Newsies: Ron Raines to play Joseph Pulitzer

Ron Raines plays the role of 'Joseph Pulitzer' from 9 Oct - 16 Dec 2012 in the Broadway premiere of the musical Newsies. He temporarily replaces original cast member John Dossett, who left the company to star in the Public Theater's production of the musical Giant.

Raines was nominated for a 2012 Tony Award for his role as 'Benjamin Stone' in the recent revival of 'Follies.' Other Broadway credits include Chicago, 'Teddy & Alice' and 'Show Boat.' His TV work include starring as "Alan Spaulding" in "The Guiding Light" for which he received three day time Emmy nominations.

The musical's principal cast currently features Corey Cott (Jack Kelly), John Dossett (Joseph Pulitzer), Kara Lindsay (Katherine Plumber), Ben Fankhauser (Davey), Andrew Keenan-Bolger (Crutchie), LaVon Fisher-Wilson (Medda Larkin) and, Nicholas Lampiasi and Jake Lucas (alternating the role of Les).

Newsies has a score by eight-time Academy Award winner Alan Menken (Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, Sister Act), lyrics by Jack Feldman and a new book by four-time Tony Award winner Harvey Fierstein (La Cage aux Folles, Torch Song Trilogy), adapted for the stage from the 1992 live-action Disney feature film musical of the same name.

The musical, directed by Tony nominee Jeff Calhoun (Big River revival) and choreographed by Tony nominee Christopher Gattelli (South Pacific revival), is set in New York City at the turn of the century, and tells the tale of Jack Kelly, a charismatic newsboy and leader of a ragged band of teenaged 'newsies,' who dreams only of a better life far from the hardship of the streets. But when publishing titans Joseph Pulitzer and William Randolph Hearst raise distribution prices at the newsboys' expense, Jack finds a cause to fight for and rallies newsies from across the city to strike for what's right.

Newsies is inspired by the real-life 'Newsboy Strike of 1899,' when newsboy Kid Blink led a band of orphan and runaway newsies on a two-week-long action against Pulitzer, Hearst and other powerful newspaper publishers.

Following a pilot production at Paper Mill Playhouse last fall, the show unexpectedly came to Broadway for a 12 week run. Opening with ticket sales from all 50 states, the limited run proved so successful that it was extended another 10 weeks, through 19 Aug 2012. Another round of critical praise following its Broadway opening and 23 major theatrical nominations - including eight Tony Award nods - followed. On the 19 May Disney Theatrical production announced the show would play an open ended run.

Newsies opened at the Nederlander Theatre on 29 Mar 2012, following previews from 15 Mar 2012.

The musical opened to mostly excellent reviews: Good, old-fashioned family entertainment (NY Daily News); Make a beeline for this Disney winner (Back Stage); Corker of a family musical (Variety)

The musical is adapted from the 1992 movie which also features a score by Alan Menken ad lyrics by Jack Feldman. The stage play for the movie was written by Bob Tzudiker and Noni White.

Ron Raines