Help Me Weigh Options!; Children's Musical Theatre

[myshikobit]

Posted: 2/22/10 at 9:44pm

Hi!,

So my favorite theatre troupe is preparing for our summer show, and right now, we are considering what show to do. I have ideas of my own that I want to refine and work out, so I thought I should balance it out with the good people of Broadwayworld :)

First, there are many factors that are involved; this is a children's charity theatre with actors aged from 4 to 18. There's a dozen or so performers who are being highly considered for roles (and expect them, often) so we need at least enough supporting roles for them. It is going towards a very commercial audience.

Our director (one of the nicest, most talented people you will ever meet) started this troupe when she was in middle school, starting with backyard (and illegal, but sincerely so) productions of musical movies (Wizard of Oz, Mary Poppins, Chitty...), then a brief phase of faux shows like "Enchanted Sleeping Beauty", and then reached a whole new height with last summer's "Peter Pan", which was performed in a high school auditorium, was absolutely wonderful and raised $8,000!!!

We've had a hard time finding a show to live up to it though. This year she will be on a backpacking trip through Europe all through July and decided not to do "Wizard of Oz" because she didn't have enough time to give her level best for it. So then she chose "Annie", but realized it was on tour so she couldn't get rights. Now she is interested in "Aladdin". The reasons being that it was 70 minutes long and had pre-made recording tapes and choreography videos.

My qualms with this idea is that we are very white (there, I said it), there are too few girls and it isn't a well put together show; the script is shoddy and it is hard to stage well. I think that it would take a lot of work on set and costumes to make it look good, and that it would most likely be an absurd mess. I think instead we should aim for a show that has sets that can be simple and chic. Actually, simple and chic for everything. Instead of getting warmed over leftovers for dinner; a watered down version of something that is only good with lots of preparation and timeliness, we should get a stylish meal that looks and tastes good but is very simple to prepare. If anyone has had any experiences with the show and could tell me what they think about it, it would be amazing.

Now, instead, I suggested a few shows, as well as her two other advisors; one of whom wants "Secret Garden" (which I'm kind of... blah, about) and the other who is on board for Aladdin (he's also slated to be Aladdin). I suggested "Carnival" and "Music Man". (again, any thoughts upon personal experiences is what I'm aiming for with this thread.

I think "Carnival" is great because it can be simple in set and yet look really good and professional. It has a wonderful score and an intriguing story. Upon watching an excellent production of "Midsummer" that was very minimal in set except that they had bright, beautiful curtains and a few objects dangling above. I think you could also do that with "Carnival"; it could look really classy very easily. There's many a part for many people. There's many ensemble numbers. I don't think it's necessary to make the puppets actually puppets; we have a bunch of adorable kids! We have two great female actresses; just absolutely wonderful, and then the guy who may be Aladdin and I are kind of like Lucy and Jessie; he has the good looks, pop music voice and is a talented dancer, but doesn't yet have that necessary leading man spark and confidence. Whereas I can't dance as well and have an old fashioned singing voice, but I like to say I'm an accomplished actor, and I do have that confidence and spark. Also, what our director really loved about "Peter" was that it had a lot of plot; there was action, sorrow, big characters and ensemble numbers, a place for children in the cast.

Also, "Music Man" is just classic musical theatre. There's a plot, sorrow, big characters and ensemble numbers and a place for children. It has a big name.

If there's any other ideas, it would be great to hear!

Updated On: 2/22/10 at 09:44 PM

[Maceman91]

Posted: 2/22/10 at 9:51pm

I can not rave enough about Back to the 80s. It's on MTI's site and has songs everyone loves! Also, the second everyone heard my school was doing a show containing their favorite 80s hits, we sold out all 4 shows. Nearly every song is available as an instrumental version somehwere. Highly recommended!

[myshikobit]

Posted: 2/22/10 at 9:55pm

I forgot to say; if anyone has a recording of the Encores! "Carnival" with Anne Hathaway and could PM me info on it, it would be really helpful. We're also going for bigger name shows that are more classically written and have room for small children. So "Back to the 80's" would probably not work... thanks anyways!

[dramamama611]

Posted: 2/23/10 at 5:19am

I would think Carnival is much too mature for the ages you are describing.

WHy not do Annie...unless it is touring close to you around the same time as your performance, they will still give you the rights. My middle school is doing it in May....(well, they are doing the "jr" version of it...but still)

They do not pull the rights from everyone just because it is touring again.

[ggersten]

Posted: 2/23/10 at 10:15am

Our community theatre couldn't get summer rights for Annie and the tour came through the area already.
I think Carnival is too mature - and Secret Garden doesn't have enough parts.
It's hard to go wrong with Music Man.
Willy Wonka seems to be very popular today - lots of roles, plus the Oompah Loompahs - a familiar tale with familiar songs. You can do simple sets or let your designs fly. Since you have oompah loompahs, you can have them actually change the set in view of the audience - moving pieces around - and if you have the capability - use varying backdrops.

And then there's Seussical.

Updated On: 2/23/10 at 10:15 AM