Please Help! Community Theater Decision!

[Horton]

Posted: 2/19/06 at 11:51am

So for a community theater that I participate in, we are deciding between five shows, and I would really like all of your help. These shows are: The Boy Friend, No, No, Nanette, Sweet Charity, Li'l Abner, and Thoroughly Modern Millie. We generally try to go with shows with large casts, big dance numbers, fun music, not huge sets, not huge costumes etc. To give you some idea of our past shows we have done: State Fair, Anything Goes, Bye Bye Birdie, Good News, 42nd Street, The Pajama Game & The Music Man. The list goes on and on, but I think that you get the general idea. So out of the shows, which one would you do and why? Thanks!
Updated On: 2/19/06 at 11:51 AM

[My Fair Lady]

Posted: 2/19/06 at 12:01pm

Where are you doing community theater? PM me.

Anyway, scratch The Boyfriend. It's an awful show. I say Millie, but that's because I love it.

[Horton]

Posted: 2/19/06 at 12:04pm

ok thanks, also if you dont like any of our suggestions, you can add shows.

[theatreboi11]

Posted: 2/19/06 at 12:09pm

Li'l Abner! This was the very first show I ever did and it is so much fun! You get to portray these over the top characters and really have fun with the sets and costumes. The songs are so much fun and give lots of room to crazy dance numbers.

[Horton]

Posted: 2/19/06 at 12:14pm

ok, do you guys think that Charity and Millie are to much of a star vehical? the cast ranges from 7th graders to people that just graduated 12th grade.

[colleen_lee]

Posted: 2/19/06 at 12:22pm

In that case, yes, I think Charity and Millie might be a bit much for them to carry, unless you have a particularly gifted triple-threat female.

[BroadwayNick]

Posted: 2/19/06 at 12:55pm

I'd have to go with Millie...it seems the most fun out of all of those

[WISHIHADATONY]

Posted: 2/19/06 at 1:08pm

NO, NO, NANNETTE--None of the others mentioned, even belong in the same category of this masterpiece. NANNETTE is full of fabulous roles to play, songs to sing and dances to dance. It is one of the GREATS. NONE of the shows you mention come remotely close to being a NO, NO, NANNETTE. Good luck with whatever production you do.

[sidneybruhl]

Posted: 2/19/06 at 1:20pm

I'd have to go with "Li'l Abner." It's a show that should be done more often than it is. It has great score and is very funny besides. Guess I'd have to say "Millie" would be my second choice.

[grizzabella]

Posted: 2/19/06 at 1:32pm

From the shows that you've already done, it seems as if your group tends to go with the "classics". With this in mind, while my first choice would be "Millie" I second Colleen Lee that unless you have a very strong female lead, it might not be the best choice. Same with "Charity". "Li'l Abner" is a show for a big cast, lots of options for dance, a lot of entertainly silly fun in its concept and casting, won't break the budget on costumes or sets, and will fit into the classics tradition you have going with your past shows. It's also age-appropriate.

[Horton]

Posted: 2/19/06 at 3:08pm

so is Abner a star vehicle?

[YankeesFan175]

Posted: 2/19/06 at 3:09pm

i dont know if one of these posters was kidding, but:

no no nanette is horrible. stay away from it at all costs.

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 2/19/06 at 3:13pm

Did they release the Millie rights for non-pros?

I'd go with Charity or Millie. If you have a superb leading lady to cast. Pick up the book "Let's Put on a Musical". It is great for choosing a show that will suit your company best.

[popular_elphie]

Posted: 2/19/06 at 3:16pm

Charity or Millie.

[BwayBaby18]

Posted: 2/19/06 at 3:20pm

I think Millie is a better choice. But Sweet Charity or Thoroughly Modern Millie. I think the kids would appreciate Millie more then Charity.

Horton, do you know if you can get the new endign to Sweet Charity?

[grizzabella]

Posted: 2/19/06 at 3:24pm

"So is Li'l Abner a star vehicle?"

Not in the same sense that Charity or Millie is. You have several leading roles, but there isn't one big, leading role that by necessity has to carry the show.

[Katurian2]

Posted: 2/19/06 at 3:26pm

Millie is such a cute show and can be done with simple sets!

[Horton]

Posted: 2/19/06 at 7:27pm

Does anybody have any other ideas?

[wickedrentq]

Posted: 2/19/06 at 8:33pm

Well your past shows seem to have all been more comedic, happy, nondramatic shows. I'm assuming you're looking for more of a show like that than one where half the cast dies?

Going by that...I can't explain why, I've never done it, and I wouldn't call it one of my favorite shows, but Kiss Me Kate is what's coming to mind. There's some nice dance numbers there, fits in to the comedic/happy pattern, the leads have to be good but not necessarily star triple threats. I'm sure you can figure out some way to get sets and costumes to not be huge.

Oh, and I very much agree with not doing the Boyfriend. Did not like that show at all.

[colleen_lee]

Posted: 2/19/06 at 8:34pm

Kiss Me, Kate is exactly what I was going to suggest also.

[broadwaybelter]

Posted: 2/19/06 at 8:35pm

Millie

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 2/19/06 at 8:39pm

Guys and Dolls

[Horton]

Posted: 2/19/06 at 8:40pm

Thanks, great idea. Do you know if Tams Witmark owns the rights to it?

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 2/19/06 at 9:20pm

I agree with Kiss Me Katie cause it sorta goes along the lines of what you guys have already done.

[colleen_lee]

Posted: 2/19/06 at 9:23pm

yes, it is tams-witmark

ETA: And this was my 1000th post. I am officially a loser!

Updated On: 2/19/06 at 09:23 PM