Choosing a Musical For Middle School Aged Performers

This is the time of the year when I start my research for the musical I will direct in the Spring. My situation is unique in that I have a class of 24 eighth grade students (13 and 14 years old)that I will see every day of the school year. We do choral music, acting, vocal technique, movement/dancing and discuss costume, set and scenery design as well as sound and lighting.

This year's class has 9 boys, which is about the most I've had. I cast the show from the class itself and have been double casting principals for the past three years. This gives more students the opportunity to have the spotlight.

All the kids can sing well, some of course, have that "star power" quality.

I also cast the ensemble from the 5th-7th graders, taking about 10 from each grade for quite a large ensemble.

I have been doing the Broadway Jr. shows for the past 4 years because it's cost effective (read, I have NO budget and must fundraise!) and the Jr.'s include performance CD's (which are great because hiring an accompanist is costly). Our band can play well, but not well enough to play a show and we don't have an orchestra or any string players.

So.........I want to do a BIG show this year. Last year I did High School Musical and we sold out all of our performances. Yay! But I want to do something this year that is not linked to Disney. I want something with a fair amount of dancing, fun characters, easy costumes/sets and great music.

It has to be a show that would work with a large ensemble, too.

If anyone has any suggestions, I'd love to hear them.

By the way, I do it all...the casting, directing, musical direction, choreography, costumes, set/scenery design (but our tech teacher has his students actually build and paint the sets) and I also take care of all adminstrative duties like securing the rights, advertising and the program. It is exhausting but incredibly rewarding and most importantly, fun!

So, what are your thoughts? Any ideas are appreciated and I'd also like to know why you are recommending a particular show.

THANK YOU!!!

"How to Succeed..." is NOT all that clean... the Hedy LaRue character ispretty much a bimbo slut.

"Bye Bye Birdie" is always a good choice - since about half the character and most of the chorus is teens.

OK, before anyone else replies, I will list the shows I've done in the past 9 years.

Annie, Jr.
Music Man, Jr.
Bye, Bye, Birdie!
The Sound of Music
Disney'd Aladdin, Jr.
Disney's Jungle Book Kids
Disney's High School Musical (One act version)

My first two years in this position I did small shows from a company called Pioneer Drama. Those were just bad...

Also, one year when I came back from maternity leave, I did a musical revue.

OK, now, bring on the suggestions!!!

Yeah, I think INTO THE WOODS would be a great choice for you.

There is an INTO THE WOODS JR. It's one act and much lighter than the real version (the dreary second act is gone). However, the scores strongest number (NO ONE IS ALONE) is cut.

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MATTRESS could be very good, too.

Rent the ABC movie. It's a nice interpretation and highlights the show's childish sensibility.

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I've seen it done at more than one middle school. The students could definitely handle it.

If ANNIE is do-able, then INTO THE WOODS.

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In the last 5-6 years I've done the following with middle schoolers:

Once On This Island Jr
Annie Jr
Seussical Jr
Peter Pan
The Wizard of Oz
Bye Bye Birdie
Fiddler On The Roof Jr

All were successful. I also have NO budget as I work for a non-profit.

My daughter is a rising 8th grader at a performing arts school. Last year, they did Jungle Book and the year before Aladdin. This fall, the musical is Fabulous Fable Factory. When my son was at that school, they did Dear Edwina and the Wizard of Oz. My daughter is curretntly doing OUAM. I never thought of this but one high schooler said they couldn't do that show because Lady Larkin was pregnant before she got married. I did see Godspell Jr. on the Jr. website- that would be fun. Middle school is such a hard age because shows are either too juvenile or too risque. I've also seen youth theatre doing Oklahoma, Lil Abner, Little Shop of Horrors, Guys and Dolls, cinderella (with boys playing the ugly step-sisters). hope this helps!

I vote for Once Upon a Mattress.

For many reasons, some already listed, plus... I was in it when I was in middle school! A great show to do with an ensemble of young teens!

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I would suggest the Mary Martin version of Peter Pan.

A Year With Frog and Toad was originally done with five people, but can be done with a larger cast.

Guys an Dolls is a great show to do with a large cast, and MTI has a Jr. version.

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