#Newsies say vote also

[ya-what--ya-erster]

Guys can we please please for the love of Jeremy Jordan please keep the newsies fandom non-toxic I don’t wanna have to leave like I did for bmc and deh cause I’ve seen some nasty shit going on and I need my safe space to stay safe please

[jackmkelly]

if the broadway votes video means more women in newsies so be it loved seeing all those faces

[allsassnoclass]

I was tagged by @4thbrighteststar for this funky tag game!

Pick four of your favorite characters from four pieces of media and let your tumblr people decide which one most suits your vibe.

tagging if you want: @clumsyclifford, @igarbagecannoteven, @ijustdontlikepeople, @chamaleonsoul

[make-friends-with-the-rats]

the broadway votes video is post newsies but PRE suffs and I will die on this hill

guys I'm so sorry but Katherine's costume is just NOT a convincing 1913 silhouette at all and the other dresses that the suffs are wearing actually look a tad earlier than 1913 as well

let's compromise and say 1904 because:

Teddy Roosevelt running for president (Jack Kelly is rightfully flipping out)

(Denton 😏)

Second Conference of the International Woman Suffrage Alliance, formation of "The International Woman Suffrage Alliance," and the adoption of the Declaration of Principles (the gold color was also officially adopted by the movement in 1904)

Women had been advocating for the right to vote (in America specifically) since the 1840s and even before

in other words, an important year for both the newsies and the suffs

also for reference:

^1913 women's wear

^c.1904/early Edwardian women's wear

Anyways, this puts broadway votes five years after newsies, nine years before suffs

[jack-kellys]

i hate the song something to believe in dearly and truly. it’s the one part of newsies i cannot reconcile because it’s just so bad

please fix it. or do something with it

it’s just not a banger i agree. alright.

send me issues from the Plot or Script of this darn show. and i’ll fix them onstage

so my rules for this is that i cannot cut the song. i cannot invent a scene bc i did that already & that’s cheating.

i do think tho that the key to being… fine with something to believe in is the scene right before. i think that scene MUST be fucking stellar in order for the song to be passable. and the scene before…augh. it could also be written better. the positionally of it and the context and the stakes are more interesting than what they say to each other. except. for.

“don’t say it like it happens every day. i’m not an idiot- i know girls like you don’t wind up with guys like me. i don’t want you promising nothing you’re just gonna have to take back later. but standing here tonight, looking at you… i’m afraid tomorrow’s gonna come and change everything.” EATS.

what’s rly important abt jatherine to me is that jack like. literally does not express his fears to anyone else except her. he talks about regret and anger with davey in wwh(r), i’m not counting that as fear. kath is the only person in the show he shares this with. and what he’s afraid of is being alone.

tomorrow coming means he did vote for the disbanding of the union, it means all the kids he loves are angry and done with him, tomorrow means everyone is gone from his life. (in his pov).

so katherine has a job with this song. she has to refute those fears, finally admit that she’s fallen for him, which means he won’t be alone, even if he leaves. he’ll be in her heart, he’ll have a home there, even if he were to get on a train the next day. she initially comes into this scene demanding something of him, but when she learns his actions were done out of this loyalty and his fear for others & himself… wow. “you snuck up on me, jack kelly. i didn’t even see it coming.” YOU KNOW?? going from “cocky little sonofa” to “of course there’s something” is wild for her

she needs to see him FULLY and completely by this point. idt she does until now, it has to be here for this scene & song to mean anything. this is her almost like. protecting his scared little heart. she says she’s in love (he doesn’t), she assures him it’s okay that it might be for a short time, that it’s random, that things like this CAN be something that happens any day. she offers terms that are accessible to jack, that can let him love her. belief conquers fear, undermines it, and if there’s something reporters are good at it’s getting to the root of something. she just has to take an angle that she didn’t expect from herself.

i think honestly the only line that genuinely bugs me abt this song is jack calling her “an angel come to save him”…. especially cause that boy ain’t white anymore we’ve grown passed that as a community so now it’s like. eugh like SURE, sure, but jack u did lead the strike. with ur boys. and ur leadership skills. and ur love for them. so i think this can be said as a knowing tease and she can wave it off and blush and whatever. u can make it cute i promise.

smth abt uksies that was stellar (wow what a shocker rizz is praising uk newsies…) was how emotive and present bronté’s kath was thru this song, she reacted to every word jack said to her. as long as she’s present i think this scene and consequentially the song can work. u just cannot forget abt katherine’s stakes and her journey of learning abt who jack kelly really is. it’s not a bad song bc it’s a love song it’s bad bc it’s not…. actually about how THEY fell in love. the courage and fear line from seize the day should’ve had a reprise moment here bc that’s what their relationship is based on.

if newsies rly was a love story i think that would be the proper theme through their whole arc together. jatherine is about fear and courage. and so is the show. tbh. just saying

[frogmanfae]

LOCAL NEWSIES ANALYSIS

ACT I

Jack doesn't have timing

Finch: smash

Holy fuck medda is so

ARE YOU BLIND?!!! S-SHES GOT NO CLOTHES ON!!!!

Step aside *shoves Davey away*

When they ran away from Snyder they just ran off stage so we were robbed of the chase scene :( it would have looked silly on such a small stage tho

Holy fucking shit medda

Davey is casted so so perfect

Katherine is so sassy holy shit

Uh. Bottom line was. Um. yeah so the guy who played Pulitzer actually spoke most of his lines that were supposed to be sung (and when he did sing it was pretty clear WHY this was) but he was good acting wise

Bunson said that the newsies will have to sell 25 more papers to make the same amount, which is mathematically incorrect sir

When the strike first started, after the union JUST voted to make it official and Jack was hyping everyone up, Davey was standing off to the side taking deep breaths and tapping his fingers on his legs and doing a couple of grounding techniques my therapist gave me for panic attacks (holy shit his actor was so autistic and definitely had anxiety and he also graduated from my high school like 5 years ago which was wild to see him again)

Les doesn't just say "I have a pencil!" he said "I have a pencil AT HOME" which to me really emphasizes just how impoverished the other newsies are. Even the ones who have homes don't have simple items (such as pencils) in those homes. Les isn't the only one of them who happens to HAVE a pencil. He's the only one who OWNS a pencil.

