DIRECTED BY JIM CORTI

Music by Alan Menken. Lyrics by Jack Feldman. Book by Harvey Fierstein. Based on the Disney Film written by Bob Tzudiker and Noni White. Originally produced on Broadway by Disney Theatrical Productions.

September 4–October 20, 2019

When newspaper prices go up, delivery boy Jack Kelly organizes a strike to fight back.

STRAIGHT FROM THE HEADLINES of turn of the century New York comes the true story that had Broadway roaring before it even opened. Featuring unforgettable songs audiences have fallen in love with again and again and a story that will make you want to stand up and cheer, Newsies is the perfect show to open up our ninth season.

High in the skyscrapers of New York City, Joseph Pulitzer is plotting a way to increase the revenue of his declining newspaper; while down in the streets, newsboys hawk papers on corners barely making enough to survive. When Pulitzer raises the price of the paper, delivery boy Jack Kelly organizes a strike to show Pulitzer and his gang of cronies they’re not going to be pushed into the gutter.

Based on the 1992 movie, Newsies is a rousing musical nominated for 8 Tony Awards, winning Best Choreography and Best Score. Featuring music from Alan Menken, the 8-time Oscar-winning genius behind scores from some of the most popular Disney films of all time, including Aladdin, The Little Mermaid, Pocahontas and Beauty and the Beast, Newsies is refreshing, inspirational and a huge feel-good show for the whole family. Want good news? Then you want Newsies.

Newsboys go on strike to show a greedy publishing tycoon they’re not going to be pushed into the gutter in Disney’s Newsies, September 4-October 20, 2019 at Paramount Theatre. Photo by Liz Lauren.

(from left) Travis Austin Wright, Jarais Musgrove and Evan C. Dolan play fleet-footed newsboys in Disney’s Newsies. Photo by Liz Lauren.

Newsboys and devoted friends Crutchie (Michael Kurowski) and Jack Kelly (Alex Prakken) dream of better things on a New York rooftop in Paramount Theatre’s production of Disney’s Newsies. Photo by Liz Lauren.

Jerica Exum plays Medda, owner of a burlesque theater who stands firmly for the newsboys’ strike for fair pay, in Paramount Theatre’s production of Disney’s Newsies. Photo by Liz Lauren.

Newsboys go on strike to show a greedy publishing tycoon they’re not going to be pushed into the gutter in Disney’s Newsies, playing September 4-October 20, 2019 at Paramount Theatre. Photo by Liz Lauren.

Newsboys go on strike to show a greedy publishing tycoon they’re not going to be pushed into the gutter in Disney’s Newsies, September 4-October 20, 2019 at Paramount Theatre. Photo by Liz Lauren.

Justine Cameron (center) plays Katherine Plumber, a brash young journalist who stands firmly for the newsboys’ strike for fair pay, in Paramount Theatre’s production of Disney’s Newsies.Photo by Liz Lauren.

Newsboy Jack Kelly (Alex Prakken, left) offers a strike over deal to New York publishing tycoon Joseph Pulitzer (Brent Tuomi) in Paramount Theatre’s production of Disney’s Newsies. Photo by Liz Lauren

Alex Prakken (front and center) is charismatic newsboy Jack Kelly who convinces his fellow newsboys to go on strike in Paramount Theatre’s fleet-footed new production of Disney’s Newsies. Photo by Liz Lauren.

Justine Cameron (left) is brash young journalist Katherine Plumber, and Alex Prakken plays charismatic newsboy Jack Kelly in Paramount Theatre’s production of Disney’s Newsies. Photo by Liz Lauren.

Back to Top

Meet the Team

Artistic Team

Jim Corti ‡

Director

Paramount Theatre’s Artistic Director and 8-time Jeff Award winner

Joshua Blake Carter

Choreographer

Tom Vendafreddo

Music Director & Conductor

William Boles †

Scenic Designer

Jordan Ross

Costume Designer

Victoria Bain †

Lighting Designer

Adam Rosenthal

Sound Designer

Joe Burke

Projection Designer

Katie Cordts

Wig, Hair & Makeup Designer

Ethan Deppe

Electronic Music Designer

Susan Gosdick

Dialect Coach

Bobby Wilhelmson

Fight Choreographer

Matthew McMullen *

Stage Manager

Maegan Burnell *

Assistant Stage Manager

Trent Stork

Associate Director

Sam Groisser

Assistant Music Director & Associate Conductor

Cast

Alex Prakken *

Jack Kelly

making Paramount Theatre debut

Nathaniel Buescher

Les

previously in Newsies

Justine Cameron

Katherine Plumber

making Paramount Theatre debut

Michael Ehlers *

Snyder

previously in Legally Blonde, Elf, The Little Mermaid, Hairspray, Newsies, and Rock of Ages

