Premier of Disney’s NEWSIES
NEWSIES, the new American musical, features a Tony® Award-winning score with music by eight-time Academy Award® winner Alan Menken and lyrics by Jack Feldman, a book by four-time Tony® Award winner Harvey Fierstein and is produced by Disney Theatrical Productions, NEWSIES is directed by Tony® nominee Jeff Calhoun and choreographed by Christopher Gattelli, who won a 2012 Tony Award® for his work. The entire creative team has reunited to bring the break-out smash musical to audiences across North America.
Set in New York City at the turn of the century, NEWSIES 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.
NEWSIES is inspired by the real-life ‘Newsboy Strike of 1899,’ when newsboy Kid Blink led a band of orphan and runaway newsies on a two-week- long action against Pulitzer, Hearst and other powerful newspaper publishers.
Tony® Award-Winning Smash Musical Premiere of Disney’s NEWSIES
Premiering at Bass Concert Hall
2350 Robert Dedman Drive Austin, TX
September 27 – Oct. 2, 2016
Lexus Broadway in Austin presented by Texas Performing Arts
September 27 – October 2, 2016
Tuesday – Friday at 8 p.m.
Saturday at 2 p.m. & 8 p.m.
Sunday at 1 p.m. & 7 p.m.
Tickets start at $25. Tickets are available at BroadwayinAustin.com, the Bass Concert Hall box office, all Texas Box Office Outlets, by phone at (512) 477-6060. For groups of 10 or more, call (877) 275-3804 or email
Interview with Andy Richardson
Tell us about your character. I play the character of Crutchie, best friend of Jack Kelly. As the name suggests, Crutchie has a "bum leg" and uses a crutch to get around. What I love about him though, is that it's not a source of pity for him. It doesn't hold him back from being this magnetic and adorable guy who strikes right along with all of the newsies. How is this character like you? Different? Well, the obvious difference is that I don't use a crutch usually, Haha. But I would also say that there are little things, e.g. Crutchie's ready for a fight when he needs to be and I would shy away. But, I do like to think that I share Crutchie's optimism! I feel like I'm a naturally happy person and it's great being to able to share that joy with a character. He's always got a "smile that spreads like butter" and I can't help but smile whenever I do this show. I especially feel that during 'Carrying the Banner.' It's such a song of freedom and mirth because everyone is running around and about the set, dancing like crazy and just singing about how it's gonna be a good day. What's the biggest challenge for you in taking this role? Well, it did take me a little to get used to not using one leg, Haha. But I think the biggest challenge was trying to shy away from playing him as sorry for himself. Talking with Jeff Calhoun, our magnificent director, was great. It could be easy to read Crutchie's words or song as self-pitying, but it was so freeing and lovely to focus on his optimism and joy for life. How did you prepare for your role? I was actually a part of the original Broadway cast as Romeo, while I understudied Crutchie. Once or twice a week, we would have understudy rehearsals onstage at the Nederlander Theater. So I learned the role as an understudy, getting to actually go on a few times. As for the tour, since I already know the show and character it was just a matter of refreshing, Haha. I actually only had about three days of rehearsal before I made my tour debut. Without giving anything away, what's your favorite scene in the play? Well, to WATCH it has to be Once and For All. It's such a powerful song and a powerful moment in the action of the strike. Seeing everyone's determination with the song is so cool. I always get chills. To DO, I really love Letter From the Refuge. It's Crutchie's solo song in the second act. I won't give anything away, but as the name suggests it's a song when he's apart from everyone and at the Refuge - not a good place to be. It's emotional, but he still finds a smile in it. It's so cool being able to do this song since it wasn't in the show in New York. It's just a great, intimate look at who Crutchie is. What would you say to people to encourage them to come see Newsies at Bass Concert Hall? Newsies is a show really for everybody. Be it the stunning choreography, gorgeous and catchy music, or just the plain empowering message of resilience, Newsies delivers. It's a show and family I've been so happy and proud to be a part of since 2011, and I can't WAIT to bring it to my home state of Texas!