I wanna write a medda origin story (random thought I had)

During Jack and Davey's little dance thing in WWK Jack turned the wrong way and Davey had to nudge him to turn facing the back instead of the audience

There was a newsie in the ensemble who was so fucking pissed the entire show, especially during WWK, he put everything he had into that it was crazy shout out to him

At the end of WWH, Katherine started typing really dramatically and it actually looked more like autistic hand flapping (which I kinda love)

Davey talks with his hands a lot

The first scab looked like he was forced into this (not the stabbing, the show) he didn't throw down his papers, he dropped them and went "I'm with you 😐" and walked off stage

When they're striking and then weisel and the delanceys interrupt their songs, they didn't all stop at the same time and the last one you heard was Davey stopping after everyone

The delanceys took crutchie's crutch and literally like sabbed him with it before they dragged him off

Crutchie yelled for Finch as he was being dragged away

When crutchie was taken, the stage was completely empty except for him and the delanceys

During Santa Fe Jack was hyperventilating and he fell to his knees on the first couple notes. When he stood back up he kept leaning and looking over the railing like he was going to jump.

After he hit the last note of Santa Fe, he fell to his hands and knees near the edge and started wailing until the house lights came on for intermission

Les was really good omfg and it's apparently his first show like he's SO good it's insane

I got a newspaper purse during intermission :DD

ACT II

After viewing the program, the actor for Crutchie's day job is a MAILMAN (modern day newsboy pretty much)

Finch was laying face down on the table the entire time before Katherine walked in at the start of act II, including for the delivery of his line, "why do old people talk?"

The tap dancing was pretty good actually

When Crutchie says "so far they ain't brung us no food... Ha. Ha." he laughed like "heheh"

The music cut out earlier than in the original during letter from the refuge (it didn't stop, it just paused after "your best friend" and didn't continue until after the guard yelled) so "your brother, crutchie" was completely acapella and I sobbed

When the guard yelled from off stage to tell crutchie to quiet down, crutchie got this look of absolute terror in his eyes and it was heartbreaking

"Even Horace Greeley moved back to new York" "*waves his hand around like he's in class and really wants to get called on* OOH OOH YEAH! YEAH HE DID! AND THEN HE DIED!!"

"Dave (angry)" "Jackie (excited)"

Davey sounded pretty similar to Ben Fankhauser negl

Spot conlon was tall :( but he was scrawny asf so we'll accept it

At the rally, all the newsies were chanting "Jack Jack Jack Jack-" and Davey came and yelled "NEWSIES OF NEW YORK" and one guy just went "Jack?" and someone shoved him. Davey didn't acknowledge it.

Jack didn't storm away after the rally, someone paraded right in to the center of the floor and handed him the money where everyone was sure to see him and someone went "t-traitor! Youre a traitor!" And then the stage cleared until it was only Jack and Davey under two different spotlights, both looking at each other like they were about to cry. Jack looked at Davey like he wanted nothing more than to run to him and explain everything and Davey looked at Jack like he wanted to throw up. (Sobbing)

Jack and Katherine only kissed once, when she was threatening to punch Jack. All of the other kisses were replaced by hugs and to me that is so much more personal.

Jack seemed to be on the verge of tears for the entirety of Something to Believe In, like all he'd ever had was Santa Fe, but now there's something- some*one* who cares about him and he's gripping so hard onto that. He hugged her so tight I could see the tension in his muscles from the audience.

"... Oh no 😩 I know a printing press he'd never think we'd use 😮‍💨"

"Hey, ah- um, Jack? It's uh... It's good to have you back..." "... Shut up *teeny tiny loving smile*" your honor they're in love

The newsies all came into the audience during once and for all and the girlsie standing at the end of my row was singing harmony and she slayed so hard shout out to her

"Did you read this?? 😡😡 These kids put put a pretty good paper🤬🤬"

"I can't lower the price of papers-" "goodbye. *deadass walks out*" I CACKLED THIS WAS HILARIOUS

"*pouty, over his shoulder because his back is faced to Pulitzer,his arms are crossed, and his shoulders are up to his ears* it's a compromise we can all live with😤🫣"

Davey didn't lose any clothing :( but he also started out dressed more or less the same as Jack was so.

Katherine was blonde, which felt note worthy for some reason

Everyone cheered for medda the loudest during curtain call she was so fucking good

Davey kept stuttering throughout the show and at times it seemed like he was almost trying (and lowkey failing) to cover an accent of some kind but I know that his actor has an American accent because he and I are from the same town, which really feeds into my immigrant Davey hc

I can't get over how good Les was he's gonna grow up to be a star

Over all, this show was really fucking good

Also seriously, Medda. Girl if there's anyway you're reading this what on earth are you doing in the middle of fuck nowhere Pennsylvania?? I don't see many local actors who I believe can make it on Broadway, but you, you could thrive on Broadway.

Every one kept saying "San-ta Fe" and not "Sanna Fe" which felt note worthy

[bigmack2go]

Read also: https://www.tumblr.com/bigmack2go/764519916213764096/yk-the-new-broadway-votes-video-newsies-revival

Anyway round two of

backroundsies

So someone else i’ve had a specific face in mind, i may just have found. Its trent. Trent is the okdest newsie in the lodge near the navy yard and here

is what i decided he looks like. (Now that pic is obviously way out of focus but i hope it does the job)I’m pretty sure i also took him of a list of irl newsies but i couldnt say fir sure anymore

Clerk. (Tbh warhorse and cazzone look the same in my head, and trent and clarj are just blond versions of them. But that’s not what this is. I’m finding serious faceclaims here. Anyway Clark is a very respected boy, a mine worker, who lives in the lodge in sunnyside and well

That would be him right there

Then there’s Dia. Inspired by @chaosfairy18 ‘s OC from her fic “Rumor has it”. Now i have literally no clue what Diamond looked like in Chaos’s head but this is how i imagined her

Then theres Annie. Now, obviously Annie Kelly isn’t an oc but i still think she deserves a face! So heres what i got

And

For a face because i could not get a face shot of the other one that wasn’t absolute garbage

Then obviously theres stitches.

