[Jman383]

Hey guys! Right now at my high school we have a new director (who's extremely seasoned, knows everything about theatre, and is just brilliant), and we're looking for a musical. For our fall play we're doing a Christmas Carol (I'm actually Scrooge), but she wants all kinds of suggestions for our musical. The only trouble is, we don't exactly have the ideal leading man type.

The three (including me) that we have are essentially what's there for lead material, but because none of us exactly meet the criteria of a leading man, it definitely limits our show options. For example, I'm the only triple threat of the three. Neither of the other two can sing strongly or dance, but hold their own well acting. So, what show do we do?

As for females, we have an AMAZING talent pool. We have our leading lady (mix belter), an amazing dancer (who's phenomenal, a little down on acting, but has a great untrained belt), a great character actress, two other untrained belters that are great, some legit sopranos, and probably some fighting underclassmen too (that might surprise us). So, with that said, any ideas for shows?

The criteria for the show has to be something with an ensemble, something not too commonly done and a good size of female roles. If the ensemble didn't matter we'd be doing Into the Woods hands down, no questions asked, but the director really wants to put an ensemble in (just a thing she does for high schools). So any ideas?

Mine have been:

The Pajama Game
Anything Goes
Urinetown

So, any ideas? Thanks guys for any help! I appreciate it!

P.S. We'd do shows like Fiddler, but every other high school already does it, so that's a no.

P.P.S. If you guys wanna see any pictures or anything of the people I mentioned, including myself (if my avatar isn't enough), just ask. Thanks again!

[JIJane]

[Jman383]

Thanks for all the help! I actually had some other ideas like Seussical (but also way overdone), and The Secret Garden (just not right for what we have I guess). But as for the shows you suggested, a lot of them would definitely work, and I'll most definitely suggest them to my director, but I still think my favorite is The Pajama Game. We'll see though! Anyone else with some ideas?

[Brigantine]

Well... I'm not sure how big an ensemble you want, but I really love the show "She Loves Me". The male lead, Georg, is a baritone, there is another guy who is a tenor, and a few others who sing a little bit but I guess are mostly bari-tenors. Two lead females, a legit soprano and a mezzo-belt. There is a chorus of shoppers, two or three scenes where they should be a crowd of people, but depending on the size of your stage it could be a large crowd. It isn't really a chorus-heavy show, but there would be chorus times and parts in it, if that makes sense. Based on the same play that inspired "You've Got Mail", so similar storyline. The 1993 revival cast added a small dnance sequence to the middle of the show, but other than that and one small waltz, there is not much dance.

also, what about My Fair Lady? too overdone?

[Robinflamingo]

Canterbury Tales needs more than three leading men. You need two young men, the host, Chaucer, and two older men, at the very least.

[Jman383]

Thanks for the suggestions. I talked with my director and here are her current options:

Brigadoon
Sound of Music
Finnian's Rainbow
Babes in Arms
Mame

I guess dancier shows are now out because we might not have a legit choreographer? Ugh, I just want to do Anything Goes right now, but whatever happens happens for a reason I guess. But still, I'd LOVE more suggestions!

[Jman383]

It's official... we're doing Babes in Arms.

[Bookworm]

I hate to reply late,
but after Babes in Arms, may I suggest Beauty & The Beast? Yes, I know it's sappy, but there are only two male leads, really, that sing (not speak-sing).

[TylerMcMahon]

The Pajama Game would be so much better then Babes in Arms (blech)

[windscreen]

A song for Europe has ensemble numbers and is basically reliant on three good female singers. It is also royalty free until October 2008. Unfortuneately, the video is not available until March 2008.

www.asongforeurope.co.uk

[rcs]