if you know a lot about musicals...- Page 2
if you know a lot about musicals...
vmlinnie
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/19/06
#25re: if you know a lot about musicals...
Posted: 2/23/07 at 10:59am
I had a chance to see SEUSSICAL last year and couldn't go because of a school event. I really regret it now, because I have fallen in Love with the CD over the past week. It may seem childish, but it's not really that bad, it's a lot of fun.
THE WIZ, well, I have seen this with a white cast, and it was quite good, but I didn't think it was a great show, whether it with a white, black or purple cast. Not very complex, either.
HELLO, DOLLY! is a brillinat show, not the greatest musical of all time, but a lot of fun. 'Put on your Sunday Clothes', 'I Put My Hand In', and, of course, the title number, are great for big choruses and especially dance. It can be expensive due to the need for period costumes etc, and there is a big opportunity for a good set, especially for the 'Harmonia Gardens' restaurant. The story isn't very complex, there are a number of different couples, but the entire action takes place over the space of a day or two, so it's not ideal if you want something complex. Good show though.
FIDDLER. Well, well, well, where to start? The story is complex enough, the show has plenty of chorus numbers (the wedding and bottle dance, tradition, sabbath prayer, etc.). There is room for imagination with the set, and costumes can mostly be made at home with rags if you're stuck! The music is very 'different', but there are mnay beautiful tunes. Some see the show as being quite depressing, but it's not. It is emotional, heartbreaking at the end, but it also has many nice comic moments, such as Tevye's ongoing saga about his mule, and his 'dream' of his gradmother (is it?) Sarah (Golda: How did she look? Tevye: For a woman who's been dead X years she looked pretty good!). It's a show you can love or hate, but it's not too hard on the budget and it's a memorable evening for the audience.
May I suggest you look at the Josef Weinberger website? They have information about all the musicals they licence.
Good Luck!
The rain we knew is a thing of the past -
deep-delving, dark, deliberate you would say
browsing on spire and bogland; but today
our sky-blue slates are steaming in the sun,
our yachts tinkling and dancing in the bay
like racehorses. We contemplate at last
shining windows, a future forbidden to no one.
Derek Mahon
"Maybe all one can do is hope to end up with the right regrets."
Arthur Miller
deep-delving, dark, deliberate you would say
browsing on spire and bogland; but today
our sky-blue slates are steaming in the sun,
our yachts tinkling and dancing in the bay
like racehorses. We contemplate at last
shining windows, a future forbidden to no one.
Derek Mahon
"Maybe all one can do is hope to end up with the right regrets."
Arthur Miller
#26re: if you know a lot about musicals...
Posted: 2/23/07 at 11:25amLes Miserables fits everything you listed.
#27re: if you know a lot about musicals...
Posted: 2/23/07 at 12:16pmI'm just thinking of shows I did when I was in high school, because we had huge ensembles....Camelot, Anything Goes, Kiss Me Kate, My Fair Lady.
"It's the smile you smile that counts, happy thoughts in large amounts, any problem you can trounce, you can bounce right back."--Donald O'Connor
#28re: if you know a lot about musicals...
Posted: 2/23/07 at 12:17pmCheck out Li'l Abner. LOTS of characters, plenty of ensemble numbers. A really fun show, also.
"Singing is the lowest form of communication" - Homer
#29re: if you know a lot about musicals...
Posted: 2/23/07 at 12:22pmSoM, but there isn't alot of stage time for the ensemble...plus its boring and overdone.
"talent is wanting something hard enough to work for it" - my drama teacher :)
#30re: if you know a lot about musicals...
Posted: 2/23/07 at 12:34pm
Honk has a lot of different characters and an ensemble that can expand to be as large as you want.I've also seen godspell with a cast of 40-something, just split up the lines a bit. Beauty and the beast is also a great one, but ensemble isn't on stage as much...
I agree with seussical, i really want to be in that show, there are soooo many parts
#31re: if you know a lot about musicals...
Posted: 2/23/07 at 12:47pmLES MIZ
"TO LOVE ANOTHER PERSON IS TO SEE THE FACE OF GOD"- LES MISERABLES---
"THERE'S A SPECIAL KIND OF PEOPLE KNOWN AS SHOW PEOPLE... WE'RE BORN EVERY NIGHT AT HALF HOUR CALL!"--- CURTAINS
circusliz
Broadway Star Joined: 11/19/05
#32re: if you know a lot about musicals...
Posted: 2/23/07 at 12:51pm
Tommy
Once Upon a Mattress
Pippin
Damn Yankees
Wizard of Oz
Joseph....Dreamcoat
Les Miserables (although I don't think the rights are currently available)
Leader of the Pack
Also, I have seen Once on This Island done with color blind casting (at a performing arts summer camp) and it worked fine. But that may be only because it was done by kids 10-16. If you're looking for a show for community theater, then Island probably isn't a good choice. But I think for high school age & younger non-race specific casting can work fine. I know not everyone here will agree, but that's just my opinion.
On the road of life, do not pause for suicidal chipmunks who freeze in your headlights, seeking death by your tires...
Updated On: 2/23/07 at 12:51 PM
#33re: if you know a lot about musicals...
Posted: 2/23/07 at 4:05pmWell if you're looking for multiple story lines, INTO THE WOODS. It's an ensemble show though...
Thesbijean
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/9/04
wickedrentq
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/6/04
#35re: if you know a lot about musicals...
Posted: 2/23/07 at 5:45pm
Someone mentioned Music Man...I didn't find that there was especially a lot of time for the ensemble to be on stage.
Les Miz is one that meets all criteria for certain.
Guys & Dolls could possibly work, though I'm not sure if...actually it could fit an ensemble of 50, and there would be lots of ensemble time but not for the entire ensemble...like there's some songs for Adelaide's girls and a lot of scenes for the "guys."