I’m still confused about the fact that she isnt canon

Anyway unfortunate i couldn’t find her in this

Anyway i couldn’t forget my man waffles and i just so happened to be lucky because he was one of the first, and recurring faces to show up. I’m talking about

And yes. He’s a bit old. But at this point he just looks so accurate to what waffles looks like in my head, I literally can’t even care…

Now i know who you’re proobably here for (no i dont.thats literally a lie. i just needed a way to introduce this next one)

Walker. Ofc. So lets see what we’ve got.

But uh. Here’s the thing. I couldn’t find him. He just wasnt there. I thought the face i had in mind was a pretty common one but well… apparently it isn’t. Anyway guess who i DID find while i was looking for him?

ITS TWIG!!!

Weeeeee

I know i didn’t even add ten yet but i’m kind tired so j’ll keep going tomorrow. But that was it for part two!

[dissectedgrrl]

why have rtc productions just ignored costumes when it wasnt sabm or tbjojd like come one

What The World Needs

Ocean is in a beautiful sea-green dress, her hair is up and she has a button which reads “Vote for Ocean” she also has a cross necklace.

The rest are in dirty newsies-esque outfits, like old minimum wage workers, their protest signs read “Vote For Ocean!” on one side, the other in small text which reads “We Make Close To” then a really large “0”

Noels Lament

Monique Gibeau of course

Mischa is dressed in a furcoat, with his beret of course.

Ricky is dressed as a priest of course.

The rest are dressed in dirty greaser-esque streetlife outfits, they also carry bouquets cause I said so.

This Song Is Awesome

Mischa is wearing his button-up of course, but he’s in cut up jeans, air jordans ofc, and vipers.

Constance would wear a suit, an ear piece, and sunglasses.

Ocean could wear a tank top which says “STREET LIFE” and carry a boombox. really baggy pants for her.

Ricky would wear like this stereotypical nerdy school outfit which is a onesie, which gets torn off for the final verse to reveal a basketball jersey that has “23” on it. pants can be bb shorts.

Noel and Jane could dress as paparazzi, in just business casual, which can be unbuttoned into shirts that are just different rapper merch

Talia

Mischa in his shirt with a red robe, and a kinda leafy vine crown thingy. Lot of necklaces and rings for him. Only one ring on left ring finger btw.

Boys wear a black suit and tie, not much else to say.

Ladies (except jane) wear like baby pink dresses.

Jane is in a white wedding dress, with a veil over her head the entire time. shes supposed to represent talia. Also flower crown for her to match with mischa! and an engagement ring!

Space Age Bachelor Man

Ricky in a dark blue polo, and black tapered cargo pants. He should have a cape with a blue galaxy print, and should wear a visor. Prince crown given to him by jane

Jane in a princess dress (BLUE) and heels, also a princess tiara. Cat ears plus mask ofc.

Ocean and constance in blue colored armor, but not like heavy knight armor yknow? Cat ears and mask. Ocean wearing queen crown (optional) cause shes the one who asks for the galaxy to be saved.

Noel in slightly heavier blue armor. Cat ears and mask as well. King crown.

ocean and noel being king and queen is NOT a shipping thingy trust me pleaseee

Mischa in kinda what rickys wearing BUT RED!!!!! dog ears! Holds a scepter, and has a kings crown but with a prominently red jewel.

The Ballad Of Jane Doe

Not much to say, Jane gets to wear a white suit, cause a dress would not go well upside down. White heels.

Everyone else in complete black, with veils and everything, umbrellas black too, but with white lights on the top cause i thought that was cool.

Sugar Cloud

Everyone in their costume they wore for their song!!! and they dont get taken off for the rest of the show. Constance doesn’t change into anything except letting her hair free, cause yknow being urself!!! Mischa can wear his red robe in talia amongst his unbuttoned shirt, and his talia crown if he wishes.

okay okay i LOVE THIS but this gave me a few ideas

ocean would def dress to impress BUT i imagine shed wear a suit or smth ?? smth VERY professional and election-ish if that makes sense ? her hair would still be up n shed deffos have her cross necklace still (it would stay on the whole show probably)

for tsia i think for a few minutes mischa would try not to crease his jordans but he gets too into the song . . . . so sadg.

OKAY OKAY HEAR ME OUT ON TBOJD

plague wear.

okayokayokayokay SO janes outift is still white but it kinda looks like this :

AND when she sings she slowly takes off her mask

everyone else is in black plague wear

like this !

they keep their masks on tho

ANDANDANDAND they still have the umbrellas BUT they also have light up lanterns !!

[sparkedblaze]

My favorite 92sies things 2: Electric Boogaloo

Part 1

Same T/W: violence, cursing, etc

Sarah stop hiding behind that curtain it's see through and also ur gay

Jack fighting the socks

"I'm just not used to whether I stay or whether I go matter to nobody." He says, with an army of children marching at his heels because he wanted to start a strike

"Got no legal cause" "Legal cause!" *point*

"The a l i a s o f J a a c k K e l l l y"

Pulitzer totally not blackmailing the mayor into doing what he wants

Flapflapflapflapflap

CCKCK Hurst

Spot being a hype man for no reason

"My pAl David"

"Whatarewespostadotothabumskissem"

"They're gonna be playin' with my hands alright"

"Nobodyain'tgonlistentousunlesswemakem!"

"TELLEM JACK!"

"I say that what you say is what I say"

Blink hanging off the balcony like a heathen

"Hello newsies! What's new!" *assorted simp noises*

HIGH TIMES HARD TIMES IDK HOW PEOPLE DON'T LOVE THIS SONG IT'S A FUCKING BANGER

Every single newsie sticking their chest out when they sing 'and I stick out my chest!'

Blink and Racer dancing with Medda

Jack dancing with Medda

Snitch's continuity errors

"That's Snider, as in 'snide'? Smile sir"

*Pulls Jack in by his jacket* IT'S SNYDER

"HE'S JUST A CHILD CAN'T YOU SEE THAT RACET R A C K"

David picking up the swing and then several newsies coming up to protect him bc they think of him as a friend now

"JACK you alright?!"

