Musicals that CTs shouldn't even attempt...

What would be wrong with a community dance company doing Movin' Out? Local dance companies do ballets all the time.

As far as Avenue Q is concerned I wouldn't be surprised if there were some requirements for future college & community productions to rent specific puppets when they gain the performance rights.
dry2olives

Starlight Express

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I agree with Gothampc...

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The two shows that come to mind are MOST HAPPY FELLA and PORGY AND BESS. If I am not mistaken these two are not even available for CT's to produce. At least at one time the estates prohibited it.

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Has a CT ever done a full-nude TFM? Just wondering. If not, add that to my list.

I don't think there is a single show that a CT couldn't do with the right director/designers on board as long as the writing is good. If a show can't be done with just actors and minimal prop/set pieces--it isn't a good play or musical. The writers can never rely on the design to tell the story for them.

There are lots of shows (or moments in shows) that people thought could never be done without Broadway level tech and budgets.

I recall that when Into the Woods came out, some people thought you had to have a conveyour belt to make the cow work. Well, high schools, colleges and CTs (even the recent revival) have found ingenious ways to make the cow work.

When Theatre Under The Stars (granted, a regional theatre) did Miss Saigon in the round (this was even the first production ever mounted post-Broadway), few thought the show would work without the helicopter, flying car, giant statue, etc. The director did an amazing job creating new ways to tell those moments in the show without the need for spectacle. People had always said that MS is just about a helicopter. Well, without a fancy helicopter in this production, it became very clear that the writing was there and that the drama of that scene was all about the characters. I don't think there will be any problem with CTs and colleges doing this show.

Last year a highschool in the Houston area mounted a stunning production of Les Miserables that went to the Edinburgh Festival. They didn't have a revolve. They were lovely performers, but even with their inexperience (compared to the Broadway performers, I mean), their performance was very moving--the storytelling, the writing was all there. This show will be done in high schools, colleges, and CTs for decades to come.

I'm sure others can list examples of shows you never thought could be done--and yet, were done quite well. I'm sure Titanic and Wicked will do just fine--with an inventive director and designers.

And, there are many CTs who are brave enough to tackle the content and even nudity in shows like The Full Monty and Take Me Out.

Just my thoughts. =)

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Updated On: 1/18/04 at 04:56 PM

My school did Les Mis last year, and even though we did have the revolving stage, it kept breaking. All in all, it was one of the best musical productions I have ever seen in my life.

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I've seen Titanic at two community theatres as well as Broadway and they book did excellent jobs with the set work as well as the production as a whole.
Hairspray wouldnt be bad either. It would be very energetic. And Kiss Me Kate as well if directed by a more professional, experienced director.
Wicked, I agree will be a toughy for the actors and set designers.

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It completely depends on the theatre company itself. And then - the talent of the board and producers and directors etc. and the money. Some community theatre's have a lot of money. I've done several community show that topped the $60,000 mark. I know that's not a lot compared to broadway, but it's more than some professional theatres spend on a show.

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Our local summer theater just sent out a brochure in which they claim they are "considering" THE FULL MONTY for production this summer. I can't wait to see how it plays in this town!

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But, what if the director and designers didn't have the boat and fog, but some other cool way to tell that song? What if there was another way to stage "Masquerade"? What if the chandelier is rethought for CT? You have to think outside of the box. A musical's life isn't solely about "what they did on Broadway".

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" But, what if the director and designers didn't have the boat and fog, but some other cool way to tell that song? What if there was another way to stage "Masquerade"? What if the chandelier is rethought for CT? You have to think outside of the box. A musical's life isn't solely about "what they did on Broadway"."

Hmmm, I'm not a director or designer and tend not to think outside the Broadway box, but if it sounded like some original thinkers had come up with an innovative way to stage Phantom, I would go see it.