'Newsies' Musical To Paper Mill Playhouse In New Jersey

Jack "Cowboy" Kelly wanted to escape New York for Santa Fe. He'll have to settle for New Jersey.

"Newsies," the 1992 Disney musical movie about turn of the century orphan newspaper boys in New York City, is finally getting the long-discussed stage treatment. The New York Times reports that The Paper Mill Playhouse, a well-regarded off-Broadway theater, will stage a production of the musical in its 2011-2012 season, with music from its original lyricist and composer. Harvey Fierstein will help write the show.

The movie, which cost $15 million to produce, only made $3 at the box office as it was panned by critics. Since then, it's become a bit of a cult hit, performed in youth plays and inspiring Halloween costumes nationwide. Its star, Christian Bale, just won a Golden Globe and is an Oscar favorite for his role in "The Fighter."

Alan Menken, who wrote the music for the film, made sure that he got on board -- even if it wasn't going to mean much of a payday, something his agent made sure he knew.

"He told me: 'You don't have to get involved. They'll take your songs, and someone else will come and write new ones. I just want to let you know.' I said, 'Oh, no. No, no, no. It's my baby, no.' 'Alan, there's not going to be any money.' 'I don't care. I don't care, this is my baby.'"

This fall, it was reported that the show would be on Broadway. Of course, oftentimes it takes a successful run on a smaller stage to convince theaters to give it a shot in the bright lights, so that may still happen.

For more, click over to the NY Times.

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Comments

[AlexNYC]

12:39 PM on 02/16/2011

I recall reading that this was initially intended to be just a drama, but it was changed to a musical after most of the actors were cast. What if Christian Bale couldn't sing?

[MrsFreeze]

09:56 AM on 02/16/2011

it's fine life, carrying the banner! everybody, sing! ...

[kandem]

09:16 AM on 02/16/2011

My second all-time favorite movie!! (second only to Gone with the Wind) Thanks, HuffPo, for the morning sing-along with my coffee.

[stagebandman]

12:59 AM on 02/16/2011

I appreciate those who love this movie, but it was a big bomb at the boxoffice, and the songs were very forgettable. I just don't see this doing well. Sorry. Hope I'm wrong.

[ReasonIsMyReligion]

07:56 PM on 02/17/2011

My kids and I think the tunes were catchy enough to go for the CD.

Maybe if they had made it animated in 3D....

[ReasonIsMyReligion]

07:59 PM on 02/17/2011

And yet Billy Elliot was a hit.
Cheers.

[DrZee]

09:53 PM on 02/15/2011

I love this movie. Sometimes I play it in the background as I'm doing stuff around the house. Just plain ol' schmaltzy fun. Probably will have a lot of energy on the stage. Would love to experience that.

[kandem]

09:15 AM on 02/16/2011

Me, too!!

[Peaceride]

06:08 PM on 02/15/2011

I am BEYOND excited about this! One of my favorite movies as a kid :) I will surely support this off-Broadway! Can't wait to see it!

[moramax]

03:27 PM on 02/15/2011

The Papermill Playhouse is a regional theater, not an off-Broadway theater. Harvey Fierstein isn't helping to write the show. He is writing a new book for the musical, based on the screenplay by Bob Tzudiker and Noni White. The score will include all of the movie's songs and has new songs written by Alan Menken and Jack Feldman.

Now this would be perfect news if they can only get Jo Ann Harris (my favorite singer of all time) to come back to play Patrick's mother again!

[chrissy78]

03:11 PM on 02/15/2011

This is literally the best news ever. Carrying the Banner!!!!!

[jennysez]

02:52 PM on 02/15/2011

Awesome!

I don't care, I love Newsies!

Open the gates and seize the day!

[ReasonIsMyReligion]

02:40 PM on 02/15/2011

Best news I've heard since Hosni scrammed.

"For a dreamer, night's the only time of day."
-- Jack Kelly (Christian Bale), in Newsies