Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board: Urinetown

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   I'm trying to convince my (High School) director to do Urinetown next year.  However she refuses, insisting it is too small of a cast size.  Has anyone done it or seen it done with a large cast before?  If so, did it work?  What would yous say the maximum workable cast size is?

Author	Message
TheActingTechie Player Joined: 3/13/06 Online Status: Offline Posts: 29	Topic: Urinetown Posted: 3/02/09 at 7:14pm
	I'm trying to convince my (High School) director to do Urinetown next year. However she refuses, insisting it is too small of a cast size. Has anyone done it or seen it done with a large cast before? If so, did it work? What would yous say the maximum workable cast size is?

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greenphoenix Star Joined: 1/21/09 Online Status: Offline Posts: 52	Posted: 3/03/09 at 12:50am
	I must tell you that I saw this show on Broadway and HATED it. I understand, though, that it is strictly a matter of personal taste. I just thought the acting was horribly overdone and strange.
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MartyW Celebrity Joined: 2/02/04 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 555	Posted: 3/03/09 at 7:39am
	I'm ok with the show, and am in at this time (last weekend coming up) We have a cast of about 20. My problem is what your audinece appeal/approval will be in a high school setting. I direct for my high school and would not put it up here..
	Marty W "Till next we trod the boards.."
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KEB54 Celebrity Joined: 7/24/08 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 227	Posted: 3/03/09 at 9:04am
	I was in a production at the CT level. We probably had a cast of 15 or so. However, "the chorus" (major parts in this play) covered many roles, for instance both "street people" and "Cadwell Executives". If you wanted to separate them out and expand the numbers some, you could get a cast of 40. HOWEVER! As mentioned, this is not what I would consider HS material. My CT took a chance with it. I'd say were heard from 50% of the audience, "I thought the production was well done, but I HATED the play!" 50% is a big number. We got away with it but I don't know about HS. Your HS director may have other reasons she doesn't want to do the show other than cast size.
	KEB
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TheActingTechie Player Joined: 3/13/06 Online Status: Offline Posts: 29	Posted: 3/03/09 at 10:35am
	It's really not that offensive of a show. It was done a few years ago at a local professional house and was very, very well received.
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KEB54 Celebrity Joined: 7/24/08 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 227	Posted: 3/03/09 at 10:45am
	There are very different levels of "acceptable material" between Professional, CT, and HS. Expectations are very different. Parents and school boards have a different view of what their kids do compared to what professionals do on stage. A person that loved the professional production may be very much against their teenager performing it on the HS stage.
	KEB
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MartyW Celebrity Joined: 2/02/04 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 555	Posted: 3/03/09 at 11:23am
	We, at the CT level, are getting very mixed reviews... (we are in our third and final week) Most of our "theater types" love it and love the edge of the show.. As for patrons, there have been a number of folks who said they really enjoyed it, but a like number who said, that while the singing and dancing and staging were excellent, they didnt care for the show. A University theater instructor (who does a lot of CT) said. That was the stupidest show I've ever seen, but you did well with it. One husband and wife were split, she hated it, he loved it... And I agree with Keb, while not overtly offensive, it has its moments (at least persons who don't normally consider bowel/bladder movments as part of thier regular "polite" conversation... Where as for a High School (And yes, I know the MTI pages shows dozens of them doing it) H.S. shows always engender some form of controversy. Do Godspell and you crossed church and state, Do Wizard of OZ and you are promoting witchcraft.. or the perenial, you didnt give my kid the lead... So. why would you want to add more for something you KNOW someone is going to take offence to... Profesional, fine, folks choose whether they want to come see (and most know in advance) CT, well, depending on your regular audience base, you roll the dice and take your chances.. But High School? No way.. don't need the grief. IMHO
	Marty W "Till next we trod the boards.."
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pdavis69 Celebrity Joined: 3/26/06 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 437	Posted: 3/03/09 at 12:32pm
	IMHO There are lots of good shows out there, why go out of your way for the shock value. I am in the same show as Marty. He's Lockstock and I'm Cladwell. We have put on a great show and love the effort we have all put in but I still hate the show. It looks like it will pay for itself here, but it has not been the sell-out that the bandwagon people had predicted.
	Patrick L. Davis Fort Findlay Playhouse
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jaytee060 Star Joined: 1/18/07 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 63	Posted: 3/03/09 at 1:13pm
	Sitting here ...... laughing so hard I can hardly catch my breath. ................tsk, tsk, tsk. "OH GOD, WHAT HAVE I DONE ? REMEMBER MEEEEEE !!!!
	"REMEMBER ME IN LIGHT"
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MartyW Celebrity Joined: 2/02/04 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 555	Posted: 3/03/09 at 2:14pm
	You haven't "done" anything but put on a great performance.. the only thing in question is the base product, not the results... And definitly in question as to whether it is a right choice for a high school.. Especially one where the teacher involved already has qualms..
	Marty W "Till next we trod the boards.."
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