What's The Next High School Musical Classic?- Page 2

[apdarcey]

Posted: 1/21/06 at 1:44am

hairspray would be fine. edna would obviously be turned into a female role. and as long as there is a diverse enough community to find maybelle, seaweed and inez it should be fine.

but millie will probably turn into the high school show to do. and why not. it's fun, good roles, good music. nice and challenging for a high school. and the ability for a big cast.

[musicalsaregreat]

Posted: 1/21/06 at 1:46am

Although not a Broadway hit, I think Seussical may become a classic on the Highschool and Community theatre stage.

[jam_man]

Posted: 1/21/06 at 1:55am

I'm not sure if you can call it a "classic," but last year Seussical was the most done musical among high schools in the country. And maybe...Les Miz? It's fairly common among talented schools (and some not quite so much so) already, and you know more and more kids are going to be asking for it.

BTW, it's our spring show this year. We just casted today - I'm the Bishop (a very crucial plot point!).

[bwaymyway84]

Posted: 1/21/06 at 2:05am

Into the woods has had big success in my area. Beauty and the Beast is big now in community theatre. I think Spelling Bee will be the next big thing. Also shows that do not require big leads, with all memebers rather equal, ie: Spelling Bee, You're a Good Man Charlie Brown, Urinetown, etc.

[futurewinnerbud]

Posted: 1/21/06 at 2:21am

Seussical
Little Women
Honk
Wicked

[kyguy78]

Posted: 1/21/06 at 10:25am

I know a lot of people have mentioned "Hairspray," but I'm putting my vote in for "Beauty and the Beast." My high school just did a production of it and I know several other high schools around the area have done it as well. It's got catchy songs, a family friendly plot, and, most importantly, it's Disney!

My school does a musical revue every spring where the kids (and even teachers) can pick songs of their choosing to perform. Two of our strongest female singers have already announced they want to do "Defying Gravity" or "For Good." I'm already a little scared.

[DG]

Posted: 1/21/06 at 10:30am

When it becomes available, I'm sure AIDA will be done quite a bit.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 1/21/06 at 2:12pm

Spelling Bee will be HUGE with highschools.

[SporkGoddess]

Posted: 1/21/06 at 2:13pm

A local high school did Aida. I've heard it was quite bad...

[zoom]

Posted: 1/21/06 at 2:27pm

The point of this thread should be no what shows will be done, but will be done well.

High schools and Aida? Hmmm..gawd no. Wicked?..shudder to think. At least Les Miz had the good sense to change keys.

Millie will be a high school fav, but over all a boring show. Same for Sussical..a show in search of one plot. But the shows are so unoffensive, they'll fly.

[Musical_nerd]

Posted: 1/21/06 at 2:28pm

Our school did Fiddler while it was on Broadway, and will be doing Peter Pan while it's on tour.

And to stick to the topic- I think Thoroughly Modern Millie would be pretty popular.

We did Seussical over the summer, and it was great.

Posted: 1/21/06 at 2:33pm

DG - the rights to AIDA are out.



I think it really depends on the talent at the school.

Millie
Mamma Mia
fiddler

...probably all could be done.

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 1/21/06 at 4:05pm

Hm...Mammia Mia could work. It doesn't have any uber challenging songs to sing, and I guess they could alter the costumes so all the guys dont have to be walking around in speedos.

I think Millie will be the big one. Maybe, Zombie Prom? LoL. I think THE IT GIRl could be a big one. My school did it last year. It only has a 7 memember cast, but could be expanded as needed.

[Dollypop]

Posted: 1/21/06 at 4:53pm

Which high school boy is going to play Edna Turnblad?

[renthead92]

Posted: 1/21/06 at 4:57pm

*Raises hand* Me, Me!

[renthead92]

Posted: 1/21/06 at 5:10pm

Also, in regards to Aida, there's going to be an Aida: School Edition. A couple of people on these boards are going to be in the world premier.

Posted: 1/21/06 at 6:00pm

my theatre (high school level) did rent a couple years ago-but ONLY because one of the kids in the cast is Julie Larson's son. i don't see how anyone else could get the rights... at my theatre, it was strictly a one time thing. they tell us basically everyday that they could NEVER get the rights again.

[Sumofallthings]

Posted: 1/21/06 at 8:40pm

What about Oklahoma?

[bwayondabrain]

Posted: 1/21/06 at 8:49pm

i like the ideas of hairspray and millie! those would be tons of fun to do!
or how bout aida? my school was gonna do that this year...
and id really like to do spelling bee- that would be great!!!

[Character Actor]

Posted: 1/22/06 at 12:25am

Hell, I would be Edna! It's a fun part!
BUT Nobody has mentioned "All Shook Up."
That would be a PERFECT show for high school!
any thoughts?

[Luckydave14]

Posted: 1/22/06 at 12:41am

Hairspray, Producers, and Rent all deal with issues that I don't think many schools would like to deal with.

Beauty and the Beast is already being done by a lot of schools.
I won't be surprised if in like 10-15 years, your local high school will be doing Wicked. By then, all high schools will probably be able to have the special effects to do it.

[QOM]

Posted: 1/22/06 at 12:20pm

As a long-time high school director, I would have to say Millie and B&B are the only shows that have been discussed here that will turn into big h.s. choices.

I think Hairspray and Producers, and especially Rent, would not be good. Maybe if some school had liberal-thinking parents and administration, but that is usually not the case.

As for spelling bee, I don't see that as a big choice either because the cast is too small. HS productions have to accommodate large groups. Shows with bigger ensembles usually are chosen.

Unfortunately though, I do think schools will try Wicked because of its popularity with the younger generation. I don't think it will be done well in too many places though!

I see Millie working the best.

[renthead92]

Posted: 1/22/06 at 12:29pm

Our high school will never do "Wicked." I mean, we're 3,000 dollers in the hole!

[Link Larkin Wanabe]

Posted: 1/22/06 at 1:16pm

Hairspray,

I have this theory about certain shows like Joseph, Footloose, Grease, that the highschool productions of these particular shows are actually more enjoyable than any professional productions. These are what I call "Pizzaz" Shows, where the high level of energy and raw talent that a high schooler can bring is more important than the technical skil that adults cast in the roles will bring. I think Hairspray fits the mold perfectly. I think this show has so much energy and heart that the material will soar when given to high schoolers. My only doubt is the racial diversity of most schools.

Other ones I think will become staples of high schools:
Aida
Beauty and the Beast
Thoroughly Modern Millie
Little Women
MAYBE Spelling Bee (for those high schools that do Fame without cutting "Can't Keep It Down")

Akiva

[Chitty]

Posted: 1/22/06 at 6:58pm

I think Assassins would be a good choice.

Kids could apply their history classwork to this show.
Updated On: 1/22/06 at 06:58 PM