ALL OF THEM PROTECTING JACK WITH EVERYTHING THEY HAVE BC THEY KNOW THAT IF HE'S ARRESTED THE STRIKE COULD VERY WELL END BC THEY AREN'T SURE PEOPLE WILL CONTINUE WITHOUT HIM

KID BLINK TACKLING A FUCKING COP

ACAB BABYYY

Davey fighting to try and help Jack

"On the grounds of Brooklyn, your Honor."

Everyone dying laughing at that

Racer's 'old man trying to read a fast food menu look'

"We ain't got five bucks We don't even got five cents"

"How bout I roll ya for it? Double or nothin'?"

Dying laughing again

"HEY COWBOY NICE SHINA" ckckckckcckl

David's look when Denton tells Jack that the papers didn't print the story

David's utter disappointment when he finds out the truth about Jack and his family

"Remember Snyder? Remember me and Teddy Roosevelt and the carriage? Remember Roosevelt and the carriage?!"

"So ordered" "NO"

"Whaddya mean it never happened you were there?!"

Denton looking crushed when David finds out he's being transferred

Les stuffing his face, not giving a single fuck about what Denton is talking about. This kid has 0 chill and I love him

David crumbling the story before Denton's even gone

Les: *sees David throw a paper on the table* Les: Perfect I needed something to wrap my mf sandwich in

No one noticing the very visible David riding on the back of the carriage

"Sometimes I read 'em"

"I tell this city how to vote" *thinks to livesies 'And guess what he got elected.'* U sure bout that buddy?

Poke Pokepokepoke

"I must have you scared pretty bad old man."

The guy who gets thrown from the carriage

The very intimate moment they have when Jack presses David against the wall

"You don't know nothin' about jail"

"Guess what I done to his sauerkraut"

Stop the World! No more papes!

That redhead who I always think of as Albert

"Hey-heyhey Race C'mere Tell me I'm just seein' things Just tell me I'm seein' things-"

Every. Single. Reaction. To. Jack. Scabbing.

Blink's anger. Mush's desperation. Race's indignation.

SPOT'S ANGER. HAVING TO LITERALLY BE PULLED AWAY BECAUSE HE PUT HIMSELF AND HIS BOYS ON THE LINE FOR HIM AND HE FUCKING SCABBED.

"YOU'RE A LIAR." and the entire following statement

David Moscow's curls He's such a cutie

"WE DON'T NEED YOU"

DAVID ALMOST GETTING VIOLENT FOR THE FIRST TIME, BUT IT'S ONLY AFTER HE LOOKS AT THE OTHERS. HE'S TRYING TO GET VIOLENT ON THEIR BEHALF. BECAUSE THEY CAN'T DO IT THEMSELVES. IT'S TERRIFYING AND I LOVE IT

"Seize the day huh Jack?!" "He's foolin' em!" the desperation in Les's voice to believe this breaks my heart every time 😭

David: *climbs through window* David: *slams it closed* David: *walks in front of open window*

YOU'RE GAY AND DRAMATIC WE GET IT DAVID

"Are you gonna be requiring anything else this evening? No? Ah... tsk tsk."

"We're gonna go fix your pal Davey Fix him so he can't walk" *Morris disappointed head shakes* "Shut up"

Les swordfighting behind Sarah without a care in the world

Les taking roughly eight years to realize what's happening with Sarah

SARAH PUNCHING MORRIS

David throwing his hat off before trying to beat up the Delanceys

Morris's dumb little laugh😭

"Remember Crutchy?" *bonk*

"I can't be somethin' I ain't" "A scab?" "No, smart"

At least he knows

"I don't write anything I don't mean."

"But our man Denton-" "But I think our man Denton. Has something more important to do. I mean, he's gonna be an ace war correspondent. Right Denton?"

THE SASS

I LOVE DAVID JACOBS

WHOEVER DECIDED TO LEAVE LES ALONE WITH THE CAMERA WITHOUT SUPERVISION

Denton teaching David how to typeset

Once and For All

The entire thing

Can anyone explain to me how the printing press works?

Mush coming to the window twice. My mans is dedicated.

"Awfully nice of Mr. Pulitzer to let us use his press"

Boots throwing the papers from the roof into a square with like four kids

THERE'S MY LIL RAT BOY AGAIN HIIIII

"Hey kid. Can you read?"

The newsies (Skittery, Pie Eater, and someone else) taking their hats off when a lady opens the door

DIS-GRACE-FUL DENTY (read: Roosevelt and Denton have absolutely.... *clears throat* and that's his nickname for him)

"C'mon Jack" "Have hope Jack"

"When the circulation bell starts ringin', will we hear it?" "Nah"

Max Casella

Pap (this time with hat)

"B R O O K L Y N"

We aynt slavs

Not-Albert standing on the statue

Jack carrying Les on his shoulders

Bumlets carrying Boots on theirs

"It's like the end of the world- OhdearIdidn'tsaythat"

"Extrey extrey Joe Read all about it"

"Whatdoesthatmakeyou?"

"The walkin mouth" David: 😒

*Jack opens windows* Pulitzer: lalalalalalalala I can't hear you

DAVID MOSCOW'S EYES

"Well, we only used the best, Joe."

"We beat 'em" "We beat 'em!!"

Gio and Skittery spit-shaking

Skittery: Hiya Weas 😜

The newsies death glaring Denton when he tries to stop them from hiding Jack

"Make friends with the rats Share whatcha got in common" ^^

WHY DOES ROOSEVELT LOOK LIKE AN ANIMATRONIC?!

Race looks like he calls Roosevelt daddy and I can't stop seeing it someone help

Everyone pretending to be okay with Jack leaving, further proving that the newsies are not okay emotionally

The Jacobs crying

Blush leaning against the streetlight together

Them using the same sound byte of the little redhead from the beginning while David is buying his papes

"Attaboy Davey"

Jack's return

"HE'S BACK!"

