During the 2014-15 season, the tour will play 25 cities, over 43 weeks, including (in alphabetical order) Atlanta (Fox Theatre), Baltimore (Hippodrome Theatre), Boston (Boston Opera House), Charlotte (Blumenthal Performing Arts), Chicago (Bank of America Theatre), Columbus (Ohio Theatre), Dallas (AT&T Performing Arts Center /Winspear Opera House), Durham (Durham Performing Arts Center), Houston (Hobby Center for the Performing Arts), Las Vegas (Smith Center for the Performing Arts), Los Angeles (Pantages Theatre), Louisville (Kentucky Center for the Arts), Miami (Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts), Nashville (Tennessee Performing Arts Center), Orlando (Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts), Philadelphia (Academy of Music), Pittsburgh (Benedum Center), San Antonio (Majestic Theatre), San Francisco (Orpheum Theatre), Schenectady (Proctors), Toronto (Princess of Wales Theatre), Tucson (Centennial Hall), Washington, D.C. (National Theatre) and Waterbury (Palace Theater).
Casting and engagement dates will be announced at a later time.
“We continue to be overwhelmed by the passion and support for Newsies on Broadway and are elated that the show will continue on the road,” said Thomas Schumacher, president and producer, Disney Theatrical Productions, in a statement. “The enthusiasm from North American audiences and theatres for a Newsies tour has been palpable, proving that the affection for this title is deeper and more widespread than even we imagined. I am so proud that patrons will soon have the opportunity to enjoy Newsies in their own backyards.”
Disney Theatrical Productions originally developed Newsies, based on the film of the same name, for licensing in response to requests from professional and amateur theatre groups, and Paper Mill Playhouse hosted its four-week pilot production in summer 2011. Audience response to that production prompted a transfer to Broadway for a limited run. Following strong ticket demand and numerous awards, the musical is now playing an open-ended run.
In December 2012 Newsies became the Disney production to turn a profit fastest, doing so in just 41 weeks. Newsies features a Tony Award-winning score with music by eight-time Academy Award winner Alan Menken and lyrics by Jack Feldman, with a book by four-time Tony Award winner Harvey Fierstein. Produced by Disney Theatrical Productions, the musical is directed by Tony nominee Jeff Calhoun and choreographed by Christopher Gattelli, who won a 2012 Tony Award for his work. A cast recording preserves the score.
"Set in New York City at the turn of the century," Newsies, according to press notes, is the "rousing tale of Jack Kelly, a charismatic newsboy and leader of a ragged band of teenaged 'newsies,' who dreams only of a better life far from the hardship of the streets. But when publishing titans Joseph Pulitzer and William Randolph Hearst raise distribution prices at the newsboys' expense, Jack finds a cause to fight for and rallies newsies from across the city to strike for what’s right."
Visit NewsiesTheMusical.com for details.
