help for a director in need of inspiration

[aja]

Hi all. So I need some friendly suggestions. I am a theatre teacher at an Arts High School and am looking to direct a musical next fall in our black box theatre. I am looking for something small (or that can be done on smaller scale) that has a good sense of humor. Also, ideally could sound good with a 3 or 4 piece orchestra. I have previously directed Urinetown and The Apple Tree in the space, but I'm just not getting any brilliant ideas for this year. I figured there'd be enough experts on this board to help suggest things. I know my specs are very broad, but any suggestions will help. I just want to get my brain ticking. Thanks!

[Kristie-K2]

You're a Good Man Charlie Brown...I did it...Easy musical if you get the right actors

[Johnnycantdecide]

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee sounds perfect for what you want!

[TheatreDiva90016]

Or SNOOPY!

[Gothampc]

Nunsense

The Fantastiks

[inlovewithjerryherman]

I would recommend "What About Luv?", "I Love You Because", (both are a little adult for high-schoolers, but c'est la vie) or the two-piano arrangement of "My Fair Lady" . If your kids play instruments, "Pump Boys and Dinettes" is also a charmer.

Don't be afraid to take a big musical and scale it down yourself. Theo Ubique, a theatre in Chicago, is known for taking huge musicals and scaling them down. Many major musicals have two-piano arrangements, including a lot of the big R&H shows.

[Musicaldudepeter]

Songs for a New World....

This is a great opportunity to really take any show, and water it down to just having the bare minimum on stage - great artistic opportunity

Sweeney Todd (it's been done with only several people)
Into the Woods (you could double up wherever you can, etc.)
Candide (if they have the vocal chops)
Sunset Boulevard (small principal cast)
Cabaret (small principal cast... can also be doubled up)

All of those shows' orchestrations can be tightened too, provided you have a good MD

Explore and enjoy

[gabrieljwickedone]

I DO! I DO! is for two people.

CHICAGO can be done very minimal.

SWEENEY TODD can be done super small (think 2005 revival)

MTI has titles that are specifically for in concert format, they are FOLLIES, GUYS & DOLLS, LET EM EAT CAKE, A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC, THE MUSIC MAN, OF THEE I SING, and STRIKE UP THE BAND

[xxdrewboy85xx]

Bat Boy: The Musical

Agree about the 2 piano version of My Fair Lady and YAGMCB

The Hypocrites in Chicago recently did Pirate of Penzance with like 8-10 actors also playing instruments.

Assassins
Sweeney Todd
Godspell
Little Shop of Horrors

[tamra2]

it would exclude females sadly but altar boyz is terrific!

[dreaming]

I vote for Cabaret or Chicago. You do need very strong dancers, particularly for Chicago.

Other possibilities are You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown, and Sweeney Todd. (Sweeney is a very good choice, too.)

[ChildrenwillListen]

Godspell does not need a huge cast. Or I agree with Songs for a New World. That show needs more attention

[ggersten]

They're Playing Our Song
Stop The World
Jacques Brel
Side by Side by Sondheim
Ain't Misbehavin
Spelling Bee would be pretty perfect

Crazy Idea: Do a "big" musical, but cut the big dance numbers and have an actor say "Here's where there would be a big dance number, but, well, you know, look around" and then go on.

[ChildrenwillListen]

Or Tick Tick BOOM! That's another one that needs more attention

[AwesomeDanny]

You could, theoretically, take any show you want and put it in a minimalist black-box staging. The result is that the focus will go straight to the story, and the typically big, showy dance numbers won't be able to hind any flaws. So, take a show that you love, and remove the big sets, flashing lights, etc., and focus on the storytelling. If done well and a show is chosen based on its material (and it suits the actors you have, which is probably the biggest thing to consider) the show will hopefully look better in an intimate theatre. Just last week, I saw a brilliant production of Pippin in a 90 seat theatre, and it was much more thrilling than the DVD of that huge concert version. In short, if you treat the show appropriately, you can do almost anything. Don't limit yourself to only what has already been done on such a small scale.

[goldenboy]

Your Own Thing
a nostaglic look at the 60's and the student's learn Shakepeare's 12th Night at the same time! Great musical that is never done.

or Ruthless.. the stage mother of all musicals .. the camp may go over the kids head. but its so much fun

[Dollypop]

Naked Boys Singing!