Jack putting his hat on Les

"How's the headline today?" "Headlines don't sell papes, newsies sell papes"

David's first spit-shake

Our little boy is all grown up

[spinningerster]

Okay, so I gotta put this out there, cos I only noticed it the third time I went (plz don't judge me lol), so I don't know if this is every time or just the time I went. But did you see Spot wink at Davey and Davey looked terrified? Hahahaha

Also, Ryan deserves an Olivier for best supporting actor in a male identifying role. I kinda suspect that Matthew Duckett will be nominated though.

love this omg

I've only seen uksies once and we were sat pretty high up so I didn't notice everything but like it would make sense bc that's the first time Davey is meeting Spot and he's probably heard how intimidating Spot can be (not to mention everything the Manhattan newsies say about Brooklyn)

also um if Ryan doesn't get nominated I'm going on strike

can imagine Matthew getting nominated though, he's an amazing Crutchie! whichever cast members get nominated (Michael & Bronté most likely will) I'll 100% be voting for them

[fredzeppelin]

I should say I support voting, and to do your best to make it to the polls. I also support not taking shit from heckling newsies like TMZ.

[abvndonedbydisney]

[ alex boniello, cis man, he/him. ] ✧･ﾟ is that [ LEVI KELLY ] who just stumbled into town? rumour has it that they’re the [ TWENTY-EIGHT ] year old child of [ DAVEY AND JACK ] from [ THE NEWSIES ]. i’ve also heard that they’re [ ADVENTUROUS ] but [ FICKLE ] and have [ 2 ] siblings. i could almost swear i heard [ CAREFULLY - BEN PLATT ] playing when they appeared.

full name: levi kelly.

nicknames: none.

gender: cis man.

pronouns: he/him.

sexuality: bisexual, with lean toward masc. individuals.

age: twenty-eight.

date of birth: march 15th.

zodiac sign: pisces.

aesthetics: hands stained with ink, ripped denim jeans, a ‘i voted’ button proudly displayed on one’s chest, the wag of a dog’s tail, and the loud roar of a bustling city.

parents: davey and jack from the newsies.

siblings: two adopted siblings.

𝐁𝐀𝐂𝐊𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐘.

while little is known about levi kelly’s biological family, he never truly paid any thought to who brought him into this world. he was abandoned as a young child, his memories foggy to say the least. he was found practically wandering around the streets of new york, hungry and dirty. but relief soon came in the form of two individuals taking him in, deciding to raise the boy as their own. his childhood was unconventional, to say the least, his parents operating a boarding house for those who needed a place to stay. their house was always full of life, something that levi loved. but it occasionally became a bit overwhelming, especially when you wanted a place to think or be alone.

yet due to the childhoods that both of his parents had, they wanted to do everything in their power to give back to the community they loved so much. jack hadn’t stayed in sante fe, but he had certainly found a new dream with his family. his parents ended up adopting two other siblings throughout his childhood and as his family grew, so did levi’s happiness. he loved having siblings around to drag around the city on new adventures. but that also meant that he was no stranger to trouble, something he was usually able to talk his way out of with a crooked smile. yet there was something he couldn’t deny when it came to a good rush of adrenaline.

despite levi’s lack of interest in school, his father davey made sure that his son would get a good education. he struggled a lot in school due to a learning disability, but his fathers always did their best to help accommodate him while also providing him with gentle encouragement. but it was at school where he was able to see his crush the most often, someone he viewed as being out of his league. still, he tried to grab their attention any chance he could. when he finally ended up earning their affection, it felt as if everything fell apart. graduation came rolling around and they made plans to attend university outside the city, leaving their relationship and levi behind.

the heartbreak lingered throughout the years, but he was able to distract himself with random one-night stands along the way. break-up aside, levi was able to pave his way after graduation. he ended up working at an animal shelter where he took in strays and took care of them, much like his parents were destined to provide a place for those less fortunate than they were. while he still felt as if a big piece in his life was missing, he felt as if he had a purpose and an impact on others — and that was more than enough for him for the time being.

𝐑𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐎𝐌 𝐅𝐀𝐂𝐓𝐒.

family has always and will always be the most important thing in levi’s life. he would never truly be with anyone that his fathers or siblings didn’t approve of.

he has a golden retriever named oz that follows him everywhere he goes. he’ll probably be very lost without his best friend.

he has a slight aversion to romantic relationships now because he is afraid the people will always choose something else over him if possible.

he is extremely politically active and fights for the rights of others whenever possible.

���𝐀𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐃 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐍𝐄𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒.

both of his adopted siblings. ideally they would be younger than him because i imagine he’s very protective of his siblings, but it doesn’t matter.

[jack-kellys]

k so yall voted to see my 2023 final essay for a class called london in performance. which wasnt too serious. basically i compared the national theatre's phaedra [which i did not like that much tbh. one of the lines in my paper is "to truly send the criticism home, compared to the white critics who praised the play with four stars, Polish editor Andrzej Lukowski and Pakistani critic Arifa Akbar are the ones to only give two stars on the story that centers an illegal immigrant (The Stage)." just saying] as an adaptation of a classic greek play to the west end's general cash-in commercialization. and then my argument was that the center of that pendulum is somehow fucking newsies @ the troub im so sorry.

HERE ARE THE HIGHLIGHTS:

first of all i got to cite myself as like. an expert which was SO funny

"To preface, because of my five years of close knowledge about this subject matter, its multiple stagings, scripts, and casts, I am well aware that this musical as a whole is quite average."

importantly, my definition of a revival in this paper is "creating something accessible to a modern audience for the sake of improving and adapting an original source material into a performance". if it doesnt improve and/or adapt it then it fails imo

"Lines [in the script] that hold weight are sort of dropped, in favor of keeping the show hopeful at all times. The reflection lies in the younger generation taking hold of a new age, rather than in workers rights, child poverty and abuse, and unification.  Newsies at Wembley Park, the first professional revival and first iteration of the musical outside of the United States, flips this as a performance."

i called newsies 2012/livesies staging "left-right up-down" like a video game combo lmfao

"Wembley Park’s revival inserts viewers into the action of the city by default, but also the events that befall the newsboys.... Two police officers stalk in front of the audience as a scene with a new sense of impending doom plays out on the stage. The strikebreaking battle is... level with many of the audience’s seats, and boys escape officers and grown men through the aisles helping each other stand upright while shouts of “Move, move!” are called out .... as a pair hurry away up a ladder behind my aisle seat."

