M – JACK KELLY, A fiercely loyal and charismatic orphan who dreams of a life out west and boldly leads the Manhattan newsies.

M/F – CRUTCHIE, Jack Kelly’s ever-optimistic best friend and fellow newsie; walks with the aid of a wooden crutch.

F – KATHERINE, An ambitious young reporter who works hard to make a name for herself; courageously uses her voice to cover the newsies’ strike.

M/F – DARCY, Katherine’s trustworthy photographer. 

M/F – MORRIS & OSCAR DELANCEY, Two toughs that work for the New York World.

M – WIESEL, A disgruntled manager of distribution for the World, often called “Weasel” by the newsies.

M/F – LES, Davey’s cheeky younger sibling who is inspired by the freedom of the newsies and loves their independent lifestyle.

M – DAVEY, Les’s straight-laced, bright older brother who acts as the brains behind the newsies’ strike.

M – JOSEPH PULITZER, A pompous businessman and Katherine’s no-nonsense father; does not sympathize with the strikers, but comes to respect Jack.

M/F – BUNSEN, Pulitzer’s bookkeeper, helps come up with the idea to raise the newsies’ price per paper.

M/F – SEITZ, An editor who advises Pulitzer, but ultimately admires the kids’ newspaper.

F – HANNAH, Pulitzer’s secretary, who disagrees with his plan to raise the price of papers.

M – SNYDER, The crooked warden of The Refuge. 

F – MEDDA LARKIN, A big-voiced singer and star of the Bowery who offers her theater as a safe haven for the newsies.

M/F – PAT, The stage manager of Medda’s Theater.

M/F – SPOT COLON, The proud leader of the Brooklyn newsies with an intimidating reputation.

M/F – DOROTHY (F) and BILL (M), Katherine’s friends whose parents own the New York Tribune and New York Journal, respectively; they help the newsies print the Newsies Banner.

M – GOVERNOR TEDDY ROOSEVELT,  A well-respected, lifelong public servant whom Jack admires.

M/F – ENSEMBLE OF NEWSIES, Strong singers and dancers that help tell the story of newsies. Includes characters such as Race, Albert, Muriel, Nancy, Specs, Pigtails, Hazel, Buttons, and others.