Newsies @ WPPAC: This 1992 Disney musical with 12 original songs from the eight-time Academy Award winning composer Alan Menken (Little Shop Of Horrors, Little Mermaid, Beauty & The Beast, Aladdin) was a box office bust on the big screen but a big hit on Broadway. There, with a book by Tony Award winner Harvey Fierstein (Kinky Boots), it earned 8 Tony-noms and two wins. The musical features the now classic songs “Carrying the Banner,” “Seize the Day,” and “Santa Fe”.

Newsies is inspired by the real-life Newsboys Strike of 1899 in New York City. It is the rousing tale of Jack Kelly, a charismatic newsboy and leader of a band of teenaged “newsies.” When titans of publishing raise distribution prices at the newsboys’ expense. Jack rallies newsies from across the city to strike when titans of publishing raise distribution prices at the newsboys’ expense. While on Broadway, Newsies received 23 major theatrical nominations on Broadway. Including eight Tony Award® nods. It and won 2 Tony® Awards, and a Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Awards for Score and Choreography.

Alex Prakken will reprise his role as Jack Kelly from the show’s National Tour in this production.