[Leslie]

We're trying to come up with a good musical to do with a relatively large cast (in other words, shows like Company, Songs for a New World, etc. are out). Most of the cast will be male, but we have a relatively big female casting pool as well. Problem is we also don't want to repeat ourselves. That means the following shows are out:

Grease
West Side Story
Joseph
All Shook Up
South Pacific
Brigadoon
The Music Man
Anything Goes
Seussical
Aida
Little Shop

And sadly that's not everything...

Any ideas? Many thanks in advance for any advice y'all can give.

P.S. We have mostly singing/acting players, but most can at least do a two-step.

[Nettik]

Look into "Just So" if you have strong tenors. It's a large cast with many roles to choose from and pretty good music too. It's also pretty much unknown, which is a shame.

[Apples2for10]

Ignore.

[what_the_heck013]

^No, the list was shows they've already done.

What type of show are you looking for? Something that will sell seats? Are there any actors that have been in previous shows that you might want to showcase in this production?

[Leslie]

Thank you so much, all who have responded so far!

Nettik - I will most definitely do that, thank you! I like the idea of doing something not yet well known.

what_the_heck013 - Good questions. I think of course ideally we would like to do something familiar to people, but we're open to new and less well known stuff as well. I do think this year we're probably going for something upbeat (or at least something that's not too depressing), as far as tone. We do have one incredible triple-threat tenor (his forte is acting), and a handful of excellent character actors/singers. All in all, we have access to a pretty talented group of kids. They could definitely take on something a bit more challenging.

[ilovebway]

Bye Bye Birdie?

[kiwitechgirl]

Guys and Dolls springs to mind immediately. Or, if you're really game, how about The Producers?

[what_the_heck013]

I think the biggest selling show I have been involved with recently is Beauty and the Beast. It may not sound very challenging, and in all honesty, the material is not. But it's a really fun challenge for the costumer and other designers. And it's such a fun show to put on. And the audiences LOVE it!

[Leslie]

Thank you all so much - these are great suggestions! I'm passing them on to the appropriate people.

If anyone else still wants to chime in, please feel free! The more ideas the better.

[Sweeney Hyde]

So there are literally hundreds if not thousands that fit what you need... some that come to mind:

The Scarlet Pimpernel
Jesus Christ Superstar
Sweeney Todd
1776
My Fair Lady
Camelot
Oklahoma!
Carousel
Merrily We Roll Along
Cabaret
On a Clear Day You Can See Forever
Big River
Li'l Abner
Tommy
ETC.

[LaurelDP]

Urinetown?

[what_the_heck013]

Another idea: How to Succeed in Business

[Brigantine]

^^ I second that one. Great show for guys and gals.

How about The Secret Garden, or (see signature ) Jane Eyre? Jane Eyre doesn't fit your 'upbeat' requirement exactly, but can have a large cast if you want it to (or a lot of roles doubled if you don't) and might be a good feature for your tenor (Rochester has a wide range). although it may not be 'upbeat', it has funny moments and the ending is quite uplifting.

[Leslie]

*big hug* Thank you so much, all.

I would *love* to do Tommy but I'm not sure the musical director is on board for that one. I am doing my best to convince him. At any rate, I am sending all of these suggestions along, as I said before, and will continue to do so until he tells me to shut up already, and that he's finally picked one. ^_^

Again, MANY thanks!

[abcDEE.]

A chorus line
Sweeney todd
Moulin rouge
Rocky Horror
Jesus christ superstar
fiddler on the roof
Fame...
Into the woods.
i apologise if none of these helped what so ever lol

[timmyjb]

I also suggest How to Succeed! Big Cast. Awesome guy roles. The lead roel sounds perfect for your triple threat tenor: the acting is oh so important.

The other show that came to my mind immediately is DAMN YANKEES!

[ActingDude17]

[abcDEE.]

Oh well in that case maybe not ''/ LOL ..

[windscreen]

If you are in the USA I'll let you do this royalty free...

www.asongforeurope.co.uk

Dramatic, inteligent, 30 songs, big chorus numbers...

[Leslie]

Thank you so much for the offer - and thanks again to everyone for all your input! However, the musical director has finally chosen: Beauty and the Beast