'Newsies' Actor Spent Decades Using Denver As His Base

DENVER (CBS4) - For one character on stage in "Newsies" it's something of a happy homecoming. Michael Gorman spent years using Denver as his base until Broadway called him back.

Gorman has a lot of Broadway credits to his name including the new production of "Newsies" on stage at the Buell Theatre. But he also spent about 20 years using Denver as his base -- performing, directing and thrilling Colorado audiences.

"We're called the Oldsies. I basically come on and move the plot. I play the weasel, Wiesel, who's their boss, the Newsies' boss, the distributor of the newspapers every day," Gorman said. "I play an old Jewish guy, Jacoby; and then I play the mayor."

Although he's happy to be back in Denver, New York, Broadway and the national touring road continue to call him.

"You have to put yourself out there. We had a big conversation about this last night … it was a decision that I made a few years ago. I had finished working on a number of chorus lines around the country, around the world -- Singapore, Israel; and I thought, 'You know what? I think I'd like to try this again.'"

Especially a show like "Newsies" where he might play one of the Oldsies, but still makes "Newsies" a crowd pleasing hit.

"You can't believe the energy on stage in this show. 'Newsies' is a lot of fun," Critic at Large Greg Moody said.

"Newsies," the high energy Broadway hit from Disney, closes this weekend. For tickets visit denvercenter.org.