Play Suggestions: Here's a real challenge for play selection experts

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Here's a real challenge for play selection experts

Printed From: Community Theater Green Room
Category: Producing Theater
Forum Name: Play Suggestions
Forum Discription: Need help finding a show that's right for your theater? Ask here.
URL: http://www.communitytheater.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=3911
Printed Date: 11/26/24 at 5:30am
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Topic: Here's a real challenge for play selection experts

Posted By: peacock
Subject: Here's a real challenge for play selection experts
Date Posted: 3/31/09 at 7:57am

I direct drama at an international school in Bangladesh. My students speak excellent English as a second language, but their families have all levels of English ability. This is a Muslim country, so no sex, no alcohol, no divorce and no swearing. Not much guy/girl contact either. So I am looking for scripts with lots of physical humor (for those who do not have great English), clean, and not too much "Americana". They loved Charlie's Aunt but hated Cheaper by the Dozen.

We did "Stories of Scheherazade" from Pioneer last year, it was a smash hit. This year I wrote a play set in Bangladesh, but I can't do that every year. I am thinking about "Wizard of Oz" next year. But I want to hear any suggestions. Also, I have lots of kids come out for auditions, 51 this year.

Replies:

Posted By: Melvin
Date Posted: 4/02/09 at 11:43pm

You have quite a few restrictions for your show! But most school directors face many of the same things, only not so severe. Since you mention Wizard of Oz, I have a suggestion. Lazy Bee Scripts in England has a show called "Drama Club Must Die," a two act musical, which basically does Wizard of Oz during its second act. It has bunches of roles and has neither sex nor language problems. 8 to 12 males, 15 to 22 females, and 10 to 25 either gender. And the royalties are very reasonable, especially if you don't charge admission. You can peruse it for free online here -

http://www.lazybeescripts.co.uk/YouthTheatre/Drama_Club_Must_Die.htm

Posted By: Lazy Bee
Date Posted: 4/03/09 at 12:31pm

In addition to the script highlighted by Melvin (thank you!), there are others from Lazy Bee which may fit the bill. See http://www.lazybeescripts.co.uk/cgi-bin/Search_Results.asp?iMM=10&iMF=10&iMT=30&iAR=3&iC%281%29=2&iC%2813%29=2&iC%2819%29=1&iC%2820%29=1&sAs1=Christmas&sAs2=New_Testament - this long list (though some of those will not be exact fits to your needs).
We also have another version of http://www.lazybeescripts.co.uk/cgi-bin/Search_Results.asp?iSc=528 - Wizard of Oz (However, when considering the Wizard it is always worth asking yourself whether you want to do it because of the songs from the MGM musical - if you do, then you have to use that version of the script and no other).

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Stuart
Lazy Bee Scripts
http://www.lazybeescripts.co.uk - http://www.lazybeescripts.co.uk read complete play scripts on-line

Posted By: gina
Date Posted: 9/06/09 at 3:00pm

What about Seussical Jr.?

Physical humor, great colorful costumes and fun music!! We did it last year with 2nd to 8th graders...I am having a hard time picking a play this year that i think will be as good!!

The only thing is you might have to tone down Mayzie a bit...She does get left behind with an egg...