Help - looking for a non-traditional show for a high school production -
Help - looking for a non-traditional show for a high school production -
bwaybri2
Featured Actor Joined: 6/11/08
#1Help - looking for a non-traditional show for a high school production -
Posted: 8/9/10 at 10:02pm
Hello -
Here are our last 5 shows we have produced at our 'above average' arts high school -
Violet, Working, Bat Boy, Side Show, Blood Brothers - 2 of which went to the Fringe in Scotland -
But I have hit a wall in picking our next show - as you can tell we stay away for traditional fare -
I would appreciate any suggestions - shows that deal with social issues seem to be our thing -
Thank you for your help - I value most of your opinions 
Updated On: 8/9/10 at 10:02 PM
#2Help - looking for a non-traditional show for a high school production -
Posted: 8/9/10 at 10:11pmParade. Rent. Chicago. Cabaret.
#2Help - looking for a non-traditional show for a high school production -
Posted: 8/9/10 at 10:23pm
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.
bwaybri2
Featured Actor Joined: 6/11/08
#3Help - looking for a non-traditional show for a high school production -
Posted: 8/9/10 at 10:31pm
could you do parade without african americans ?? -
#4Help - looking for a non-traditional show for a high school production -
Posted: 8/9/10 at 10:31pmI 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!
#5Help - looking for a non-traditional show for a high school production -
Posted: 8/9/10 at 10:32pmNo you cannot do it without African-Americans
"I think lying to children is really important, it sets them off on the right track" -Sherie Rene Scott-
#7Help - looking for a non-traditional show for a high school production -
Posted: 8/9/10 at 10:44pmYou need at least two African American males.
#8Help - looking for a non-traditional show for a high school production -
Posted: 8/9/10 at 10:45pm
THE SPITFIRE GRILL (it's a small cast of six 3M, 3F. amazing music. nice story.)
The rights to LITTLE WOMEN are also available: http://www.theatricalrights.com/#/showdetail/?showid=LIWO/
"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
--Aristotle
#10Help - looking for a non-traditional show for a high school production -
Posted: 8/9/10 at 10:51pmI 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. "
singingbackup
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/3/06
#11Help - looking for a non-traditional show for a high school production -
Posted: 8/9/10 at 10:55pm3hree
#12Help - looking for a non-traditional show for a high school production -
Posted: 8/9/10 at 10:56pm
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
#13Help - looking for a non-traditional show for a high school production -
Posted: 8/9/10 at 11:00pm
Or do a different take on a traditional show.
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
--Aristotle
bwaybri2
Featured Actor Joined: 6/11/08
#14Help - looking for a non-traditional show for a high school production -
Posted: 8/9/10 at 11:09pm
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 -
ghostlight2
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/5/04
#15Help - looking for a non-traditional show for a high school production -
Posted: 8/9/10 at 11:11pm
"You need at least two African American males."
I'd agree with you, Michael Bennett, but the Donmar Parade and the recent Taper versions only had one, and one female.
#16Help - looking for a non-traditional show for a high school production -
Posted: 8/9/10 at 11:57pm
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
RICRoyal2010
Chorus Member Joined: 10/9/06
#17Help - looking for a non-traditional show for a high school production -
Posted: 8/10/10 at 12:02amA Man Of No Importance.
"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
#18Help - looking for a non-traditional show for a high school production -
Posted: 8/10/10 at 12:18amI second The Spitfire Grill.
And no one grew into anything new, we just became the worst of what we were."
#19Help - looking for a non-traditional show for a high school production -
Posted: 8/10/10 at 12:19am
Celebration
Assassins
Once on This Island
"Broadway...I'll lick you yet!"
#20Help - looking for a non-traditional show for a high school production -
Posted: 8/10/10 at 12:29am
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.
wizard2joe
Featured Actor Joined: 11/20/08
#21Help - looking for a non-traditional show for a high school production -
Posted: 8/10/10 at 12:57amCats!! I know a high school that actually pulled it off.
#22Help - looking for a non-traditional show for a high school production -
Posted: 8/10/10 at 1:44am
I agree The Spitfire Grill, Parade, and A Man of No Importance are all GREAT choices. When I read the original post I immediately thought of those 3.
dramamama611
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/4/07
#23Help - looking for a non-traditional show for a high school production -
Posted: 8/10/10 at 9:17am
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.
#24Help - looking for a non-traditional show for a high school production -
Posted: 8/10/10 at 9:22amDROOOOOOOD.
"When the audience comes in, it changes the temperature of what you've written." -Stephen Sondheim
#25Help - looking for a non-traditional show for a high school production -
Posted: 8/10/10 at 9:36amMy high school did Tommy awhile back. That was certainly not traditional for a high school! Everyone loved it.
"I've never encountered such religiously, you know, loyal fans as Broadway musical theater fans. It's amazing."
--Allison Janney
Broadway Star Joined: 12/31/69
#26Help - looking for a non-traditional show for a high school production -
Posted: 8/10/10 at 11:24amthe Producers?
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