This means that when you order something through an affiliate link, we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Small cast musicals are also a great option for COVID-era streaming productions or experimental college theater. The students are in the thick of it they have a unique and visceral understanding of the characters problems and intense emotions. The Rink by Terrence McNally, John Kander & Fred Ebb (US/UK)(Dramatic Comedy / 3f, 5m +Ensemble)Chita Rivera and Liza Minnelli starred in the original Broadway run of this innovative musical set in Coney Island, New York. You can't just have your characters announce how they feel! Continue with Recommended Cookies. Not sure if I missed it, but how did you come up with the BAD and GOOD lists? Audition Songs Wonderful Town by Joseph Fields, Jerome Chodorov, Ruth McKenney, Leonard Bernstein, Betty Comden and Adolph Green (US)(Full Length Musical, Comedy / 2f, 4m)In the summer of 1935, Ruth, an aspiring writer, and Eileen, an actress and dancer, leave rural Ohio to seek success in the big city. And when you need to sell tickets, its sure to be a hit. The new wife, Ruth, cant see the ghost wife, and chaos ensues. Watch videos and learn about plot, characters, context, songs. If you need a show that will sail through the approval process even in the most conservative of communities this is it. Cast size, 8. Displaying guides for 2,350 theatre shows including musicals, plays, operettas and operas. If your drama department is packed with stars, Mamma Mia! Everybody's very much an ensemble member because they're on stage the whole time." Female Casts. 63 Best Musicals for High School: The Ultimate List, Rodgers and Hammerstein Musicals (and the Stories Behind Them), How to Build an Actor Website: A Complete Guide. With emotionally revealing songs and realistically conflicted characters, The Life features a host of great female characters. The musical tells the stories of these three remarkable sisters set against the First World War and other great events of the time. (Theres something about a nun costume that makes a chorus role more fun.) Set in the Bronx in 1960, A Bronx Tale tells the story of a young boy with mob-boss ambitions and a father whos fighting to keep his son away from organized crime. Listen to the full soundtrack on YouTube. This ridiculous, laugh-out-loud funny farce deals with dark themes in a lighthearted way, always with great self-awareness. Beheaded. Plus, the cast has a large number of roles, so you can show off more of your talented performers. Little Shop of Horrors delivers, big time. Home Theater Musicals and Plays 63 Best Musicals for High School: The Ultimate List. The musical, which has an all-female cast, is based on the play The House of Bernarda Alba. The story unravels in a series of vignettes, each showing the perspective of a different type of worker. When youre looking for obscure or lesser-known musicals for your high school drama program, these shows are a good place to start. I'm going to the licensing companies' websites but am still going to post a request for suggestions here on BWW, of course. Its Possible! This Broadway adaptation of the classic musical features new characters, a hilarious libretto, surprising twists, and an unforgettable score from Rodgers & Hammerstein. Divorced. Youll need an exceptionally strong mezzo soprano or soprano and tenor who can both sing, act, and command an audience on their own. The first time you heard the audience applaud or laugh and thought, Oh, Im home? Next to Normal is the story of Diana Goodman and her family. This show, which debuted on Broadway in 1959, is based on The Princess and the Pea. The princess in question is anything but a damsel in distress Winnifred the Woebegone can take care of herself. If I could direct a short musical, I'd pick this one. Of course, if youre a drama teacher or director, you know its never that simple! Based on the beloved novels by Lucy Maud Montgomery, the story follows the young orphan, Anne Shirley, as she navigates her new life with her adoptive family and friends. If youve ever read Nol Cowards play Blithe Spirit, you already know the plot of High Spirits its the musical version of the play. Beheaded. 42nd Street by Harry Warren, Al Dubin, Michael Stewart & Mark Bramble (US/UK)(Comedy / 7f, 6m +Ensemble) In the ultimate show-biz musical, leading lady Dorothy Brock literally shares the spotlight when she allows youngster Peggy Sawyer to take her role in a glitzy Broadway hit called Pretty Lady. She has a TESOL drama certificate, a BA in theatre, and has worked and interned with Broadway and Off-Broadway theaters. Together and individually, they pursue their dreams, overcome heartbreak, encounter a motley assortment of colourful characters, and - ultimately - find love. 4 women, 3 men . In honor of International Womens Day this year, I decided to put together a list of musicals with female leads. Little Women the Musical (6 females and 4 males) 311. If you conceive it correctly, you can do most any musical (not all) with a small cast. I've seen "Bat Boy" done with like 11 people or so "Your lyrics lack subtlety! | Image: First Date . Thats where youll find musicals sorted by composer, theme, setting, and more! ), Cher Biopic and more. The story of "Phantom of the Opera's" meteoric rise and bittersweet closing. Jason Robert Browns legendary music shines in this emotional show, which