Newsies the Musical
Newsies the Musical: Music by Alan Menken, Lyrics by Jack Feldman and book by Harvey Fierstein. Newsies the Musical is based on the 1992 film Newsies which was inspired by the real-life newsboys strike of 1899 in New York City. The show is set in turn-of-the century New York City and revolves around newsboy Jack Kelly who becomes the leader of a band of teenaged “newsies” who strike when titans of publishing raise the distribution prices at the newsboys’ expense. 9 Roles + Ensemble and two acts.
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Sample Photos of Our Rental Costumes for Newsies
Pictures are representative of our rental collection, costumes may vary due to size and availability.
Rental Costumes for Newsies the Musical
What do you get when you request a FREE costume plot from The Costumer? We will send you the listing and costume description for the entire show, organized by act and scene for your convenience. The Costumer is proud to provide quality Children’s and Adult rental costumes for productions of Newsies the Musical! Group costume rentals for Newsies cover the entire cast including leads such as Jack Kelly, Crutchie, Joseph Pulitzer, Katherine Plumber, Davey Jacobs, and Medda Larkin as well as ensemble members like the Newsies, Bowery Beauties, and much more!
Newsies the Musical is the stage musical adaptation of the 1992 Disney film by the same name. The story of both the musical and film was inspired by the real-life Newsboys’ Strike of 1899. The musical follows seventeen-year-old Jack Kelly and his band of fellow “newsies” as they take up a strike against newspaper magnate, Joseph Pulitzer, when he raises the distribution prices of his papers. The musical features music by iconic Disney composer, Alan Menken, lyrics by Jack Feldman, and book by Harvey Fierstein which was based on the original film’s screenplay by Bob Tzudiker and Noni White. The musical first came to life onstage at the Paper Mill Playhouse in Millburn, New Jersey in 2011, before making its debut on Broadway at the Nederlander Theatre in March 2012. The musical earned eight Tony Award nominations in 2012 and won the awards for Best Choreography and Best Original Score.
The story begins on an early morning in July 1899, as orphaned newsboy, Jack Kelly, catches the last moments of the sunrise with his friend Crutchie on the rooftop of their Manhattan lodging house. While they look out onto the city, Jack shares with Crutchie his dreams of finally leaving New York and finding a better life out West (“Santa Fe – Prologue”). As dawn breaks, the rest of the newsboys in the lodging house awaken and get ready for yet another day of work, all while making the most it and finding as much joy as they can (“Carrying the Banner”). Jack and the rest of the newsies make their way to the distribution window for the New York World newspaper, where Wiesel runs the window and gives the boys their newspaper stacks, alongside goons Morris and Oscar Delancey. While picking up the stacks, Jack meets newsboy newcomer Davey and his nine-year-old brother Les. Unlike the Jack and his friends, Davey and Les have a home and a loving family, however the boys have been pulled out of school to work and support their family while their father recovers from an injury. Jack recognizes that Les’ young age will help attract more customers and sell more papers, so he offers to partner up with the two brothers.
Meanwhile, the World’s publisher, Joseph Pulitzer, frets over declining sales of his paper. Vowing to increase profits by any means necessary, Pulitzer decides to increase price of the papers for the newsboys, even though one of his employees voices that “it’s going to be awfully rough on those children” (“The Bottom Line”).
From the very start of Jack and his fellow newsies’ story, The Costumer will ensure that your audience is immediately transported to late 1890’s New York City with the help of our fabulous rental costumes! Jack Kelly and his fellow newsies will resemble that of scrappy young men simply trying to earn a decent day’s pay in an array of colored and collarless button-down shirts, coordinating vests, suspenders, earth-toned pants and plaid knickers! The newsies will all be adorned with coordinating earthy newsboy caps as well. Joseph Pulitzer will appear in stark contrast to the impoverished newsies in a dapper gray morning coat, handsome gray striped dress pants, matching gray vest, sharp Essex shirt, and an opulent ascot.
The story picks up near the end of the day, where it is evident that Les is a natural newsboy. However, Jack and the brothers’ revenues are disrupted when the corrupt Warden Snyder of the local youth detention center, The Refuge, recognizes Jack as an escapee from his cruel institution. Warden Snyder chases the boys through the back alleys of New York until the boys are able to find shelter in Medda’s vaudeville theatre. Jack introduces the brothers to his friend Medda Larkin, one of the Bowery’s most famous performers who Jack paints the occasional backdrop for. As Medda performs “That’s Rich,” Jack notices young female reporter, Katherine Plumber. Jack makes several attempts to flirt with the young professional woman, however the quick-witted Katherine rebuffs his advances. While the Bowery Beauties perform their routine on Medda’s stage, Jack makes one last attempt to get Katherine’s attention by sketching her portrait (“I Never Planned on You/Don’t Come a-Knockin’”).
The following day, the newsies are outraged to discover that the prices have been unfairly raised on their newspapers. Jack declares that the newsboys of New York should form a union and organize protests against the hike in prices (“The World Will Know”), while Katherine also decides to cover the newsies’ strike, for she sees it as an opportunity to be taken seriously as a journalist (“Watch What Happens”). Thus, the young newsies set off to unionize while overcoming obstacles such as scabs, Pulitzer’s goon squad, and much more as they attempt to “Seize the Day.”
This is only a mere glimpse at what The Costumer has to offer for Newsies the musical! With the help of our rental costumes, let your artistic vision come to life onstage and transport your audience to the newsies’ spirited world. Request your free plot today!
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