Extra! Extra! Newsies Heading to Broadway for Limited Engagement

As previously speculated, Disney's stage adaptation of Newsies is heading to Broadway. Directed by Jeff Calhoun and choreographed by Christopher Gattelli, the musical will play a limited run at the Nederlander Theatre beginning March 15, 2012. Opening night is set for March 29 with the final performance performance scheduled for June 10. No casting has been announced at this time.

Based on the 1992 film of the same name, Newsies features the film's original music as well as additional songs by composer Alan Menken and lyricist Jack Feldman, and a book by four-time Tony winner Harvey Fierstein. Inspired by the real events of the Newsboy Strike of 1899, Newsies follows a young New York City newsboy who leads a group of orphans in a protest against Joseph Pulitzer, William Randolph Hearst and other powerful newspaper publishers.

The stage adaptation received its world premiere at New Jersey's Paper Mill Playhouse earlier this fall in a production starring Jeremy Jordan (currently in previews on Broadway in Bonnie & Clyde) as Jack, John Dossett as Joseph Pulitzer, Kara Lindsay as Katherine, Mark Aldrich as Seitz, Helen Anker as Medda, John E. Brady as Wiesel, Kevin Carolan as Roosevelt, Julie Foldesi as Ms. Baum, Stuart Marland as Snyder, Michael McArthur, Jack Scott, Nick Sullivan and Laurie Veldheer. 

The New York Times reports that Newsies will be capitalized at a relatively thrifty $5 million. The Paper Mill production had been intended to launch the show for regional and student productions, but positive reviews and a small slate of new musicals being mounted on Broadway this season convinced Disney to bring the show to New York.