[tortallcit]

So we just wrapped up a production of Oklahoma that was the most amazing thing our high school has ever done, and now we're looking for a show to do next year. The problem is that everybody is graduating that was a musical lead... So I wanted to see if any shows would match these people:

1 good tenor male
1 good bass male
1 decent baritone that is an amazing actor

1 good, but really little soprano
1 decent soprano
2 decent altos

I wanted to do Grease, but none of the males are really.... right for the part of Danny.

We get choruses of about 20 to 30, and we've done Oklahoma, Cinderella, and Once upon a Mattress in the past.

It should be noted that the orchestra had trouble handling Oklahoma, and anything much more advanced would not turn out... well....

[rcs]

Guys and Dolls?

[le_moofin]

Some suggestions:

-Annie (talented soprano as Annie, obviously)
-The Fantasticks (although it calls for another tenor)
-Pippin (see above)

I definitely agree with Guys and Dolls =D That's actually probably your best bet.

[Brigantine]

Fiddler on the Roof? (the decent bari that is an amazing actor as Tevye?)
None of the female parts are very high or very low. the little girl could be Chava.
I guess it depends on the strength of people who are normally 'ensemble'.

[DaddyDiesel]

[scottorr]

Actually what came to mind for this was Urinetown. Look into it, you might be able to fill the parts pretty well.

[Kiwi]

Mmm...unless a decent alto is enough to pull off "It's a Privilege to Pee" i doubt Urinetown will fly

[dramababy500]

I thnk it's kind of silly to pick a show based on what you already have... you never know what might walk through the door at auditions!

[Kiwi]

yes, but at the same time you can't count on the new talent completely, you have to have some form of security that you can fill the roles and fill them with someone good enough.

[dramababy500]

Yes, but if new talent walks in, wouldn't you be filled with the regret that you could have done something greater? I know I would.

[Kiwi]

Yes, but if you choose a show in hopes of new talent walking in and it doesn't, you're left in a much bigger stew than if you have a show in mind and new talent comes in so you just have to move a few of the people around that you were originally picturing.

[dramababy500]

Well, that's the same as the talent you feel you can count on deciding not to audition... so really it's six of one, half a dozen of another.

Example: In high school, my director always counted on me auditioning for shows for dance roles. My senior year she decided to directed a show and assumed that I was going to dance so she didnt consider me for any other role. The next show she directed, again, she assumed that I would dance. She decided on a show that had a feature dancer to "showcase my talent" (which all came out in an arguement we had the week after auditions) and I didn't show up at auditions. She assumed I would audition and therefore screwed herself (or as she thinks "I ruined her production" by not auditioning).

I just think you should decide on a show based on the average talent that generally walks through the door... without saying "I have a lovely soprano and I need to find a show that I can feature her in". No one likes precasting... and as much as you try to hide that you're doing it, it all comes out in the wash.

[Kiwi]

Good point, I didn't think of the people you have not auditioning.

I'm no fan of precasting either, though I admit some of the things I said would point to me promoting it, but what I was trying to say was when you pick a show you can't set your hopes too high for new talent walking in and being able to fill these roles with really difficult numbers or dance parts and suchlike. You do need to get a feel of what you could pull off without the help of new talent that may or may not exist. And directors will often, no matter what show they do, play out in their mind who could fit what, just like when actors are auditioning for shows at school or somewhere where they know the general talent they often think of who might get who (or at least I do, but I do that for fun all the time...don't judge me)

Obviously, any show you pick will always be a bit of a gamble.

[dramababy500]

I think a good director can choose to show they're passionate about because they know they can pull it off as a director... with whatever talent walks through the auditioning door. I great director will always have new talent showing up for auditions. No matter where you go, word gets around within the thespian circles when there's a good director in town and everyone will want to work with that person (if they're serious about the theater arts).

[tortallcit]

We're talking about a high school production... not a summer festival, or even a community theater. As for precasting... honestly I believe that you can keep people in mind, but if another person unexpectedly walks through the door and knocks your socks off, you can cast them instead. To me it would seem much better to have a cast with enormous talent, maybe a bit too much for chorus in that particular show, than to pick a giant, hard to pull off show, and not get the talent you need. As long as the actors themselves don't assume that they're pre cast, and get over confident, it's more essential to pick your musicals with the talent in mind. (and for the record, my director told me yesterday that we're probably doing "Annie get your Gun."

[Kiwi]

^Precisely.

[pianoman55]

Beauty and the Beast sounds like a good fit. the score is pretty simple.. it's a show EVERYONE loves and knows.. you'll attract a big family audience type. And it sounds like you have just the cast for it.