"The expansive take on staging (since as I said before, the musical itself is average) almost takes the place of design. ... Pulitzer’s desk resides on top of a platform of newspaper stacks, emphasizing his position in the hierarchy over the children selling those papers especially as the newsboys push it on with much effort. The towers are made to look like black metal with rust and peels. The lighting is white and natural during scenes. The ensemble’s costumes look more similar to each other, making them appear more unified visually compared to Broadway. The design is in the ensemble’s interactions, dance, and fluid movement through the city of the show, letting the performance and the dancers speak for themselves."

then mandatory michael section:

"What struck me the most watching it had to be Jack’s casting, and new character positionality within the context of the story. Never before has Jack Kelly been a Black newsboy union leader, not in any professional production. Played by Michael Ahomka-Lindsay, Jack’s role was much more electric. His fear of leading the strike became more personal, his baggage with the reform center gained more onstage intersectionality, his relationship with Katherine became even more complex and out of reach. It changes many of those past dropped lines, it made me hear lines differently than I had used to. It’s a more effective reflection that makes the events in the story a bit more tangible to an audience that could have initially been caught up in the grandiose dance numbers- not to mention the performance opening amidst strikes nationwide."

best part:

jack-kellys. "Welcome to..." Jack-Kellys, 23 Jan 2023, 3:46AM, this-is-what-i-mean-by-five-years-of-close-experience. 

[livesincerely]

take a shot (but how’s your aim?) ch. 6 - interlude: ceasefire

Also on Ao3. Chapter five here.

00000

Racetrack is still straddling the line between pissed off and goddamn furious by the time the gates open up, scuffing the toe of his boot against the cobblestones and cursing Jack’s name six ways from Sunday. Then he sees Davey making his way down the road, sees the look on his face, and his heart just about falls through his stomach.

“Aw, hell, Davey,” Racetrack exclaims, rushing over. “What the fuck did he do now?”

Davey’s lips twitch, like he’s trying to fake a smile but can’t quite manage it.

“It’s nothing,” he says, his eyes red rimmed and bloodshot. “I’m fine.”

“Like hell you are,” Racetrack says, linking his arm through one of Davey’s own and leading him away from the distribution line. “C’mon, we’s takin’ a day.”

“Race, I’m fine,” Davey protests.

“You are not fucking fine,” Race disagrees whole heartedly. “Your heart’s been gettin’ stomped on every which way ta Sunday—the last thing you need is ta spend the day out in the broiling’ sun sellin’ papes. We’re takin’ a day.”

“Race,” Davey tries again, but Racetrack just keeps pulling him along, undeterred.

“Hey, Al!” Racetrack shouts when he spots him on the other side of Newsies Square, waving him over. Albert jogs towards them, his expression twisting up with the same kinda worry that’s churning in Race’s gut when he gets a good look at Davey. “Me an’ Davey are takin’ a day. Can you mark us down in the ledger or whatever, when you get a chance?”

Davey sighs. “This isn’t really what the sick day funds are meant for,” he mutters under his breath.

“What’s the point of ‘em, then, if not ta use ‘em when ya need ‘em?” Race counters, squaring his shoulders.

“You should take a day, Davey,” Albert offers, eyes sweeping critically over Davey’s form. “It ain’t like ya don’t deserve one an’, frankly, you look like shit.”

“Gee, thanks,” Davey says, scrubbing his hands over his face. “You sure know how to lift a guy’s spirits, Albert.”

“You know what I mean,” Albert says. “Why don’t ya stop tryin’ so hard ta be okay an’ power through and jus’ take it easy for once? It’s one day, Davey, it ain’t the end of the world. ‘S not like anyone would hold it against ya.”

“You heard the man,” Race chimes in, clapping Davey on the back. “You’re out voted—we’re takin’ a day.”

Davey heaves another sigh. “Fine.”

…

The Brooklyn Bridge is full of people at this time of day, everyone in a hurry to get to where they’re going. There’s something peaceful about the chaos, though, something soothing about just standing there, watching, as the rest of the world rushes past you.

Or at least, that’s what Racetrack hopes anyway, watching Davey out of the corner of his eye. God knows he could use a bit of soothing.

They stand there for a good long while, neither of them talking—not needing to talk—the mist blowing up from the water tickling at their faces. Eventually, however, Davey turns away, staring out over the East River with that far away look of his, his face drawn and pale.

Quietly, so quietly that Race can barely hear him over the wind, he says, “He’s in love with her, Racetrack.”

“Bullshit,” Race denies immediately, shaking his head. “You can’t possibly believe that.”

“You saw them, didn’t you?” Davey asks, picking at his fingernails. “The flowers he bought for her?”

“You mean the ones you helped him find?” Racetrack scowls. “Yeah, I saw ‘em. Just about knocked his teeth in when he told me he dragged you along to pick ‘em out. But, Davey, they’s jus’ flowers, they don’t mean nothin’—“

“He told me himself, Race,” Davey murmurs tonelessly. “He’s in love with her.”

“Then I guess he’s lost his damn mind,” Race says. “‘Cause he ain’t in love with her, he’s in love with you.” Davey scoffs, ducking his head. “He is, Davey. You… you don’t see the way he looks at ya, the way he talks about ya when you’re not around. I’m tellin’ ya, he’s in love with you.”

“He’s not,” Davey says, simple as that, and the fact that he’s so resigned about it only makes Race want to scream that much more.

“Well, you’re in love with him,” Race counters, because that one’s impossible to argue with.

“So?” Davey asks. “What does that matter?”

“Wha—?” Racetrack splutters. “Of course it fuckin’ matters! You’re in love with him!”

“And he’s happy with her,” Davey says. “Aren’t we supposed to be happy for him?”

“I’ll be happy for him when he stops actin’ like such an idiot,” Racetrack declares. “When he stops fuckin’ everythin’ up, when he stops makin’ you cry—“

“Race,” Davey says softly. “Jack hasn’t done anything wrong.”

And that takes the wind right out of his sails. He swallows hard. “Dave…”

“He hasn’t,” Davey insists. “He doesn’t owe anyone an explanation, okay? Not you, not me, none of us. Just because I’m…” He crosses his arms over his chest, his mouth pressed into a thin line. “Well, that’s on me. That’s my problem. It’s not Jack’s fault that he doesn’t feel the same way.”

“But he does, Davey,” Racetrack says because he just can’t let that part go, even as guilt and hopelessness duke it out in his gut. “It’s… he does.”

