What is the summary of Newsies?

In this musical, homeless New York City newsboy Jack “Cowboy” Kelly (Christian Bale) befriends two newcomers to his trade, brothers David (David Moscow) and Les Jacobs (Luke Edwards). When publisher Joseph Pulitzer (Robert Duvall) sets new rules that make it harder for the young newspaper salesmen to make a buck, the boys go on strike. Bryan Denton (Bill Pullman), a journalist who’s sympathetic to their plight, gives them some tips in public relations, as the newsboys’ battle grips the city.
Newsies/Film synopsis

Is the musical Newsies based on a true story?

Newsies, which began life as a Disney movie before morphing into a brand-new stage musical at Paper Mill Playhouse, was inspired by a real-life event: the strike of newsboys against Joseph Pulitzer and other publishers who tried to take more than their fair share of the young workers’ earnings.

What is the main underlying message within the musical Newsies?

One of the most important themes in Newsies is that children can and do indeed have power. To give some historical context Newsies is set in a time when child labor laws were nonexistent. Never the less the newsies “seized the day” and proved that they are a force to be reckoned with and respected.

What does newsies stand for?

Children who sold newspapers on the streets were called “newsies”. The New York newsies went up against two newspaper publishers, Joseph Pulitzer of The World and William Randolph Hearst of The Journal, to fight for fair wages.

What is the meaning of newsies?

reporter
: a person who works in the news industry especially : reporter.

Was Kid Blink a real person?

Louis “Kid Blink” Baletti Kid Blink was 18 during the strike, and is described by papers at the time as an “undersized boy” with red hair and an eye patch over his left eye. He also went by the nicknames “Muggsy McGee” and “Blind Diamond.” Kid Blink was a charismatic leader.

Was Katherine Pulitzer real?

Her real name is Katherine Pulitzer—she’s the daughter of Joseph Pulitzer. It is true that Joseph Pulitzer had a daughter named Katherine. She was named after her mother, Joseph Pulitzer’s wife, Katherine Davis.

How did the newsboy strike of 1899 end?

The end of the strike This meant that boys who had trouble selling all their papers would not be forced to sell late into the night to avoid taking a loss for the day. The newsboys accepted this compromise, ending the strike and disbanding the union on August 2, 1899.

What is the ultimate goal of the Newsies strike?

The newsies were not willing to pay more for their papers to make up for a lack of headlines, so they decided to strike— their goal was to make the newspaper tycoons recognize them as legitimate members of the business, and treat them as such. The strike lasted two weeks, from July 19 to August 2, 1899.

Is Newsies a real word?

nounplural noun newsies. 1US informal A reporter.

How much did newsboys get paid?

Newsboys not only had to pay more for the newspapers they sold but they were not refunded for unsold papers. At the time newsboys were earning on average 26 cents a day. The articles paint a vivid picture of the challenges the newsboys faced and bring to life many of their colorful leaders.

What was Katherine plumber’s job?

KATHERINE PLUMBER –A reporter who wants to make a name for herself as a legitimate journalist in a time when women aren’t taken seriously.

Is Newsies based on a true story?

Newsies is based on the true story of Newsboys Strike of 1899 in New York City. Thousands of homeless and orphaned children are living in Newsboys lodging houses, including 17-year old Manhattan newsboy Jack “Cowboy” Kelly, who is a regular newsboy selling newspapers for Joseph Pulitzer and his paper, the New York World.

What is the newsies about?

Newsies NEWSIES tells the true tale of a courageous group of newsboys in a classic musical style. True story of a courageous group of newsboys who become unlikely heroes when they team up to fight an unscrupulous newspaper tycoon.

What is the theme of the newsies?

One theme that the musical NEWSIES offers is that children do indeed have power. The musical takes place during a time when oppressive child labor practices were a standard part of American life, and the Newsboys’ strike of 1899 was a major step towards child labor rights.