Chanhassen Dinner Theatres brings its audiences the Minnesota Regional Premiere of Disney’s “Newsies,” presented by Star Tribune. Nominated for eight Tony Awards, including Best Musical, “Newsies” kicks off a year of exciting programming for its 50th anniversary season. “Newsies” took Broadway by storm when it opened in 2012. With astonishing choreography, unforgettable songs and compelling storytelling, Disney’s “Newsies” is a high-energy musical that will delight audiences of all ages. Disney’s “Newsies” was inspired by the real-life newsboys strike of 1899 in New York City. Yes, indeed, that was a real thing and newsies were the real deal. The musical’s main character, Jack Kelly, hawks the headlines day-in and day-out with countless other newsboys, otherwise known as “newsies.”

New York World publisher, Joseph Pulitzer, realizes he can maximize profits by raising the price of the “papes” and does so without a word to the newsies. Upon seeing Pulitzer’s greed, the newsboys protest and demand justice from the publishing giants. Realizing it will take more than his friends to make a difference, Jack rallies all the newsies in New York City.

Through courage, determination and friendship the “Newsies” seize the day and take a stand.

At the turn of the century (1899), newsies, known to be as young as 6 or 7, sold newspapers on the streets of every major city. The New York newsies, numbered at an estimated 10,000, were popularly admired as “little merchants,” for, unlike children working in factories, the newsies were seen as business people. Even though they were their own bosses, the newspaper owners controlled the prices and the newsies sometimes had to choose between food and a bed to sleep for the night.

In recent years, Chanhassen Dinner Theatres has brought its audiences a string of beloved Disney mega-hits including “The Little Mermaid,” “Mary Poppins,” “Beauty and the Beast” — and now “Newsies.” The popular musical was first an original Disney film in 1992. The unforgettable score was written by Academy Award-winning composer, Alan Menken (“The Little Mermaid,” “Sister Act,” “Beauty and the Beast,” “Aladdin”).

Chanhassen Dinner Theatres President and Artistic Director Michael Brindisi is enthusiastic about Disney’s “Newsies.”

“We get very excited to bring our audiences the newer productions,” Brindisi said. “As is the case with ‘Newsies,’ Chanhassen is the first theater to get the rights to produce it in the region.

“It’s a triumphant and highly appealing show with a powerful message that resonates with what is going on in our world, even today.”

Directed by Michael Brindisi and choreographed by Tamara Kangas Erickson, Disney’s “Newsies” is running on Chanhassen Dinner Theatres main stage through September. For tickets and information on Disney’s “Newsies,” go to ChanhassenDT.com or call 952-934-1525.