Script

SIDE 1

JACK

Miss Medda, I got a little situation out on the street. Mind if I hide out here a while?

MEDDA

Is Snyder the Spider after you again? Make yourself at home.

LES

Hey Jack, did you really escape jail on the back of Teddy Roosevelt's carriage?

CRUTCHIE

He sure did!

DAVEY

What would the Governor be doing at a juvenile jail?

JACK

So happens he was runnin' for office and wanted to show he cared about orphans and such. So while he got his mug in the paper, I got my butt in the back seat and off we rode together.

LES

You really know Governor Roosevelt?

MEDDA

He don't, but I do. Teddy's a regular patron of the arts, been a big fan of mine for years. By the way, Jack, can you paint me some more of these backdrops? Things have been going so well that I can actually pay you soon.

JACK

I couldn't take your money, Miss Medda.

LES

You pictured that?

DAVEY

It's really good!

MEDDA

Your friend is quite an artist.

JACK

Don't get carried away. It's a bunch of trees.

MEDDA

The boy's got natural aptitude.

LES

Geez. I never knew no one with a aptitude!

PAT

Miss Medda, you're on!

MEDDA

Kids, stay as long as you like. You're with Medda now!

PAT

Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the magnificent Medda Larkin and her Bowery Brigade!

MEDDA

Well, hi-dee-ho, everybody! Welcome to my theater. Yessiree, it's a brand new century with a brand new set of rules for women, and the Brigade and I are gonna tell you all about them. Maestro, if you please!

END

SIDE 2

KATHERINE

Good morning, everyone.

NEWSIES

(glumly)

Hi. / What's so good about it? / Good morning.

KATHERINE

Would you get a load of these glum mugs? Can these really be the same heroes who made front page of the New York Sun?

ROMEO

Front page of what?

(The NEWSIES rush towards KATHERINE and snatch the paper.)

HAZEL

"Newsies Stop The World" - now, there's a headline even Albert could sell!

RACE

Would you lookit? Dat's me!

ROMEO

Wait till my old man gets a load of dis. I won't be last in line for the tub tonight.

DAVEY

(to KATHERINE)

You got us in the pape?

KATHERINE

You got yourselves in the pape. Where's Jack? Did they take him to The Refuge?

HAZEL

He got away.

RACE

Can we please just drink in this moment? I'm famous!

PIGTAILS

How much does bein' famous pay?

RACE

Ya don't need money when you're famous. They gives ya whatever ya want gratis!

END