Play Suggestions: Show suggestion

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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=5069
Printed Date: 11/23/24 at 4:05am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 8.05 - http://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: Show suggestion

Posted By: Nanette
Subject: Show suggestion
Date Posted: 5/13/11 at 10:10am

I 'm starting a new job next year as Drama Coach at the high school! The history of the theatre is great ... state-of-the-art facility, extremely talented kids, super support team. They've done the likes of 'State Fair', 'Annie', 'Oklahoma', 'Guys and Dolls', etc .... all the classics. I may (or may not) have access to the music teacher (it all depends on if she wants to take on another musical next year), but have directed musicals in the past myself.

I would like some suggestions for musicals and straight shows that would draw crouds, but not be so expected of the high school kids. I'm thinking 'Honk!', 'Into the Woods', or 'Secret Garden'. Ideas????

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In a world of margarine, be butter!

Replies:

Posted By: donzolidis
Date Posted: 5/13/11 at 2:40pm

Into the Woods, though an incredibly awesome show, might be tough if your access to the music teacher is limited.

I'm a big fan of Thoroughly Modern Millie - (great roles for girls, really fun singing and dancing) probably my favorite among the shows I've been involved with.

Little Shop of Horrors is fun too, although the plant can be tricky (there are services that rent them, but it can get quite expensive), and the end of the show is kind of weak.

For Straight plays, there are a bunch. Sometimes a good place to start is the list of the most-produced plays in american high schools, here:

http://schooltheatre.org/education/play-survey - http://schooltheatre.org/education/play-survey

--if you look real close, you'll see my name at #6 in the one-acts list.

I also have a ton of full-length plays I've written that get done at hundreds of high schools around the country. Here's a link to my page through Playscripts, inc. I can recommend something specific if you'd like.

http://www.playscripts.com/author.php3?authorid=426 - http://www.playscripts.com/author.php3?authorid=426

Hope that helps!

Don

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www.donzolidis.com

Posted By: donzolidis
Date Posted: 5/13/11 at 2:41pm

Oh and the best way to draw a crowd for a straight play is either to do Shakespeare (extra credit from English classes!) or do a play with a mammoth cast, (all their friends and parents come.)

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www.donzolidis.com

Posted By: Rorgg
Date Posted: 5/20/11 at 11:59am

Yeah, the music for Into the Woods is EXTREMELY hard, so I wouldn't do it without an experienced vocal director/accompanist. I love it, but you're asking for trouble without the right personnel for that.

As for shows you should do... I'm not a HUGE fan of it, but Grease is usually a favorite, and it's a show ABOUT high schoolers -- let them do it now when they can.

If you want something unexpected ... my HS did Cabaret 3 years after I graduated (due to illness, I filled in in a total emergency a week and a half before open). It was a bit edgy for high school, and it's a kind of dark show, but it's educational, a good show, and can certainly be done without the elements that put the original production beyond the pale.

Posted By: sguti39
Date Posted: 5/24/11 at 9:53pm

I like Zombie Prom, its not well know, but it has a sizeable cast and with the right marketing can be well promoted. The Who's Tommy is also a great show. You can get us 60's/70's/80's people to come hear the exceptional music of the Who and you can also get that group of auditioners out that are more commercial than us musical theater geeks--expand your audience base. Just a couple of less conventional ideas.

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S.G.

Posted By: Ogreking4
Date Posted: 6/17/11 at 3:19pm

You might try "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" or "Fiddler on the Roof"... "Anything Goes"...

Good luck!

Posted By: SamD
Date Posted: 6/18/11 at 10:01pm

Hairspray!

Posted By: Rorgg
Date Posted: 6/23/11 at 12:47pm

Hairspray has a rider that requires a racially diverse cast, so there's a possible roadblock.

Thumbs up for Fiddler -- IF you have someone you know can pull off Tevye. No Tevye, no show.

Posted By: Melvin
Date Posted: 6/29/11 at 10:25am

For a straight play involving lots of student actors A Midsummer's Night Dream is hard to beat. If you want a shorter version (hour and a half) of the show which still has no royalties, go here - http://www.lazybeescripts.co.uk/YouthTheatre/A_Midsummer_Nights_Dream_GM.htm