Newsies: Stories of the Unlikely Broadway Hit

by Ken Cerniglia

During the summer of 1899, a ragtag band of newsboys stood up against the most powerful newspaper publishers in New York City to demand a fair shake. In the spring of 1992, Disney released a live-action musical film based on these historical events. Newsies inspired a generation of musical-theater performers and fueled a fervent, almost cultlike, fan base that ultimately demanded that this story be brought to the stage. However, it wasn't until two decades later, after beating countless odds, this musical about a very unlikely triumph achieved by youngsters landed on Broadway and became a veritable hit. Newsies: Stories of the Unlikely Broadway Hit features more than one hundred first-person accounts of the creation and impact of Newsies--from historical research, film, production, and stage development through the musical's first anniversary on Broadway.

Genres: Nonfiction, Theatre

160 pages, Paperback

First published October 29, 2013

Reviews

[Josh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was first introduced into the world of Newsies when two of my friends and I, as high school seniors, went to a sneak preview of the movie way back in 1992. I loved every minute of it. In my mind, it was a wonderful musical with a great historical story, and lots of great singing and dancing. I was such a fanatic that I bought the tape cassette of the soundtrack, sent away for the musical lyrics, and kept the souvenir newspaper that was given away during the sneak preview. I still have all of these items 23 years later!!

Flash forward to 2012 and me at 38 years old. I had gotten word that a Broadway version of Newsies was going to be playing in New York City during my spring break trip there. I was super excited and dying to see this production on stage. Unfortunately, I had to choose between seeing Evita with Ricky Martin or Newsies. I chose the former, but I still bought a Newsies magnet for my refrigerator and the original Broadway cast recording on CD. Newsies fandom never left my blood!

Flash forward to 2015 and the touring company of Newsies is coming to San Francisco. Finally!! This is my chance to see this show that has occupied a special place in my heart for more than 2 decades. And what an experience it was! It lived up to my expectations and far surpassed them. I loved every musical, dancing minute of this show. In fact, I loved it so much, I saw it twice during it's run in San Francisco.

One of the souvenirs, among the many I bought, was this book detailing the journey from movie conception to Broadway sensation. It was so wonderful getting to read about all the blood, sweat, and more sweat it took to get produced by people who felt a wonderful connection to this story and wanted to show how much love they had for the material. You get to hear from writers, directors, theater staff, cast members from both the original movie and the new show, production crew, and even more than 3 dozen fans of both the movie and the Broadway show. This was a fun companion piece to the stage musical.

Forever will I be a Newsie!!

[Lana · Rating 5 out of 5]

got to be katherine and found it to be a FAT slay so there’s that xx
catch me on broadway soon baddies

[Russell Sanders · Rating 5 out of 5]

In 1992, the Disney Studios released a live action musical film that quickly totally flopped. That film was called Newsies, the story of the newspaper boys’ strike in New York City in 1899. But the film, nevertheless, was released on videotape, and it became a phenomenon. Kids, mostly, watched the tape over and over, and a cult following developed. These Newsies lovers became known as Fansies. Years passed, and Fansies were continually clamoring for a stage version of Newsies so they could perform their beloved work. Disney finally heard the call and decided to develop a version that could be performed by amateur and regional theaters. But along the way, the stage version of Newsies took on a life all its own, and, like the film, it became unstoppable. Editor Ken Cerniglia, in Newsies—Stories of the Unlikely Broadway Hit, has put together an utterly charming, incredibly thought-provoking, wildly instructive, and thoroughly flag-waving book. From the first stories of the history of the newsboys’ strike to the last pages of reflections by cast members and others involved with the Broadway show, Cerniglia has created a book that can’t be put down. This is a fantastic chronicle of a Broadway show from start to finish, from seed to tree, from flop movie to mega stage hit. It instructs its readers in the process of designing, staging, choreographing, lighting, and costuming a hit musical. It inspires aspiring hopefuls as they make their journey to theater professionals. This is, without a doubt, the best book of its kind I’ve ever read, and I tend to pick up any book I see that analyzes a hit show (or a flop, for that matter.) This book is a must have for Fansies. But it is also a book that all theater aficionados should own, should read, should cherish. I saw the touring company of Newsies, and the next day I started reading Cerniglia’s book. After only a few pages I was kicking myself because the company had finished its run the day I saw it and had by then already moved on to its next stop. I so wanted to see the show again—and again and again, thanks to Cerniglia and the wealth of information and love contained within his pages.

[Zee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve read a number of making-musical books, and none of them have ever included interviews from every part of the cast and crew, and it was a welcome addition. But I don’t really want to read 4 very large pages about marketing and sales. I want to read 4 more pages of random cast stories and brooms breaking mid-scene. The editor also was bad catching punctuation mistakes and formatting. Also it could have used some flashy photos.

[Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an exciting look into the behind-the-scenes of my favorite Broadway musical. It has inspiring stories from the production crew and hilarious backstage tales from the actors. It's an engaging read, especially for fansies like me. Pictures of fansies with the cast are also featured.

[Kaitlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been waiting to read this book for three years, and the wait was worth it! It provided an insightful look into the history behind the newsboy strike of 1899, the 1992 film, the 2011 Paper Mill production, and the Broadway run! It was fascinating to read the behind the scenes perspectives of cast and crew alike as the story of the newsies of New York made its way to Broadway and beyond.

Special thanks to the London Public Library in Ontario for acquiring this book and keeping it in circulation!

[Jeff J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating oral history of the musical. Includes contributions from everyone involved, including the cast, production team, and Disney executives. We're seeing the show in March so I thought I'd read up on the background story, but didn't expect to find it so engrossing!

[Tzivi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book. Made me love my favorite show even more.
The absolute love coming from every person involved was apparent, and I will recommend this to everyone who likes either the show or the movie.
It was a perfect triumphant story, especially considering what Newsies itself is about.

[Holly]

Now I want to watch Newsies approximately 1,000,000 more times!

[Blakely Manderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jeremy Jordan signed my copy! A must for any fansie! Such a great behind-the-scenes look at an incredible show:)

[Chelsea Hazlehurst · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just brilliant perfect for any fan of the show