“Extra! Extra!” Cast & Creative Team Announced for Disney’s Newsies Presented by Kavinoky Theatre at Shea’s 710 Theatre

Musical Kicks-off “Curtain Up” Weekend & Runs from September 12 – 29, Tickets go on sale August 9

D’Youville Kavinoky Theatre and Shea’s Performing Arts Center are pleased to announce casting for Disney’s Newsies, The Broadway Musical.  The three-week engagement opens at Shea’s 710 Theatre on Thursday, September 12, as Buffalo’s Theatre District Association celebrates “Curtain Up” weekend, and runs through Sunday, September 29, 2024.  

Glen Chitty

Newsies, is set in New York City in 1899. Based on true events, it tells the captivating story of a band of underdogs who become unlikely heroes when they stand up to the most powerful men in New York. It’s a rousing tale about fighting for what’s right... and staying true to who you are. 

They delivered the papers until they made the headlines… The two-time Tony Award-winning show, has audiences and critics alike calling it “a musical worth singing about!” (The New York Times). Filled with one heart-pounding number after another, it’s a high-energy explosion of song and dance you don’t want to miss. 

Newsies, produced by Kavinoky Theatre led by Executive Artistic Director Katie Mallinson, features Glen Chitty in the starring role as “Jack Kelly” and Heather Casseri playing lead “Katherine Plumber.” Supporting cast members include Kris Bartolomeo as “Specs/Spot Conlon,” Ryan Butler as “Davey,” R.J. Creighton as “Les,” Steve Copps playing “Joseph Pulitzer,” Lily Jones as “Medda Larkin,” and Matthew Rittler as “Crutchie.”  

Featured roles include Bobby Cooke as “Snyder/Mr. Jacobi,” Alex Anothony Garcia as “Morris Delancey,” Alejandro Gabriel Gomez in the role of “Wiesel/Mayor,” John Kaczerowski as Nunzio/Roosevelt, and Aaron Saldana as “Oscar Delancey.”  

In the ensemble are Melanie Kaisen as “Buttons,” Jack Catena as “Henry,” Thomas Evans playing the roles of “Albert/Bunsen,” Anna Fernandez as “Hannah/Nun/Bowery Beauty,” Connor Hesch playing “Mush,” Immanuel Rodriguez as “Romeo,” Austin Marshall playing “Racetrack,” Quinn Christopher McGillion as “Finch,” Sean Ryan as “Seitz,” Timiyah Love as Nun/Bowery Beauty/Katherine’s understudy,  and William Schimdt playing “Tommy Boy.” Derek Moran will serve as stage manager and Sean Ryan as dance captain. 

The creative team includes Eric Deeb Weaver as Director/Choreographer and Allan Paglia as Music Director, with Set Design by Primo Thomas, Props by Diane Almeter Jones, Costumes by Kari Drozd, Hair/Makeup by Susan Drozd, Lights by Brian Cavanagh, Sound by Geoff Tocin, and Fight Direction by Adriano Gatto.  

Heather Casseri

Disney’s Newsies the Musical was first produced in 2011, based on the 1992 film.  The music is by Alan Menken, lyrics by Jack Feldman, and book by Harvey Fierstein.   

Newsies is the kick-off performance for the 2024-25 Frey Electric Season at Shea’s 710 Theatre. Performances run on Thursdays and Fridays at 7:30pm, Saturdays at 8:00pm and Sunday matinees at 2:00pm. Orders for groups of 10 or more may be placed by calling Mary Oshei at (716)829-1153. Tickets to Newsies go on sale to the public on August 9, 2024. For more information or to purchase tickets visit: https://www.sheas.org/performances/disneys-newsies/