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 Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board :Producing Theater :Play Suggestions |
 Topic: First show?( Topic Closed) |
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ahadon
Walk-On 
Joined: 5/10/07 Online Status: Offline Posts: 0 |
 Topic: First show?Posted: 5/10/07 at 12:36am |
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Hello all, New to the board, and SOOO glad that I found it!
I am currently undertaking the task of starting a Non Profit Community Theater and am having some issues with what show to start up with. Should it be something that everyone knows and will want to see or should I pull in some local talent and do a local playwrights work?
I am really torn between the two for the reason that people here aren't into new. But we have a strong need for a theatrical group here.
My first thought was doing 'Our Town' Just because everyone knows it and its tried and true. This is also my first attempt at directing and casting a show. The Acting bug has had me for so long that I decided that I wanted to try my hand at it.
Any suggestions and ideas are welcome! Thanks in advance!
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doublezero420
Star 
Joined: 4/13/07 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 50 |
Posted: 5/10/07 at 7:46am |
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Just my opinion, but when I hear 'Our Town' my first thought is "ugh, not *that* show" (second thought is "I'll do the set"
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For a first show I would suggest doing a well-known comedy with a smaller cast (unless you know you're going to have a good turn-out at auditions). Probably something by Niel Simon. Odd couple would be a good choice, as you have the option of a mostly male cast or mostly female.
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B-M-D
Celebrity 
Joined: 11/03/05 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 346 |
Posted: 5/10/07 at 8:38am |
I'd have to agree with you on this one doublezero. Simon's an almost guaranteed money maker no matter which of his shows you choose. (and you will need money to do any future productions and to recoup and pay for the production costs of doing your ct's first show). Just remember that Odd Couple has two distinct male and female version scripts, not just plugging women into the original male version.
Good luck!
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BD
"Dying is easy, comedy is hard." |
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biggertigger
Celebrity
Joined: 4/16/07 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 188 |
Posted: 5/10/07 at 3:37pm |
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So true, Doc is a guaranteed money maker. This would be a great way to bring money in and start up your new group. Just don't make the mistake that many groups do and end up doing rotating the same shows over and over again.
You'll need to begin creating a library of plays. For every 5 - 10 plays you read, you'll find maybe one play that fits your criteria. Read as many plays as you can and there are forms here that can help you for future reference.
Good luck on your start up.
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The two greatest days in a theater persons life, the day you start a new show and the day the damn thing closes.
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ahadon
Walk-On
Joined: 5/10/07 Online Status: Offline Posts: 0 |
Posted: 5/10/07 at 11:41pm |
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Thanks so much for your input! I will take 'The Odd Couple" as a consideration. The only thing is now that I have looked at the venue, its really small and the stage isn't but about 15 ft across and 10 ft deep... but i can move into the house space if I have to.
Thanks again!
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falstaff29
Celebrity
Joined: 9/17/04 Online Status: Offline Posts: 155 |
Posted: 5/14/07 at 5:51pm |
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While Neil Simon (much to our occasional apoplexia as "artists") is a good moneymaker, I'd take the time to dig a little deeper in his catalogue; he wrote some real gems that don't get done much.
In regards to the question you posed initially: should a new company do the tried-and-true or new-and-unknown, why not take a middle ground? Give the people something that they THINK they're familiar with to bring them to the theater, but shake it up a bit. Maybe a less-famous work by a famous playwright, or do a classic with an edgy director who'll turn it on its head.
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dougb
Celebrity
Joined: 3/30/04 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 148 |
Posted: 5/15/07 at 10:09am |
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While we're on Neil Simon: Much of his work has not aged well. They just don't play today - even as period pieces.
I love his Chapter Two and the female version of the Odd Couple. I've seen the male version of Odd Couple several times and it just isn't funny today. If you have lots of women, look at Jake's Women. It plays quite well. If you have two good teenage boys, Brighton Beach Memoirs is good. Older audiences love The Sunshine Boys. |
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neilfortin
Celebrity
Joined: 11/20/06 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 210 |
Posted: 5/15/07 at 3:45pm |
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Lost in Yonkers is always a great choice too, perfect for men/women and children (albeit two boys). There is that stigma with Simon plays where they might not appeal to a modern audience, but i feel Lost in Yonkers is a very safe choice, some great comedic parts, and some tender loving ones as well. |
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Community Theater makes us smile
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POB14
Celebrity
Joined: 7/01/05 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 349 |
Posted: 5/16/07 at 9:08am |
Different strokes, I guess.
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POB
Old Bugger, Curmudgeon, and Antisocial B**tard |
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avcastner
Star
Joined: 12/21/06 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 85 |
Posted: 5/23/07 at 11:44pm |
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The Mousetrap by Agatha Christie is awesome if well-done! (available from Samuel French)
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