” fights the establishment,
echoes of the newsies and the real
newsboys on whom this beloved tale is
based, are there.
Amy S. Osatinski
Production Director
If you are interested in learning more
about the original production of Newsies,
check out Newsies: Stories of the Unlikely
Hit by Kenneth Cerniglia, Disney Theatrical
Production’s resident Dramaturg and
Literary Manager and Disney Theatrical
Productions: Producing Broadway Musicals
the Disney Way by Amy S. Osatinski, the
director of this production.
NEWSIES
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