Student Directed Musical

[FinnFanatic]

Posted: 7/13/04 at 9:47am

I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions for a good musical for a student director. I will be a senior at Stonehill College, outside Boston, MA. Our theatre department is small yet very prestigous. We are repeatedly chosen to perform at our region's American College Theatre Festival each year. The head of the department, Dr. Patricia Sankus, is one of the main directors for the Chamber Theatre (in Cambridge, MA), and also does a LOT of casting in NYC. I'm not sure if anyone has ever worked with/me her. She's an intersting character....but EXTREMELY talented (actorially AND directorially).

She asked me to direct a show this coming year. Our department does not do many musicals, and I really want to direct one. With such a small department, and me being a beginning director, I want to direct a SMALL musical. Does anyone have any suggestions of shows to look into? Right now, my number one choice is "John and Jen". I love the show and I've always wanted to direct it. It will also work great in the space and with the resources I will have. I'm just not sure if the department will fork over the money to obtain the rights from MTI. Would a small show like that cost the same as larger shows (I've rented "Merrily" and "Once On This Island" from them, both pretty pricey). Thanks!

[judy_in_disguise]

Posted: 7/13/04 at 9:50am

Lucky Stiff by Ahrens and Flaherty. 'Tis good stuff.
Also,
John and Jen.
Songs for a New World.

All small-scale but GOOD.

[FinnFanatic]

Posted: 7/13/04 at 9:53am

Thanks, I love them all! I'll add them to my list of possibilities. SFANW may be a bit TOO musically challenging (with the insane harmonies, etc.), but it's still a good possibility.

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 7/13/04 at 10:14am

Finn, SHUT UP. I GREW UP in the town that houses Stonehill College!!

[FinnFanatic]

Posted: 7/13/04 at 10:18am

Good old Easton, MA?

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 7/13/04 at 10:23am

That's correct!! The town no one has ever heard of. I hate when people ask where I'm from - I say Mass., then they always say, oh! where?! And then of course you mention Easton, and they glaze over. And you have to go, you know, Brockton, Sharon, Bridgewater...then they perk up. Sigh.

[FinnFanatic]

Posted: 7/13/04 at 10:25am

Haha, yes I know what you mean. When people ask me where Stonehill is I say "near Boston", just to make it easy. I'm from Reading, MA, which sort of causes the same problem. Oh well. Someday I'll be in NYC hopefully...(not doing anything theatre-related, I just really want to live there).

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 7/13/04 at 10:26am

Yes, I sometimes just say "south of Boston."

Posted: 7/13/04 at 10:45am

I grew up in Boston and Brockton before moving to RI, I know EXACTLY where Easton is!

PS, Finn, have you considered directing part of the Marvin trilogy?

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 7/13/04 at 10:47am

OMG. Brockton - where most of my relatives live/lived.

[robbiej]

Posted: 7/13/04 at 10:51am

I did a musical in NYC about 7 years ago called FAIRY TALES. It's more of a revue that morphs into a song cycle and it's heavily gay/lesbian. It's fun, w/ some great songs...though it could be a bit outdated at this point. But I think it would be cheap. The composer's name is Eric Lane Barnes and I'm sure you could find him by googling him. For reference, there's a cast album from the Boston production, probably available at Footlight Records.

There's also THE LAST FIVE YEARS, BED AND SOFA, THREE GUYS NAKED FROM THE WAIST DOWN, TELL ME ON A SUNDAY, CLOSER THAN EVER, AND THE WORLD GOES ROUND. There are actually LOTS that would work for you!

[FinnFanatic]

Posted: 7/13/04 at 11:27am

Thanks everyone! I've definitely considered part of the Marvin trilogy, but I go to a Catholic school....soo....I'm not sure A) that the school would even APPROVE it and B) The type of audience that will be present would probably not enjoy it (I know, I'm irritated to no end as well!) So I don't think that would be a possibility. I'll try to get more info on the others that were suggested! What does everone think about John and Jen as a possibility?

[dididda]

Posted: 7/13/04 at 11:30am

haha, finn, we're neighbors, i live in a ton next to reading!! woowoo!! MA pride!!! lol

[FinnFanatic]

Posted: 7/13/04 at 11:34am

Haha, wow.....it's funny how I've learned so much about others that has NOTHING to do with the post. But it's exciting!

P.S. Come see "Once On This Island" in August directed by yours truly:) It'll be in the Reading area.

[sean martin]

Posted: 7/13/04 at 11:40am

OLYMPUS ON MY MIND. It's a deranged little farce that's small cast, easy to stage, very family friendly.

[judy_in_disguise]

Posted: 7/13/04 at 11:47am

oh oh!
If you can stand Rogers and Hammerstein, then A Grand Night for Singing is great. It's a revue show.
So is Red, Hot and Cole. Also very good.
I'd also reccomend Working (even though Schwartz was involved- haha).
I'm sure I'll have more ideas as the day goes on.
Leader of the Pack would be good too.

[robbiej]

Posted: 7/13/04 at 11:49am

'If you can stand Rogers and Hammerstein...'

I don't understand this sentence. I will never, ever begin to understand how people can't stand Rogers and Hammerstein.

GRAND NIGHT FOR SINGING is a terrific suggestion.

[FinnFanatic]

Posted: 7/13/04 at 11:53am

'Working' was actually the first show I was ever in, 10 years ago! It was......interesting. It was a horrible production so I kind of have a negative vibe for the show, but I bought the recording when it came out a few years ago. I enjoy most of it. I'm not sure I'd like to direct it though.

If I were to do an R&H show, it would DEF by Grand Night for Singing. 1) Because of the small cast size, 2) Because it showcases all of their best music (I am not the biggest R&H fan, but I highly respect what they have done for musical theatre).

[Broadwayboobs]

Posted: 7/13/04 at 11:53am

Catholic school..small production..have you considered Godspell??? It's fun to take the script and during rehearsals you and the entire cast play around with new ideas to add to the show. It is so much fun and you don't need a lot of space or sets.

[FinnFanatic]

Posted: 7/13/04 at 11:59am

The "Musical Theatre Club" (pitiful excuse for anything theatrical) attempted Godspell last year. I saw it. Twice (the second time I watched from the lighting booth for free....they beg the Stonehill Theatre Company to help them every semester). I almost went up on-stage myself and filled in for some of the "actors" who had forgotten lines or who were screwing up harmonies (I had just finished the show with another group a few months earlier). I don't think the school is ready for that show again yet. But thanks for the suggestion! It is a great show that would work with what I'm trying to do.

[FinnFanatic]

Posted: 7/13/04 at 12:08pm

Just as a thought--Are there any straight shows people would recommend?

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 7/13/04 at 12:09pm

I Do! I Do! is a charming piece and a real challenge for the actors and director.

[hortonhearsasam]

Posted: 7/13/04 at 2:20pm

Last year at my school we did Triumph Of Love, a 7-person show that's really fun. Susan Egan, Roger Bart, Betty Buckley and Christopher Seiber were some of the cast members when it was on Broadway in 1997. The score is terrific and the book isn't bad.

[judy_in_disguise]

Posted: 7/13/04 at 2:22pm

I adore R&H, but I know a lot of people do not.

Return to the Forbidden Planet is a fun one. Not brilliant, but fun.

[Broadwayboobs]

Posted: 7/13/04 at 2:28pm

How about...Joseph and His Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Not a very long show either.