But for one that can have a huge cast and a lot of ensemble, how about The Wizard of Oz?
"If there was a Mount Rushmore for Broadway scores, "West Side Story" would be front and center. It snaps, it crackles it pops! It surges with a roar, its energy and sheer life undiminished by the years" - NYPost reviewer Elisabeth Vincentelli
fairygodmother
Featured Actor Joined: 4/30/06
#36re: if you know a lot about musicals...
Posted: 2/23/07 at 6:26pm
I disagree about the Wiz not working if you don't have an all black cast - if you have soulful voices, great harmonies, a fun feel and lots of energy, it can be a great, entertaining show. my production only had one performer out of 15 who was of african origin - actually south african - and he would have said he was the one with least appropriate feel for the show.
i agree with seussical and honk - not childish but huge amounts of fun. urinetown, children of eded and follies are all personal favourites so i'd second them.
i would also offer sweeney todd if you have the voices, grand hotel and hot mikado.
Featured Actor Joined: 12/31/69
#37re: if you know a lot about musicals...
Posted: 2/23/07 at 6:46pm
The "cubber" part of Anyoen Can Whistle can and is often easliy deleted from the show---it's become a bit troublesome in mdoern productions (although there could be an argument on needing to keep it)
#38re: if you know a lot about musicals...
Posted: 2/23/07 at 10:55pmEvita has a large and involved ensemble. You need your leading lady, but other that that, it showcases the supporting and ensemble players well! Race can be very mixed.
#39re: if you know a lot about musicals...
Posted: 2/23/07 at 11:04pmOklahoma! is quite fun to do. It ca have a large ensemble, and they all have a lot to do. There are also mulitple sory lines, and I guarantee you will sell out for every performance.
I am a firm believer in serendipity- all the random pieces coming together in one wonderful moment, when suddenly you see what their purpose was all along.
theactorsociety
Stand-by Joined: 4/24/05
#40re: if you know a lot about musicals...
Posted: 2/23/07 at 11:20pmIf you are looking for a show, then go to www.mtishows.com and there is a search where you can put in the criteria. Cast Size, vocal challenging-ness, etc.
#41re: if you know a lot about musicals...
Posted: 2/24/07 at 12:19am
THE MOST HAPPY FELLA
- Leading male in his 50s, Two female leads in early 30s, Two males in early 30s, and one female in her 50s plus huge ensemble of neighbours and friends. Only 3 Scenes in Act One, 5 in Act Two and 2 in Act Three. However about 80% of it is sung.
Cast albums are NOT "soundtracks."
Live theatre does not use a "soundtrack." If it did, it wouldn't be live theatre!
I host a weekly one-hour radio program featuring cast album selections as well as songs by cabaret, jazz and theatre artists. The program, FRONT ROW CENTRE is heard Sundays 9 to 10 am and also Saturdays from 8 to 9 am (eastern times) on www.proudfm.com
actingstar08
Chorus Member Joined: 5/4/05
#42re: if you know a lot about musicals...
Posted: 2/24/07 at 1:20amno wiz, wizard of oz, les mis, and no retarded shows either. i'm looking for a good quality, preferably modern show...urinetown is the best suggestion i've heard so far
actingstar08
Chorus Member Joined: 5/4/05
#43re: if you know a lot about musicals...
Posted: 2/24/07 at 2:22amlet's add another requirement: the principles should have at least two leading men and at least one leading lady.
#44re: if you know a lot about musicals...
Posted: 2/24/07 at 5:31amHAHA! Lil' Abner is ABSOLUTLY NOT complex! Please, please no. Updated On: 2/24/07 at 05:31 AM
#45re: if you know a lot about musicals...
Posted: 2/24/07 at 5:34amMan... There have been some good musicals listed thus far. BUT! Everything that you have listed for criteria makes me think Urinetown. Cladwell and Bobby are two nice male roles, and Hope is a nice female role. If you don't have a strong voice for it's a privelage to pee, then you may be in trouble, but I'm sure you can find the voice. The entire show (sans Cladwell and Penny) could be played in a range of ages and I don't believe that race should be an issue. The issues that are played in the show really do reach to some rather adult issues but a younger person would not get them and can still enjoy the show. Like I said, plenty of good ideas, but my vote definitely goes to URINETOWN. I hope you find what you need! Updated On: 2/24/07 at 05:34 AM
sfs1414
Featured Actor Joined: 8/3/04
#47re: if you know a lot about musicals...
Posted: 2/24/07 at 11:56am
What do you mean by "retarded" shows?
And if you do decide to do URINETOWN, you'd better have your own original staging ideas. You don't want the Utown police after you, sending you down that golden frothy river to splatsville .
Cheyenne Jackson tickled me. AFTER ordering SoMMS a drink but NOT tickling him, and hanging out with Girly in his dressing room (where he DIDN'T tickle her) but BEFORE we got married. To others. And then he tweeted Boobs. He also tweeted he's good friends with some chick on "The Voice" who just happens to be good friends with Tink's ex. And I'm still married. Oh, and this just in: "Pettiness, spite, malice ....Such ugly emotions... So sad." - After Eight, talking about MEEEEEEEE!!! I'm so honored! :-)
Updated On: 2/24/07 at 11:56 AM
NickHyper
Understudy Joined: 7/20/05
#48re: if you know a lot about musicals...
Posted: 2/24/07 at 1:07pmSorry, but do you mean fifty-ish as an age thing or a count of how many people you'd like in the show?
stagegrrrl
Leading Actor Joined: 1/22/07
#49re: if you know a lot about musicals...
Posted: 2/24/07 at 2:33pm
i second the suggestion for into the woods.
also ragtime again.
guys and dolls, jesus christ superstar
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