Extra! Extra! “Newsies Jr.” opens Friday at Youngstown Playhouse.

Playhouse Youth Theatre is staging the “Jr.” version of the musical, an abbreviated version Disney Theatricals created for schools and youth theaters, requiring all roles to be played by minors.

That doesn’t mean it’s a small show.

“I was just talking to our set builder, Johnny Pecano, who was saying this is one of the biggest youth productions they’ve done in a while,” director Savannah Teter said. “There are so many moving parts, things flying and flying out, newspapers absolutely everywhere. Also, it’s set in 1899, so we had to find all of these old props. There are definitely a lot of challenges, but I am super confident in my cast. They are killing right now.”

The musical is based on the 1992 Disney movie “Newsies,” which wasn’t a hit in theaters but found a larger audience on home video / DVD. It was adapted for the stage and ran for more than 1,000 performances on Broadway. It was nominated for eight Tony Awards in 2012 and won for best score and best choreography.

It’s based on the true story of a strike by the young newsboys in New York in 1899 who were protesting a cut in what they were paid to sell the newspapers on street corners.

“I really like the brotherhood behind it, the determination behind all of these kids trying to make a difference,” Teter said. “The fact that these kids had this idea to revolt against unfairness and prejudice and everything, and that they ended up succeeding is something that was unheard of in the late 1800s.”

For the “Jr.” version, the newsies are both male and female. Teter had more than 70 children audition, which made for some tough choices.

The cast features Cameron Keffer, Ashlyn Young, James Matig, Alec Toporcer, Milo Hart, Eliza Primous, Xavier Garcia, Izabella Krekus, Landon Eli, Raquel Allison, Finlay Andrei, Jakob Primous, Ashley Graczyk, Donovan Stringer, Alyssa Moliterno, Hannah DeRenzis, Halina Bakeris, Avery Chambers, Tripp Matthews, Alex Cook, Casey Herrholtz, Ava Kuntz, Liam McLaughlin, Trudi Herrholtz, Mia Mackey, Breckan Neuhaus, Leonardo Valente and Theo Hart.

While some of the musical numbers have been shortened and simplified, the show still requires some extensive dance sequences, particularly on “King of New York.”

“We did a workshop earlier this year with Wayne Bonner (III) and Joanna Andrei that specialized in tap,” Teter said. “There is a tap number in it, and we weren’t sure how many would be prepared for it … I think it turned out to be really helpful.”

In addition to Teter, the production team includes Caitlyn Santiago, stage manger; Adam Dominick, music director; Bonner, choreographer; Pecano, set production; Cordell Ramsey, lighting designer; Emelia Sherin, costume designer; and Finn O’Hara, student assistant.

If you go …

WHAT: Playhouse Youth Theatre — “Newsies Jr.”

WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday

WHERE: Youngstown Playhouse, 600 Playhouse Lane, Youngstown

HOW MUCH: Tickets range from $11 to $17 and are available online at youngstownplayhouse.org and by calling 330-788-8739.