Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board: Challenging play suggestions

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lmar12
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Joined: 8/22/07
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Topic: Challenging play suggestions
Posted: 4/16/08 at 6:58pm

Hi Everyone

I am looking for a good drama or a murder mystery for a high school production. I have plenty of boys to choose from and also (of course) plenty of girls. They are extremely talented for their age and I would like to really challenge them. They did Shakespeare two years ago (Richard the Third) so I would not want to go that route again. If the play is interesting enough, I have a designer for a complicated set--so I am really open to just about anything.

Thanks a lot!

BUT--we have an extremely conservative community--so really controversial subjects are definitely o-u-t!

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ty.gab
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Posted: 4/16/08 at 9:21pm

Since you have boys...

Death of A Salesman

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Jim_L
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Posted: 4/17/08 at 8:30am

Can they sing?

http://home.comcast.net/~castle.walls/tavern/

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spikesgirl
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Posted: 4/17/08 at 11:01am

I hate to suggest an old chestnut, but what about "Mousetrap"? There's also "Blythe Spirit" We also just finished "Wait Until Dark" which was pretty intense, but also pretty conservative.

Charlie

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bernster74
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Joined: 10/20/05
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Posted: 4/17/08 at 11:32am

I agree with the Wait until Dark suggestion - that show is a challenge from set to actors to props. And it's a delight for the audience when well done.

Another suggestion that comes to mind is Tea & Sympathy which takes place in a boy's school. Very interesting script.

If you do have the talent and want to do soemthing really artistic with the set, look at To Kill a Mockingbird.

And finally, another challenging piece would be One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. Not as complicated on the set, but the time you'll save there you'll use on the actors for sure.

Hope this helps - cheers.

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tristanrobin
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Posted: 4/17/08 at 6:21pm

"Who's Happy Now?" - my all-time favorite play

ANY Tennessee Williams play

"Ordinary People" - good stage version of the screenplay

"Witness for the Prosecution" - wonderful play that gives character actors the leads for a change

"A Few Good Men" - great if you have a lot of guys - good mystery, too (film was based on this play)

"Anatomy of a Murder" - another good mystery with lots of roles for guys (film was based on this play)

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notmyshoes
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Joined: 4/18/08
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Posted: 4/18/08 at 4:22pm

My number one suggestion: "Bang Bang You're Dead" by William Mastrisomone. It is an amazing play for high school students. There are 3 leading males, 3 leading females, and an ensemble of five. I played Emily in a high school production and we brought numerous audience members to tears at every performance. I believe the script is available online at: bangbangyouredead.com

I also agree with One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest and Ordinary People... I would also suggest: Twelve Angry Jurors, The Importance of Being Earnest, and Moliere's The Imaginary Invalid. If you want a musical, I reccomend "Working by" Studs Terkel or maybe Sondheim's "Company" or "Sunday in the Park with George."

The Monologue Database - by These Aren't My Shoes Productions

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SherrieAnne
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Joined: 8/08/06
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Posted: 4/18/08 at 8:51pm

Arthur Miller's ALL MY SONS or THE CRUCIBLE.

There's a little bit of diva in all of us. Some just have a larger helping than others.

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Ken W
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Joined: 3/22/06
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Posted: 4/18/08 at 11:17pm

when I was in high school, we did "J.B." by Archibold McLeish. Really out there and very challenging

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lmar12
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Joined: 8/22/07
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Posts: 25

Posted: 4/21/08 at 10:20am

Hi--

Just an update to clarify---We also do a musical each year and we will probably do Children of Eden. We did a small non-musical this year, (Rumors) so we want to go with a larger one next year. Oh, and to further clarify--The person who suggested Company--I agree, a great show but we would be in SERIOUS trouble if we ever tried to do that show! (I could see the Letters to the Editor now! We did George Washington Slept Here a few years ago and we had a letter published in the local paper from an irate citizen complaining about the language!

) When I say Conservative, I really mean Conservative!

Thanks alot--I am already looking into many of your suggestions.

