The evolution of the 'high school musical'

[CapnHook]

Posted: 11/20/09 at 12:16am

Sure, the school talent show has been around for ages. But when did high schools begin doing full-out productions of stage musicals? Back in the '60s after Broadway debuted such shows as BYE BYE BIRDIE, FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, OKLAHOMA, etc. - how soon after did they make their way to school auditoriums? When did licensing begin to high schools? When did companies begin marketing shows to schools?

The questions are posed and I am hoping SOMEONE here has information on this! Are there any books or articles??

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 11/20/09 at 12:40am

Before they were doing things like OKLAHOMA, high schools in the 30s and 40s were doing Gilbert and Sullivan and operettas.

You might try contacting Tams Witmark or RNH to see if they have any record as to when these early musicals first began being licensed. My guess is that the first Broadway musicals to see high school productions might have been things like FINIANS RAINBOW and BRIGADOON. The touring company for OKLAHOMA played for almost a decade.

[beagle]

Posted: 11/20/09 at 2:29am

My mother's high school yearbook from 1962 has pictures from their production of CAROUSEL.
Updated On: 11/20/09 at 02:29 AM

[Unknown User]

Posted: 11/20/09 at 7:12am

My mom did Lil' Abner in 61 in her grade 11 class--and from the pics and program it seems to be all kosher.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 11/20/09 at 3:56pm

As a second grader, I was in a production of Birdie (jr. high) back in 1970...I have no idea if we were among the first or not...but do know it wasnt' the first full fledged show we did.

[bwaylvsong]

Posted: 11/20/09 at 5:55pm

My Grandpa played Frederick in his HS production of Pirates of Penzance in 1939, 70 years ago! It's obviously a new practice

[romgitsean]

Posted: 12/2/09 at 7:19pm

This is a really curious question. I have often wondered this as well. How were rights handled back then? Was it still the companies like MTI and Sam French that had owned to them? And how would one get the information on how to write to these companies?

[dramamama611]

Posted: 12/2/09 at 7:50pm

yes...it's easy to find out who holds the rights. Start with MTI...they seem to hold the most. I'm sure google would be a great help.

You can do many apps on line.