I think PARADE can be an incredibly powerful choice - challenging vocally and dramatically, with a large cast and a historical event at its center which tends to rally the entire production team.
I will concur with Parade. That is the first thing that popped into my head before I even read the following posts...maybe because I just mentioned it in another thread!
"The Spectacle has, indeed, an emotional attraction of its own, but, of all the parts, it is the least artistic, and connected least with the art of poetry. For the power of Tragedy, we may be sure, is felt even apart from representation and actors. Besides, the production of spectacular effects depends more on the art of the stage machinist than on that of the poet."
--Aristotle
I agree with BwayTday. Rent, Chicago, and Cabaret would be great. I do not know enough about Parade. I would also add Miss Saigon. I know some high schools do this show, but it is by no means a traditional high school show.
"There’s nothing quite like the power and the passion of Broadway music. "
I admire your willingness to look outside the box for your students, but what's wrong with a classic? If all you've done are risky, non-traditional shows, shake it up a little.
"If this is going to be a Christian nation that doesn't help the poor, either we have to pretend that Jesus was just as selfish as we are, or we've got to acknowledge that He commanded us to love the poor and serve the needy without condition and then admit that we just don't want to do it." -Stephen Colbert
Or develop an original musical written by your students.
"The Spectacle has, indeed, an emotional attraction of its own, but, of all the parts, it is the least artistic, and connected least with the art of poetry. For the power of Tragedy, we may be sure, is felt even apart from representation and actors. Besides, the production of spectacular effects depends more on the art of the stage machinist than on that of the poet."
--Aristotle
Perhaps I should have been more accurate - we do non traditional one semester and then traditional - our last five traditional (family friendly) shows have been: Peter Pan, HSMusical (I'm Sorry), Seussical, Music Man, Cinderella -
So I'm looking for shows to compliment those listed above -
Thank you - and Parade has been on the short list for awhile -
As someone who went to a high school where a musical was only done every two years, I'm jealous.
Some ideas:
Lucky Stiff (a very unique challenge) Zombie Prom Urinetown
"If this is going to be a Christian nation that doesn't help the poor, either we have to pretend that Jesus was just as selfish as we are, or we've got to acknowledge that He commanded us to love the poor and serve the needy without condition and then admit that we just don't want to do it." -Stephen Colbert
"I'm that one in a million chance when the director says 'you', the small town boy who makes it big, the one that little children and grown men and women will adore, I'm that shot in the dark everyone talks about, you may not know my name yet, but you will, everyone will, someday."- Me
My sister's high school did Parade in the spring and everyone loved it.
There is always Ragtime if you have ebough black students. South Pacific is also not done a lot by high schools and is one of the first shows with social issues.
I was going to make the same comment about variety, but you already have that covered! I only produce one musical a year, but then two other mainstage shows. I try to find a balance between my shows so that the students have an interesting array from their 4 years.
Sweeney Todd Blood Brothers Cabaret Urinetown (it's actually very traditional, but always raises eyebrows)
Have a great school year!
If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it?
These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.