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Play Suggestions
Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board :Producing Theater :Play Suggestions

Topic: Challenging play suggestions( Topic Closed)
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Author	Message
lmar12 Player Joined: 8/22/07 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 25	Topic: Challenging play suggestions Posted: 4/16/08 at 6:58pm
	Hi Everyone I am looking for a good drama or a murder mystery for a high school production. I have plenty of boys to choose from and also (of course) plenty of girls. They are extremely talented for their age and I would like to really challenge them. They did Shakespeare two years ago (Richard the Third) so I would not want to go that route again. If the play is interesting enough, I have a designer for a complicated set--so I am really open to just about anything. Thanks a lot! BUT--we have an extremely conservative community--so really controversial subjects are definitely o-u-t!

	IP Logged

ty.gab Walk-On Joined: 7/18/07 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 0	Posted: 4/16/08 at 9:21pm
	Since you have boys... Death of A Salesman
	IP Logged

Jim_L Lead Joined: 6/09/06 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 34	Posted: 4/17/08 at 8:30am
	Can they sing? http://home.comcast.net/~castle.walls/tavern/
	http://home.comcast.net/~castle.walls/tavern/
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spikesgirl Celebrity Joined: 3/30/08 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 129	Posted: 4/17/08 at 11:01am
	I hate to suggest an old chestnut, but what about "Mousetrap"? There's also "Blythe Spirit" We also just finished "Wait Until Dark" which was pretty intense, but also pretty conservative. Charlie
	IP Logged

bernster74 Star Joined: 10/20/05 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 51	Posted: 4/17/08 at 11:32am
	I agree with the Wait until Dark suggestion - that show is a challenge from set to actors to props. And it's a delight for the audience when well done. Another suggestion that comes to mind is Tea & Sympathy which takes place in a boy's school. Very interesting script. If you do have the talent and want to do soemthing really artistic with the set, look at To Kill a Mockingbird. And finally, another challenging piece would be One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. Not as complicated on the set, but the time you'll save there you'll use on the actors for sure. Hope this helps - cheers.
	IP Logged

tristanrobin Celebrity Joined: 4/25/05 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 704	Posted: 4/17/08 at 6:21pm
	"Who's Happy Now?" - my all-time favorite play ANY Tennessee Williams play "Ordinary People" - good stage version of the screenplay "Witness for the Prosecution" - wonderful play that gives character actors the leads for a change "A Few Good Men" - great if you have a lot of guys - good mystery, too (film was based on this play) "Anatomy of a Murder" - another good mystery with lots of roles for guys (film was based on this play)
	IP Logged

notmyshoes Player Joined: 4/18/08 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 0	Posted: 4/18/08 at 4:22pm
	My number one suggestion: "Bang Bang You're Dead" by William Mastrisomone. It is an amazing play for high school students. There are 3 leading males, 3 leading females, and an ensemble of five. I played Emily in a high school production and we brought numerous audience members to tears at every performance. I believe the script is available online at: bangbangyouredead.com I also agree with One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest and Ordinary People... I would also suggest: Twelve Angry Jurors, The Importance of Being Earnest, and Moliere's The Imaginary Invalid. If you want a musical, I reccomend "Working by" Studs Terkel or maybe Sondheim's "Company" or "Sunday in the Park with George."
	The Monologue Database - by These Aren't My Shoes Productions
	IP Logged

SherrieAnne Star Joined: 8/08/06 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 72	Posted: 4/18/08 at 8:51pm
	Arthur Miller's ALL MY SONS or THE CRUCIBLE.
	There's a little bit of diva in all of us. Some just have a larger helping than others.
	IP Logged

Ken W Walk-On Joined: 3/22/06 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 0	Posted: 4/18/08 at 11:17pm
	when I was in high school, we did "J.B." by Archibold McLeish. Really out there and very challenging
	IP Logged

lmar12 Player Joined: 8/22/07 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 25	Posted: 4/21/08 at 10:20am
	Hi-- Just an update to clarify---We also do a musical each year and we will probably do Children of Eden. We did a small non-musical this year, (Rumors) so we want to go with a larger one next year. Oh, and to further clarify--The person who suggested Company--I agree, a great show but we would be in SERIOUS trouble if we ever tried to do that show! (I could see the Letters to the Editor now! We did George Washington Slept Here a few years ago and we had a letter published in the local paper from an irate citizen complaining about the language!) When I say Conservative, I really mean *Conservative!* Thanks alot--I am already looking into many of your suggestions.
	IP Logged