We just did Nunsense II and it played great with a small band. I couldn't imagine an orchestra. I suggest telling the "council" that you would be happy to accomodate them if "they can find the orchestration for you. If not, well, in a small community I am sure directors don't live around every corner, perhaps they will conform for you.

Thanks to both for your responses.  Unfortunately, the council already decided not to do Nunsense.  They just didn't think the musicians would come back next year if we didn't use them this year.  These are very closed minded folks will little vision.  They say they want to promote the arts but only if it was written by Rogers and Hammerstein (not that there's anything wrong with R&H, but come on). 

Your "council" has allowed themselves to be victims of themselves.   Did they even talk to the musicians before deciding this?   The smart thing for them to do would have been to talk with them.   They then should have infomed them of what they intended to do, that it had nothing to do with them and that they want them for future productions that NEED a full up orchestra.   Is the relationship that tenuious to not survive doing show that doesn't require that many musicians? 

the entire POINT of "Nunsense" is that it's being performed on a shoe-string with the pit band from a catholic school band left over playing for "Grease."

a full orchestration would COMPLETELY go against what the play is ABOUT

I'm brand new to this board, but not to theater. I've been actively involved in it since 1974.

That being said, all of the NUNSENSE musicals were written for a small orchestra. To do differently would go against your contract. I suggest you contact the author(via his website) and get his feedback. He's highly approachable and might be able to offer you a sound argument to counter your council's 'suggestion'

Charlie