Good Musicals For The "TYPICAL" Teenager- Page 2

[rmusic11322]

Posted: 11/24/09 at 4:44pm

BUMP:

I did a bit more research and I found new options; Avenue Q, IN The Heights, ROck of Ages, THe Lion King, and Wicked.


Which ones? :)

[tazber]

Posted: 11/24/09 at 5:27pm

Rock Of Ages or In The Heights.

[NeoNormal]

Posted: 11/24/09 at 8:00pm

Wicked
Rock of Ages
Mamma Mia!
Mary Poppins
Chicago
West Side Story
SHREK!

Anything thats been made into a movie or the source is a movie should fit perfectly.

[legally_popular]

Posted: 11/24/09 at 8:25pm

I would rank them as:
In the Heights
Avenue Q
Wicked
Rock of Ages
The Lion King

The first three especially are also favorites of my friends who aren't theater fanatics like me.

[frontrowcentre2]

Posted: 11/24/09 at 8:34pm

What about some of the new shows? MEMPHIS? BYE BYE BIRDIE? FINIAN'S RAINBOW? RAGTIME?

[rmusic11322]

Posted: 11/24/09 at 9:19pm

"I would rank them as:
In the Heights
Avenue Q
Wicked
Rock of Ages
The Lion King

The first three especially are also favorites of my friends who aren't theater fanatics like me."

Perfect! Time to get started on the presentation!

[perfectlymarvelous]

Posted: 11/24/09 at 11:26pm

Rock of Ages or In the Heights would probably go over best for non-theater-loving high schoolers. I know tons of people who aren't "theater people" who have purposely gone out and seen both of those shows or been interested in seeing them.

[binau]

Posted: 11/25/09 at 2:28pm

I can't see how 'non-theatre-loving-high schoolers' would enjoy In the Heights more than Avenue Q (especially the males), assuming they high schoolers are 16-17-18 years.

[AwesomeDanny]

Posted: 11/25/09 at 2:44pm

Why don't you take our suggestions and ask the students which sound most interesting to them? They know what they like more than we know what they like. Give a brief description of the show and maybe play a song or two and have them vote on what to see.

[myshikobit]

Posted: 11/25/09 at 2:48pm

why hasn't anyone mentioned Next to Normal- all of the theatre kids at my school are obsessed with it and even my non theatre friends like it

[legally_popular]

Posted: 11/25/09 at 3:00pm

The OP said that he/she was going to do a mini-presentation on each of the shows and let the students decide themselves. I agree that this is the best idea.

[romgitsean]

Posted: 11/25/09 at 3:18pm

I would agree with the poster two posts above me--Next to Normal seems like a wise choice. It gears towards the Spring Awakening gang, which are generally pretentious teenagers.

However, a presentation of all of the musicals would be good.

[rmusic11322]

Posted: 11/25/09 at 4:22pm

I know mostly nothing about Next to Normal, except for a few songs, but I heard that if I want to see it, I have to get ready to cry. Is that true?

*NO SPOILERS PLEASE :)

[legally_popular]

Posted: 11/25/09 at 5:15pm

Next to Normal is heavy subject matter and it does induce tears, but don't think that's a reason to avoid the show. I have a friend who heard that Next to Normal was good, but that it was a "downer" so she doesn't want to see it. I highly recommend it, even to "typical teenagers" who aren't theater buffs. I'd definitely include it with your other options.


Wiki (I know, not that best site) has a decent, brief summary that doesn't have any spoilers:
Next to Normal is a Tony Award winning rock musical with book and lyrics by Brian Yorkey and music by Tom Kitt. Its story concerns a mother who struggles with worsening bipolar disorder and the effect that her illness has on her family. The musical also addresses such issues as grieving a loss, suicide, drug abuse, ethics in modern psychiatry, and suburban life.

[AwesomeDanny]

Posted: 11/25/09 at 5:19pm

Although it's sad, it's uplifting and at many points it's very humorous. It's the perfect blend of every emotion.

[rmusic11322]

Posted: 11/25/09 at 5:34pm

Alrighty then, you all convinced me. Next To Normal is an option. And since the cast is very few, we might be able to meet them all or get a backstage tour. Maybe I'll get that from any of the shows we might see. Does anyone know how to come in contact with people who could make that happen?

[Dantes]

Posted: 11/25/09 at 5:37pm

well i think you have enough now for them to make a desicion

[AwesomeDanny]

Posted: 11/25/09 at 5:59pm

Actually, to go backstage for a Broadway show, you have to either be famous or know somebody involved with the show... and talking to the ticket person on the phone when ordering tickets doesn't count. However, I believe that on broadway.com, you can buy this package where the kids get to go backstage before (or after) a matinee, learn a song and dance, have a Q&A with a few cast members, and see the show. However, there is always the stage door to get autographs as long as your group isn't gigantic.

[WishingOnlyWounds2]

Posted: 11/25/09 at 6:13pm

Wicked is probably the safest choice.

[eactormom]

Posted: 11/25/09 at 6:13pm

When you buy your tickets through group sales, speak with the ticket agent and tell her you would like to arrange a talk back for your group. She should tell you how to go about contacting someone at that show, usually the stage manager, who could help you - they will ask for a donation to Broadway Cares Equity Fights Aids (about $100-150 I think it depends on the group size). Availability depends on when you are going to see the show - matinee or evening and day of the week. They will not promise the whole cast but one or two of the principles and a few ensemble (not sure how they handle this with N2N) and they will speak with your group for 20 minutes - that is all they are allowed because of the union rules for the people who clean the theatres. you cannot take pictures inside the theatre nor will they sign autographs in the theatre - but the actors may then exit the stage door and meet and greet. It is a really unique experience and fun for kids to hear 'backstage' stories about the cast and show.
I think Next to Normal is a great choice.

[rmusic11322]

Posted: 11/25/09 at 6:55pm

Definitely taking notes on that. I will update on how things go. Maybe some of my classsmates might start liking Broadway.

[rmusic11322]

Posted: 11/29/09 at 9:38pm

BUMP: Does anybody which certain video that will represent each show very well. For Avenue Q, I wanted to use the Royal Variety performance, but the West End Gary Coleman is played by a man.

[AwesomeDanny]

Posted: 11/29/09 at 10:31pm

I don't think that'll matter--they'll just be in for a bigger surprise if they see the show! Maybe if you list the shows you're considering, we could direct you to specific youtube videos.

[rmusic11322]

Posted: 11/29/09 at 11:08pm

Avenue Q
In The Heights
Next To Normal
Rock Of Ages
The Lion King
Wicked

[ggersten]

Posted: 11/30/09 at 2:46pm

go to www.bluegobo.com for video selections.