Who’s Who in Newsies? Meet Jack Kelly, Davey, Katherine, and More
Starlight’s Production of Disney’s Newsies opens at Starlight next week (September 8) which means rehearsal is in full swing! The cast and crew are working at the theatre to learn lines, songs, choreography, lighting, and all the other important parts of a stage musical.
Tickets to Newsies are available online, by phone at (816) 363-7827, or in person at the Ticket Office located at 4600 Starlight Road, Kansas City, Mo., 64132. Note: Performances will begin at 7:30 p.m.
The setting for Newsies is New York City in 1899. The story is the rousing 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. When publishing titans Joseph Pulitzer and William Randolph Hearst raise distributions prices at the newboys’ 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 Newsboys Strike of 1899, when newsies leaders Kid Blink and David Simons led a band of working kids on a two-week long strike against newspaper publishers Joseph Pulitzer and William Randolph Hearst.
Characters + Actors
Now, let’s meet some of the Newsies characters and the actors you’ll see on the stage. Character photos are by Matt Polk from the 2017 Pittsburgh CLO Production of Disney’s Newsies.
Character: Jack Kelly
Jack Kelly is the charismatic leader of the Manhattan newsies, is a dreamer and artist who yearns to get out of the crowded streets of New York and make a better life for himself out West. Fiercely protective of his best friend, Crutchie, and strongly loyal, Jack isn’t afraid to use his voice to attain better conditions for the working kids of New York City. Though living on the streets has given him a tough-guy exterior, Jack has a big heart and can demonstrate a sweet vulnerability – especially when it comes to bantering with a certain female reporter.
Played by Lucas Pastrana as he makes his Starlight debut! Lucas was cast as Elvis Presley in the US national premiere of Elvis: A Musical Revolution. Regionally, he has appeared in Pippin, Oklahoma!, and Urinetown.
Character: Katherine Plummer
Katherine Plummer is an ambitious young reporter, who works hard to make a name for herself as a legitimate journalist in a time when women aren’t taken seriously. Quick, funny, and resourceful, she boldly captures the voice of a new generation rising in her coverage of the newsies’ strike. While she generally has no time for cocky, streetwise young men, she makes an exception for Jack Kelly.
Played by Aubrey Matalon who is making their Starlight debut! Aubrey has appeared on Broadway as an alternate Jane Seymour in SIX the Musical and on TV in “Elsbeth” (CBS).
Character: Crutchie
Crutchie is a dedicated “newsie with a bum leg” that causes him pain, but helps him sell more papers. Though he walks with the assistance of a crutch, Crutchie doesn’t let it define him. When in a jam, Jack Kelly’s best friend relies on a goofy-sweet sense of humor and optimistic resilience. Crutchie is the heart of the resistance.
Played by Kansas City native Ryan Jacobs. Ryan grew up in KC and now resides in New York City. He just made his off-Broadway debut this year in The Opening. A songwriter and playwright, Ryan toured the country with the Bluecoats Drum and Bugle Corps playing mellophone and keytar.
Character: Medda Larkin
Medda Larkin is a big-voiced saloon singer and star of the Bowery who offers her theater as a safe haven for the newsies. An astute and funny entertainer, she’s a good friend to Jack and stands firmly behind the newsies in their fight for justice.
Played by Bryonha Marie who hails from Kansas City and has performed on Broadway in Prince of Broadway, After Midnight, Ragtime, and Book of Mormon. This is her Starlight debut, and we’re excited to welcome her home!
Character: Joseph Pulitzer
Joseph Pulitzer is a pompous businessman through and through who owns The World and is concerned solely with the bottom line.
Played by veteran actor and narrator Graham Rowat. Rowat is known for his numerous Broadway appearances including Dear Even Hansen, Sunset Boulevard, Mamma Mia!, Guys and Dolls, Dracula, and Beauty and the Beast. He’s a prolific voice actor who has narrated more than 150 audiobooks.
Character: Davey
Davey is Les’s strait-laced, bright big brother who starts selling newspapers to help his family earn a living but becomes swept up in the fervor of the strike. A leader in his own right who is learning to use his voice to uplift others, Davey is the brains of the resistance.
Played by Sam Yousuf making his Starlight debut. Originally from Georgia, recent roles include Claude in Hair at University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music and Seaweed in Hairspray at Theatre By the Sea in Rhode Island.
Character: Les
Les is Davey’s cheeky younger brother who is inspired by the freedom of the newsies and loves their independent lifestyle. A precocious and natural newsie, Les is an intuitive salesboy and a pint-sized charmer.
Played by two local performers, Carson Cornwell and Lucas Gutierrez-Sullenger, both making their Starlight debuts. Carson is in 6th grade and appeared as Jack Kelly in Newsies Jr. Lucas is a 7th grader and is an active participant in Stage Right Performing Arts and Miller Marley. The boys will alternate nights playing the role of Les.
Ensemble
The ensemble is filled with local talent including many who have made appearances on the Starlight stage.
Maddox Bane is playing Oscar Delancy. In 2015, Maddox was little Michael Banks in Mary Poppins at Starlight. Recently, he played Baby John in West Side Story at Starlight in 2024. Maddox was a Blue Star Award student and competed in the 2022 Jimmy Awards.
Courtney Germany has deep roots at Starlight as one of the inaugural recipients of the Vincent Legacy Scholarship in 2006. She performs and choreographs in Kansas City including Hairspray and Grease at Starlight.
Amari Lewis is a local actor who recently played Dorothy in the KC Rep’s production of The Wizard of Oz. Amari was a Starlight Vincent Legacy Scholarship recipient in 2014.
Ken Remmert is a familiar face to the Starlight stage having appeared in Legally Blonde in 2023, West Side Story in 2024, and School of Rock in 2025. We’re excited to have Ken back for another season.
Meet the full cast and get ready for a great show under the stars!