Davey smiles at him then, and it’s just about the saddest thing he’s ever seen: paper thin and more brittle than glass.

“You’re a wonderful friend, Tony,” he says. “But it’s not up to you to fix this. There’s nothing to fix. It just… is.”

Racetrack can’t meet his eyes. They stare out at the water for a few more minutes, standing shoulder to shoulder.

“For what it’s worth, Dave,” Race eventually says. “I’m real sorry ‘bout all’a this.”

Davey lets out a long breath. “It would’ve happened eventually—if not now, with Maggie, then at some point down the line. I guess it’s better to go ahead and get it over with.”

He looks at Racetrack then, and carefully continues with, “And speaking of Maggie, you need to apologize to her.”

“…I know,” Racetrack admits, shamefaced. “I know it ain’t her fault, I do, but I jus’ look at her an’ all I can think about is how much she’s hurtin’ you.”

“It’d be easier if she was awful,” Davey muses. “If she was a terrible person and I could justify hating her, but she isn’t. She’s honestly really nice—I get what Jack sees in her. And you know, if you gave her a chance, you might end up liking her too. Maybe you’d even be friends.”

“You’re my friend,” Race bites out, and that’s a truth that lives deep in the heart of him, etched right into his bones. “I’m not gonna— You’re my friend, Dave. You.”

The sudden declaration leaves Davey speechless for a moment. “Alright,” he says hoarsely. “I… alright. But, you should still apologize.”

“I will,” Race swears. “We ain’t gonna be no bosom buddies but I’ll make things right with her. I owe her that much, at least.”

“Good,” Davey sighs. “And, lay off of Jack a little, yeah? He still doesn’t know about… everything… and he’s trying his best, okay?”

“I ain’t makin’ no promises,” Race grumbles. “I still think he’s actin’ like a fuckin’ moron—he deserves all’a this an’ more.”

“Just try, please?” Davey pleads. “If not for Jack, then for me?”

“Fine,” Race mutters. “I’ll try.”

“Thank you,” Davey says. “I… seriously, Tones. Thank you. For everything.”

Race curls an arm around Davey’s shoulders and squeezes. “Don’t even mention it.”

00000

Chapter seven here

Tag list!

@yahfancyclamwiththepurlinside

@dr-charlie-eppes

@stroopwafeldetective

@amillionandonefandoms

@dreams-and-bones

@mainstreamelectricalparade

@wineandhargreeves

@thenoteworthyhelen

@rag-tag-ragamuffin

@ill-purple-your-nurple

[bigmack2go]

Ok i just wanna say

When i said “i love cats but WHAT” there were like,,, 3 votes on newsies and a LOT more on cats.

That wasn’t meant as “cats is a lot less good than newsies” i was just genuinely surprised that newsies was loosing by soooo much. By that point i didn’t see that the vote was just starting out.

I’m authistic so sometimes i don’t realise when things i say come off as rude or mean. But that isn’t an excuse.

I’m really sorry for making people bad for liking cats.

That being said tho i’m pretty sure that all of those were more sarcastic than anything. No one was seriously hating on cats (if they were then fuck them) but also what ivy said⬆️⬆️

[oscar-delancey]

I was wondering what your take on the Delancey's backstory was!

You just unlocked a whole can of worms my guy (I'm also gonna do more than the backstory I wanna share all my takes sorry anon 💔)

To preface, I strictly follow the canon for the movie and the broadway performance. I do not include cut scripts or the jr musical. I choose not to use them for source and therefore will not acknowledge them here

Backstory

Alright so the Delancey brothers were teenagers/not official adults during the time of the strike. Like around Jack's age you could say (Oscar was 17 and Morris was 19) (Note that at the time of the strike/1899, being under 21 was considered being a minor/kid. This did not change until 1971 when the 26th amendment was passed and declared the voting age and therefore the age of being an adult as 18 years old. We see further proof of this being true to the world of Newsies in the movie when Jack is to be sent to the Refuge (a child prison I must specify) until he is 21)

The brothers were canonically abandoned at a young age according the Anthony Norman, and I like the idea of that applying to the movie as well. In my interpretation, their parents abandoned them when they were VERY young (4 and 6 years old respectively) and they were forced to grow up in the Refuge

Growing up in the Refuge is a huge reason for why the brothers act the way they do. It began the process of them learning harmful behaviors and habits which would follow them into their teenage years and possibly even adulthood. Some of these things include theft and physically attacking other children

^^ I would like you to note I specified children. More likely than not there were a lot of girls who lived in the Refuge as well. They would not be treated any different from boys, as it is same to assume the idea of chivalry and not harming girls didn't get taught to those boys. This means it would be free reign to treat everyone the same and there were definitely boy on girl and girl on boy violence in the Refuge.

^^ With this, I would also like to point out that this means they were never taught chivalry when they were little. They grew up believing you treat everyone the same/everyone gets the same treatment and therefore wouldn't and don't hold back on girls

More under the cut.

Also for some quick clarification, I prefer 92sies Weisel FAR more than livesies. He seems like a genuinely sweet guy, he just happens to have been stuck in a spot of greed and getting a large power trip due to working for Pulitzer and his authority over the newsies. As my friend put it, "92sies Weisel would get you an ice cream and tell you to go away, but broadway Weisel would probably call you a slur." This man could've possibly been a pretty good parental figure to the brothers and maybe even nicer to the newsies, but sadly he ended up in a position that brought out the worst in him

^^ On that note, I do not believe he was the best person in the world. I feel like he played a part in enabling the behaviors of the brothers and it can be seen in the movie for sure. He uses them as a way to poke at the newsies from crying out loud. He also definitely has a say in what the brothers can and cannot do, as he is their legal guardian and was the one to get them out of the Refuge. (I believe he was the one who found them and requested to have them under his custody. He recognized them and their names due to them actually being the children of his sister who he doesn't have much contact with anymore simply because of their physical distance. (The Delanceys did not live in the big city prior to being sent to the Refuge))

Backstory (Personal Headcanons)

Their mother was ethnically Jewish and their father was protestant. Weisel is their uncle on their mother's side, hence why he is also ethnically Jewish

