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Small Musicals w Minimal Sets

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#1

Small Musicals w Minimal Sets

Posted: 4/27/17 at 12:40pm

Hello!

I'm an undergrad theatre lover going to a college where the theatre professors don't really like (or respect) musical theatre. They're a bit eletist in their art but hey they put on good plays so I'm not gunna judge too hard. But I'd love to get a student run musical happening here. But because of the lack of infrastructure or much support, I basically need something I can do [title of show] style with "four chairs and a keyboard."



So if you have some examples of shows with casts of less than 10, which dont need much of a set or a band or super complex costumes, I'd love to hear it. Things like [title of show], Spelling Bee, Last Five Years, ect.



Thanks!

#4

Small Musicals w Minimal Sets

Posted: 4/27/17 at 1:02pm

Falsettos?

“6 AM. The sky glows. Somewhere a bird chirps. I want to shoot it.” ~ Jonathan Larson, Tick...Tick..BOOM
#6

Small Musicals w Minimal Sets

Posted: 4/27/17 at 1:14pm

Depending on your theater, Next to Normal has a very bare set and a cast of six.

21 Chump Street is super short and simple too, cast of six.



But really, in terms of set? Depending on how creative your team is you can strip pretty much any musical down.

#8

Small Musicals w Minimal Sets

Posted: 4/27/17 at 2:05pm

You're a Good Man Charlie Brown

Godspell

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.
#10

Small Musicals w Minimal Sets

Posted: 4/27/17 at 2:43pm

Can't basically any musical be performed concert style, which it sounds like what you'll be doing. Well, except for complex musicals where more elaborate sets and costumes are pretty much necessary to tell the story.

Is ROMANCE/ROMANCE available for licensing? I've never seen it performed but I listened to the album (yes, it was that long ago) so much I basically wore it out. True, it only has the two actors, and the two dancers, so there is not much opportunity for students. But if you're trying to prove something to the faculty, maybe simple is better?

SONGS FOR A NEW WORLD is also another favorite recording from a while ago. Minimal set but again, a small cast (four actors).

#11

Small Musicals w Minimal Sets

Posted: 4/27/17 at 2:46pm

Student-run musical? Will it also be funded by the students? So long as you're aware you'll end up paying for the royalties to do the show and that could be pricey.

#13

Small Musicals w Minimal Sets

Posted: 4/27/17 at 2:53pm

Violet can be done with a fairly small number of actors and musicians. It's the kind of show many of your elitist colleagues would like as well, if it's done well.

Caption: Every so often there was a rare moment of perfect balance when I soared above him.
#16

Small Musicals w Minimal Sets

Posted: 4/27/17 at 3:08pm

Baby is also another one with minimal sets/costumes and can be done on a small budget.

#17

Small Musicals w Minimal Sets

Posted: 4/27/17 at 3:40pm

BED AND SOFA (an oddity, but I enjoyed it. Also, possibly GOBLIN MARKET by the same writer, though I don't know the piece.)

She was a good cook, as cooks go; and as cooks go, she went.
#19

Small Musicals w Minimal Sets

Posted: 4/27/17 at 4:17pm

Tintypes. 5 people (2 Men, 3 Women). I've done the show with just a piano player on a set with flags colors in vertical banners across the back of the stage and a few prop pieces.

#20

Small Musicals w Minimal Sets

Posted: 4/27/17 at 4:26pm

Calvin Berger - 4 Actors, Table + Chairs Set, A Combo with a Keyboard, Drums, Bass, Violin and Cello

Golden Boy Of The Blue Ridge - 10 Actors, Unit Set, Banjo, Mandolin, Guitar, Fiddle, Bass, Played by the Actors

Things To Ruin - 9 Actors, Concert Set, Guitar, Bass, Drums, and Piano

#22

Small Musicals w Minimal Sets

Posted: 4/27/17 at 5:10pm

Falsettos

She Loves Me (I did it with very limited sets and just a piano and it worked beautifully)

A New Brain

Grey Gardens

Sweeney Todd

IMO, it would be more intriguing to choose a full musical rather than more of a song cycle such as Songs for a New World or Ordinary Days and stage it in a simple, intimate way.

#23

Small Musicals w Minimal Sets

Posted: 4/27/17 at 5:21pm

I've recently fallen in love with Pasek and Paul's Dogfight, which is a small chamber musical.

Jimmy, what are you doing here in the middle of the night? It's almost 9 PM!
#24

Small Musicals w Minimal Sets

Posted: 4/27/17 at 5:26pm

The Cradle Will Rock, Jacques Brel..., Threpenny Opera, Company, Assassins, Chicago, Sweeney Todd, Falsettos, Man of La Mancha, Zorba

Really, most great musicals don't need big sets and costumes, they can stand only on their book, music and lyrics.

Good luck!

#25

Small Musicals w Minimal Sets

Posted: 4/28/17 at 9:28am

Working

Sweet Charity

Merrily We Roll Along

But really you can do many musicals with minimal sets. The only thing you cannot do is a musical that is set specific (i.e. Sunday in The Park or Phantom) but not many musicals have that. What I think may be more challenging is getting the right balance of talent if you are at a school that does not focus on musical theatre. I would then pick a show depending on that. Best of luck!

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