Jerica Exum *

Medda Larkin (September 4-October 7)

previously in Newsies

Daniel Font-Wilets

Les

previously in Newsies

Michael Kurowski *

Crutchie

previously in Once and understudy in Million Dollar Quartet

Koray Tarhan

Davey

making Paramount Theatre debut

Bret Tuomi *

Joseph Pulitzer

previously in Annie

Tom Avery

Buttons, Scab

making Paramount Theatre debut

Anthony Avino *

Mush

previously in Newsies

Katherine Lee Bourné *

Nun, Woman, Bowery Beauty, u/s Medda (September 4-October 7) Medda Larkin (October 9-20)

previously in Newsies

Joe Capstick *

Tommy Boy, Scab

making Paramount Theatre debut

Grant Carriker

Romeo

making Paramount Theatre debut

Kevin Corbett

Morris Delancey, Darcy

making Paramount Theatre debut

Ann Delaney *

Nun, Hannah, Bowery Beauty, u/s Katherine

previously in Into the Woods and Newsies

Jordan De Leon *

Henry, u/s Davey

making Paramount Theatre debut

Vasily Deris *

Weisel, Mayor

previously in Kinky Boots, The Secret of My Success, Newsies and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

Evan C. Dolan *

Race, u/s Crutchie

previously in Newsies, Beauty and the Beast, and Sweeney Todd

Ryan Dooley

Bunsen, SM, Camera Man, Goon

making Paramount Theatre debut

Neil Friedman *

Nunzio, Mr. Jacobi, Roosevelt, Goon, u/s Pulitzer

previously in Newsies

John Gurdian

Seitz, Policeman, Guard, u/s Delancey Brothers, Weisel, Mayor, Snyder, Nunzio, Mr. Jacobi, Roosevelt, Bunsen, Man, Stage Manager, Camera Man

making Paramount Theatre debut

Luke Halpern

Swing

previously in Newsies

Christopher Kelley *

Specs

previously in Cinderella, Kinky Boots, Beauty and the Beast, Newsies, The Producers and The Wizard of Oz

Ivory Leonard IV

Elmer

previously in Newsies and The Producers

Jarais Musgrove

Splasher

making Paramount Theatre debut

Nich O’Neil

Albert

previously in Newsies and The Wizard of Oz

Jessica Palkovic

Swing

previously in The Wizard of Oz and Cabaret

Drew Porrett

Mike

making Paramount Theatre debut

Haley Jane Schafer *

Nun, Woman, Bowery Beauty (October 9-20)

previously in The Secret of My Success, Newsies, The Producers, Elf, The Little Mermaid and Mamma Mia!

Ken Singleton *

Oscar Delancey, Bill, Man, u/s Jack

previously in Newsies

Jonny Stein *

Finch, Spot Conlon

previously in Mary Poppins, West Side Story, The Who’s Tommy and Cats

Travis Austin Wright *

Jo Jo, Scab

previously in The Secret of My Success, Newsies and The Wizard of Oz

* indicates member of Actors’ Equity Association (AEA)
† indicates member of United Scenic Artists (USA)
‡ indicates member of Stage Directors and Choreographers Society (SDC)

Back to Top

a family-fun, visually spectacular ‘Newsies’… 3 out of 4 stars

Chris Jones

Chicago Tribune

Chicago Tribune

delivers plenty of old-fashioned fun, exciting song and dance

Catey Sullivan

Chicago Sun-Times

Chicago Sun-Times

a splendidly gritty revival… 3.5 out of 4 stars

Barbara Vitello

Daily Herald

Daily Herald

a spirited, heartfelt take… rousing tunes and jaw-dropping dancing

Emily McClanathan

Broadway World

Broadway World

Highly Recommended… once again demonstrating why it’s one of our most highly-respected professional Chicagoland venues

Colin Douglas

Chicago Theatre Review

Chicago Theatre Review

News flash, Paramount’s production of Newsies is a HIT!

Chicago Now

Chicago Now

you are in for a treat in this one

Alan Bresloff

Around the Town Chicago

Around the Town Chicago

This is definitely a production worth shouting about

Noel Schecter

Newcity Stage

Newcity Stage

delivers a rock ‘em sock ‘em cast and sweeping spectacle in a high-stepping musical delight

Ed Tracy

Conversations with Ed Tracy

Conversations with Ed Tracy

an entertaining, and even inspirational musical

Rikki Lee Travolta

Northwest Herald

Northwest Herald

It was wonderful! One of my favorites so far.

Ashley T.

Patron, Facebook

It was so good!!!!

Julie S.

Patron, Facebook

The dancing and choreo were amazing. Loved the show!

Mary F.

Patron, Facebook

Great performances!! Another excellent show at the Paramount!

Linda M.

Patron, Facebook

Great production, great performers and the sets are the best

Selina B.

Patron, Facebook

Back to Top

Behind the Scenes

Back to Top