They did not grow up practicing any religion and do not practice any once they are older

The cross necklace that Oscar has is not because he is practicing Catholicism/Christianity, it is because it is what their father gave him before they were left at the Refuge. While he can't remember their parents very well, he wears it every day to stay connected to the small memories of the farm he still has

Morris remembers their parents quite well but never tells Oscar. He constantly lies about remembering due to the fact he doesn't want to ruin the ignorant bliss his younger brother has by telling him the... not so nice things he remembers from their childhood

Morris was also the one who did a lot of protecting at first in the Refuge. He spent a lot of time making sure his brother didn't get picked on and would fight the older kids who would try and harass them or steal their food. Soon enough this gave Oscar the confidence to back up his brother and he became a sort of hype man for Morris. He was (in the Refuge and working for the World) quite literally the guy who would be like "YEAH. GET HIM. WHATCHA GONNA DO ABOUT IT" while behind Morris as Morris stands off against someone

Their Relationship With the Newsies

While in livesies the brothers act more like hired guns, the movie's portrayal of their relationship with the newsies is very different. Carrying the Banner shows a lot more of their interaction with Jack and other newsies, and it feels a lot lighter than what we see in the broadway musical. I'm not saying that it is a good or friendly relationship, but it feels a lot less like the brothers were hired to hurt the newsies and more like they just harass each other. Honestly it's less "we were hired to hurt you and we enjoy it" like we see in livesies and more "we don't like each other so we ("Only Oscar" as Morris would probably say) enjoy tormenting you guys, and you guys enjoy tormenting us." THEY LITERALLY HAVE A TRUCE DURING CIRCULATION

The interaction during and just after Carrying the Banner genuinely feels more playful than bloodthirsty. Yes the brothers are mad at Jack for stealing Morris's hat, but they make no GENUINE attempt to hurt him (chasing =/= intent to hurt). Oscar and Morris are far more bark than bite and have problems and issues due to not being raised properly

^^ Also, arguably, Oscar is all bark and Morris is all bite. Oscar CONSTANTLY verbally messes with the newsies meanwhile we only see Morris do more than shove (outside of the alleyway scene, which I will touch on more later...kind of?)

Anyways you know that scene towards the end of CTB where they're in a giant circle with Jack and Oscar and Morris fighting in the middle? None of that screams a serious fight to me. Like, at all. It feels a lot lighter than even the boxing match Jack and Davey end up going to. I am sorry you just CANNOT tell me it was serious! Jack literally grabs Oscar who, mind you, doesn't struggle to try and get away when he very easily can, and uses him as a shield from Morris. This is the only time we see either brother actually try to harm Jack and its while Oscar is restrained in the way. Jack also taunts them the entire fight which we DON'T see in the ACTUAL SERIOUS FIGHT towards the end of the movie

After CTB ends, there's a truce. If the brothers wanted to hurt anyone else, they could have and WOULD have right there in that crowd. They had every opportunity to and deadass if Oscar wanted to cause harm, he probably would've shoved Les then, considering you can see him look down at Les when he shoves past the brothers. But he doesn't, he just stands there and watches

^^ They do threaten Jack as they all walk up the ramp, ("We'll play again tomorrow, cowboy" - Morris; "You're as good as dead, cowboy" - Oscar), though it's generally calm after that. Like we do not see them doing anything to the newsies for the rest of the day

The next time they make a significant appearance is when Kid Blink announces the change of prince of the papers. In the background in the window we see Oscar just mocking him. That's it that's... that's it. He's just messing around and having a fun time making fun of Blink. But after he's done, he STAYS in the window, genuinely curious. He listens to what the boys have to say about the paper and the idea of a strike (He literally moves back and forth from the window to the desk and back to the window to listen to all the gossip from Jack and the others). He doesn't yell at them or instigate anything he just listens until Weisel tells the newsies to screw off. Even then he just makes a face and wiggles his fingers in some taunting way and that's that

Now, what's harder to talk about is the alleyway scene towards the end of the movie. It is a scene many people often skip due to just how horrible it is and it is in NO WAY presented with the same light energy as CTB. It was a disgusting scene that I specifically do not want to get into. I will talk about events leading up to it and my perception of them/take on them, but I am not comfortable actually talking about it. Do note this is not me erasing what happened or ignoring it in any way, I am just uncomfortable.

Weisel is hosting Jack in the basement of the circulation building, this is known. While he don't know for sure how attached Weisel is to the building in canon (does he also live there? Is he just there a lot of the time? Who knows), I personally feel like Weisel and the brothers live on the main floor, just further inside. But that's just me. Anyways, we know he spends a lot of time in the front room behind the sort of desk area due to all of the papers and general stuff around him that we see when he's calling the cops. He is also seemingly entrusted with Jack's care and he appears to be responsible for making sure Jack stays a scab. He is very likely being paid to do it by Pulitzer and/or Snyder

But, when it comes to Oscar threatening Davey, I can think of a two reasons for why it was said/why they were going to do it. Those reasons are as follows:

1. They took down one leader of the strike so they needed to get the other. They enlisted the Delancey brothers to do it since they work closely with the newsies and would be able to actually recognize Davey and would know common areas for the selling of papers. Oscar just happens to have little to no filter and spills this to Jack in order to taunt him. This would make sense with the frustration we see out of Morris and how he hits/shoves Oscar and tells him to "shut up" while pushing him back, all while Oscar is still smiling 2. They needed to test Jack to make sure he would stay a scab, but they really wanted to push his buttons. This idea can be explained by the way Weisel says "Lift one finger and it's right back to the Refuge." It's like they're doing this on purpose to test the resolve of Jack and to see just how far he is willing to go and how much he is willing to risk for his friends

Finishing Thoughts

They are still young and haven't been given an opportunity to grow

They work for old men of multiple social classes who have a lot of power and greed

They are still legally minors under the care and custody of a male parental figure. As per how older households worked, Weisel had the right to decide what the brothers could and could not do (and probably threatened to send them back to the Refuge multiple times on days he was angry/sick of their shit)

The newsies didn't really give them an opportunity to do better and make up for their actions. They continually antagonized/poked at the brothers and enabled their behavior

TL:DR the brothers did fucked up things but they also didn't have the ability not to