We're just in the process of forming a new community theater.  The only one in our county in rural WV is a high school company that allows adult actors in the summer.  We want ours to be a cut above, and expect it to be as some of us have acted professionally.  We know we have our work cut out for us.  We're discussing what shows to do the first season.  We need ones that are suitable for small casts, are known shows that will draw an audience, minimal set and costumes, are not offensive as we live in a fairly conservative community, can be directed first time directors, and have fairly low royalties.  Any suggestions?

How about The Nerd.  So funny, smaller cast.  Alice

We did this show a season ago, and we thought the title and the popularity of the author would sell tickets, but it really wasn't the case.  We had a great time doing the show, and we did draw a respectable size audience, but not the full houses that we expected.  The audience we attracted liked the show, however.

I once read that the perfect first play for a new theatre is Neil Simon's [Fill-in-the-blank] Suite.  (The book was written many, many suites ago, and I don't remember which one specifically it mentioned, but for purposes of this thread, they're all the same.)

You get:

• Comedy, which generally sells better than drama
• Doc's name on the marquee, to sell tickets
• Modern-dress realism, simpler for actors and designers
• The opportunity to use three separate casts and directors, if you want to get more people involved
• Assuming three casts, more prep time for the actors
• But the same set for all three shows
• And it's a hotel room, so it's not a difficult set
• And a generally high-quality script.

Congratulations - you are on your way to a fabulous adventure.  Break legs!

I agree with the above - almost any Neil Simon will sell well - especially Plaza Suite, The Odd Couple, Barefoot in the Park, The Sunshine Boys or Lost in Yonkers.

Other comedies:  I Hate Hamlet, Blithe Spirit, Shakespeare Abridged, Art, and Moon Over Buffalo.

Also, a thriller like Deathtrap, The Mousetrap or Wait Until Dark - these have relatively small casts (no more than 8) and will delight your audiences.

Lucky Stiff is a musical farce - very funny - and can be done with a small cast if you double parts, which can make for very funny costume and make up accessories.

Another musical I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change - 4 actors - and everyone seems to do well with ticket sales for this show.  Or try The Last Five Years - two actors singing about their relationship in opposite order.  A very good piece.

Dramas will not generally sell as well as comedies, but On Golden Pond may be one of the few exceptions to that rule.

Again, congrats on your new adventure! 

Bernie

It isn't difficult finding the publisher for a play.  Just type in the title and it will give you the information.

http://playdatabase.com - http://playdatabase.com

I found this site a few years back and it can help you.  Once you order scripts then you will start getting the different publishers catalogs!