The Tony Award-winning Newsies is a musical based on the 1992 film Newsies, which in turn was inspired by the real-life Newsboys Strike of 1899 in New York City. Young and poor, delivery boys from across New York City made headlines and so will your performance.
Backdrops By Charles H. Stewart offers 36 unique backdrops that would be perfect for setting the stage for your next performance of Newsies! Let’s find out more about this catchy musical and the themes that are still relevant today.
A Little Background About Newsies, The Musical
While the musical Newsies is based on the real-life story of the Newsboy Strike of 1899, nearly 124 years ago, there are still themes that are relevant in today’s society. Social injustice, exploitative labor practices, the importance of standing up for one’s rights and the ultimate power of hope are just a few of the dominant themes explored in the musical.
The musical Newsies chronicles the story of the rebellious and somewhat hopeful New York City newspaper delivery boys who are just scraping by financially. When publishing giant Joseph Pulitzer raises newspaper prices at the newsboys’ expense, the delivery boys take action.
The main character Jack “Cowboy” Kelly organizes a newsboys’ strike. After all, they are already living in poverty and can not even afford the scant wages they make as it is. Jack and his friend David Jacobs serve as the “voice” and the “brains” of the movement respectively, and plan to band together to fight the most powerful.
Throughout the show, the newsboys put on rousing numbers such as Seize the Day, Once and For All, Sante Fe, and Something to Believe In which will have audiences excited to support the young men.
In the end, the city and the powerful men who run the newspapers realize the power of the “little guy” and how banding together can change the world, or at least your little corner of the world.
Our Favorite Newsies Backdrops
Since Newsies takes place in New York City, and in particular the poorer sections where the newsboys live, there are several options to display the living conditions that the young delivery boys live in.
This NYC Tenement Backdrop #2336 depicts a NYC tenement block in the shadow of the Big Apple. This would serve well during the scenes where the young men discuss their plan of upheaval and show the conditions they survive daily.
This Newspaper Backdrop #2408 shows the different sections of a good old-fashioned newspaper with headlines and color photos.
This Newsies Backdrop #3115 allows audiences to view a newspaper-themed backdrop showing papers at the top and the printing factory at the bottom.
To view all the Newsies Musical backdrops offered, please visit the show suggestions page and click on Newsies.