We did the show, but only had four fans (in the girls' rooms).  We built them (used foamcore for the blades to keep them light) and put little battery operated motors inside.  I guess you could do that, but it's going to be expensive - perhaps you could go to a local hardware store for some prices and see if that convinces your director.  sometimes money speaks louder than anything!

The audience never saw the inside of the girl's rooms in our version therefore eliminating the need for the fans actually being seen.  It was kind of like the fornicating.  They sang about it but the audience didn't actually have to see it to understand what was going on. (Wink Wink)

We never did use the fans last year, if there's no ceiling, there's no ceiling fans ;->  The show carries itself too well, there's no need for clutter imo.

OK.  An explanation is owed to those not in on the joke.  During a play selection meeting last year the subject of questionable content in shows was discussed.  One of our members thought Whorehouse would be innappropriate.  Not because of the prostitution angle, but because of the mention of beavers in the first song.  All of us familiar with the show began scratching our heads in puzzlement.  She explained about the line in "20 Fans" where the fans were needed because "beavers were a burnin, they were burnin, beavers were a burnin all night long".   She was rather embarrassed when it was pointed out the actual lyrics are about "fevers" not "beavers".  Needless to say she has not lived this down.