HS edition of Les miserables- Page 3

[QOM]

Posted: 9/21/05 at 10:15pm

Well for the musical, it's all about the ads and patrons for the program book. Our ad prices range from $175 for a whole page to $35 for an 1/8 page. We have three levels of patrons Gold Club - $100, Silver- $50 and Patron- $25. We also charge $3 to put a message to someone in the cast. We usually raise about $6000 with these. Then we also make about 1500 on refreshments. Of course ticket sales are the biggest moneymaker for a show. Last year, for the first time, we also charged the cast members $30 each for a performance fee to help offset costs.

When my dept. does band and chorus trips, we sometimes fundraise with things like pizza kit sales and holiday plant sales.

I am at work right now (unfortunately) doing some late night work, and I just looked up some theatre budget stuff on my computer so that I could answer this question. I found my financial file on LMSE. Guess how much it cost us to do this show. I'd love to know how much you guys think a high school production of this show costs. Take a few guesses.

[boytobroadway]

Posted: 9/21/05 at 10:44pm

I suppose my experience was a REAL rareity. i wtched the video of that one on the second page and that was sheer crap. The one I saw was astounding. I wish I had some proof, cause you would seriously have no idea what I am talking about unless you heard/saw it.

I wish schools wouldn't even attemp it because it is way to hard to pull off.

I wish I could relive that night, and just happen to have a video camera in my lap,
B2B

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 9/21/05 at 11:15pm

I think it was. I sort of envy you. The video you reference? If those clips are a decent representation of that production, then it was on the whole, a lot better than both the productions I saw.

[boytobroadway]

Posted: 9/21/05 at 11:19pm

WOW!!! Now I realize how really really lucky I was.

JEEZ!
B2B

[Fosse76]

Posted: 9/21/05 at 11:40pm

What many of you seem to forget, though, that high school productions aren't necessarily supposed to be fantastic productions. They're real purpose is to allow kids to experience theatre and the arts, but also to develop skills such as teamwork, committment and responsibility. While many who perform in these productions do pursue theatre and other entertainment related careers, its primary purpose is not to put on a broadway calibur show. It is a tough show to do, but I think the teacher is ultimately to blame if it is a total disaster. A good teacher could make it work with the talent they are given. If a student doesn't take it seriously (which would be evident after only a few rehersals), thyen a re-casting would be in order. And I really don't see the issue with "Lovely Ladies". That is tame compared to what can be seen in most PG movies these days.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 9/21/05 at 11:50pm

I'm not going to reassure myself when I leave the theatre by repeating to myself that isn't that nice, the kids learned something, while at the same time recovering from the crap I just saw.

[QOM]

Posted: 9/21/05 at 11:53pm

I agree. The purpose is always education. It is all about the students and that can never be forgotten. And you are right about the director being the problem if it is a disaster. The actual choice of which show is to be produced is the number one determining factor in its success. That, and casting. Directors have to know their kids' strengths and weaknesses, their theatre programs strengths and weaknesses and their school community well enough to pick the right show. If you are going to pick a show like LMSE, you have to know that you can pull it off or forget about it.

[Fosse76]

Posted: 9/22/05 at 12:11am

"I'm not going to reassure myself when I leave the theatre by repeating to myself that isn't that nice, the kids learned something, while at the same time recovering from the crap I just saw. "

But you shouldn't be going to a high school production thinking you are going to be "wowed" by the talent. It's to give them the opportunity to learn and have a good time by performing. If the kids did their best and learned from it, then that's all that matters. If you want Broadway calibur performances, go see a show on Broadway (at least one that's not produced by the Weisslers, since talent is a crapshoot with their shows). High School theatre (in general, mind you) is NOT for the audience. It's for the students involved. When you're only paying $10-20 for a show, you really shouldn't even be expecting college-quality shows. What makes Les Miz any less appropriate than Oklahoma or Into the Woods?

[QOM]

Posted: 9/22/05 at 7:25am

I agree with Fosse again, but would like to add that even though what you are saying is true, the high school audience does not get that. There is tremendous pressure to produce high quality work and the competition from other high schools (yes, there is thriving competition) can be pretty tough. Parents, teachers, administrators and students expect quality. And really, that's what the students involved deserve too. But you are right in saying that one shouldn't expect Broadway standards, that would be ridiculous. And maybe you are even right in saying that one shouldn't expect to be wowed because there are so many crappy productions out there, but they shouldn't expect not to be wowed just because it's a h.s show either.

[AvenueQPat]

Posted: 9/22/05 at 9:57am

My 2 Cents

MTI, Tams-Witmark, Samuel French, Rodgers and Hamerstein, and these other licensing companies care more about their profit line then the authors integrity to the show. Why is it that HUGE REVIVALS are allowed to change things (Ex. London South Pacific, 1999 Kiss me Kate) but High Schools and a lot of Professional Theatres are not. I say this because in my experience rights to change have never been granted for a school or regional theatre production I have worked on.

I think that some shows are great as they are, and (most of the time) those are the shows that I am drawn to - If I am dying to do something and I want to make changes and not worry about copyright issues, I add a rider to my contract telling the producers that they need to obtain all rights for changes and everything like that, or they will absorb my financial liability - if they aren't up for that I will do the show Note For Note as written.

[Tenorman]

Posted: 9/22/05 at 10:22am

I did the show two years ago and loved it. Songs were adjusted as needed for the performer - BHH was lowered!! I had a lot of fun and the production was actually good - THANK GOD FOR A GOOD HIGH SCHOOL THEATRE PROGRAM!! I believe that a high school should only do shows that they can do well. You learn the same things from doing an "easy" show as you would from a harder show, based on experience and talent. I think that little steps work better than huge leaps of faith in the high school theatre world. I would rather do a show to be proud of than do a show with a huge cult following and have it suck. Just have fun!!