follows a couple through a relationship. ), One challenge that high school theater directors face is finding musicals with plenty of roles. Produced by Sydney Harper and Eric Krupke. Cast each one separately to include more performers, or use the same cast to stretch your actors abilities. Multiverse: 25th Anniversary Performance, Third Film, New Tour, Limited Bway Run in 2025(? War Paint by Doug Wright, Michael Korie & Scott Frankel (US/UK)(Drama / 10f, 5m)Helena Rubinstein and Elizabeth Arden defined beauty standards for the first half of the 20th century. Its easy to see why the characters are quirky, the music is fun, and the sets are delightfully dark. Mame by Jerome Lawrence, Robert E. Lee, Jerry Herman and Patrick Dennis (US/UK)(Full Length Musical, Comedy / 6f, 6m)When the ebullient and convivial socialite Mame Dennis suddenly becomes responsible for the upbringing of her nephew Patrick, the wealthy sophisticate embraces the challenge, introducing the boy to all of life's wonders. This is harder than it sounds, since many modern shows deal with dark, adult themes; you need to do a bit of extra research to find a school-appropriate musical. (If youve ever directed or produced a big show, you know how much money, time, and effort they require.) From the creators of Little Shop of Horrors and A Chorus Line, Smile follows the intrigue and exploits both onstage and off at the fictional Young American Miss Pageant in Santa Rosa, California. You can do it with a piano and a few chairs, if youre on a budget. Read expert guides about theatre shows including musicals, plays and operas. Music:Andrew Lloyd WebberLyrics:Don Black, Richard Maltby Jr. Music:Andrew Lloyd WebberLyrics:Don Black, The Marvelous Wonderettes: Caps and Gowns, Musical Type:Contemporary/Jukebox (2016), Music/Lyrics:David Kirshenbaum Book:Jack Heifner. With a plethora of meaty female roles, 42nd Street celebrates Broadway, Times Square and the people who make the magic of musical theatre. Just as Anna Antonelli's roller rink is about to be demolished, her estranged daughter returns, sparking painful memories and reawakening unresolved conflict. This jewel of Broadway's Golden Age features two of the greatest roles in musical theatre: the title character and her mother. Koko Da Doll, who was featured in "Kokomo City," a documentary about four Black transgender sex workers that won awards at the Sundance Film Festival this year . Read More. After the movie craze swept TikTok, were willing to bet that most of your high school actors are familiar with Matilda the musical. Large musicals for high schools are a great way to ensure that everyone who wants to participate, gets to participate. Dreamgirls by Tom Eyen & Henry Krieger (US/UK)(Drama / 4f, 4m +Ensemble)Effie, Deena and Lorrell take the stage by storm in this sweeping and inspirational journey through 20th century American pop music. Four companies handle the majority of musical theater licensing: Another licensing company, Tams-Witmark, was acquired by Concord Theatricals in 2018. For the director, the plot presents a teaching moment: is it ever wise to change yourself for a romantic partner? Craig Lucas sophisticated book and Adam Guettels ravishing score provide rich performance opportunities for both actresses. And once you do, youre likely to become a superfan! Survived.. This musical hits all of the bases for high school: its easy to produce, and you can do it on an exceptionally small budget. De Sylva, P.G. The following shows have all been on Broadway or the West End in recent years which means that theyre some of the coolest high school musicals you can find and theyre all available for licensing. Smile by Howard Ashman & Marvin Hamlisch (US/UK)(Comedy / 10f, 6m, 2 boys)This touching and satirical musical about a teen beauty pageant features a host of great roles for young women. I believe it calls for a 9 person cast. With a tuneful, groovy, mid-1960s score by Cy Coleman, sparkling lyrics by Dorothy Fields, and a hilarious book by Neil Simon,Sweet Charitycaptures all the energy, humour, and heartbreak of Life in the Big City for an unfortunate but irrepressible optimist. The Pirates of Penzance is one of the best low-budget musicals you can do with a high school group for one big reason: its in the public domain, so you dont need to pay licensing fees! The songs are catchy, and theres plenty of opportunity for over-the-top choreography. Nearly every musical has some sort of a female lead, so Im featuring the musicals where women carry the show (and not in conjunction with a leading male). Six is a modern retelling of the lives of Divorced. Beheaded. And from a practical perspective, you probably already have the set pieces lying around school. Due to their limited budget, the sisters wind up sharing a less-than ideal basement apartment in Greenwich Village. Well always be bosom buddies, they sing in one of the greatest duets ever written for two women. More. 6th Floor Dani Girl. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. New Broadway musicals usually arent available for licensing while the show is running on Broadway or touring the country. Musicals with big ensembles especially those with a variety of featured roles, like Bye Bye Birdie help you foster the talent of all your singers and actors. Watch the entire show on YouTube. Others, like Working, are easy to direct. All Female cast comedies, one-act female plays, plays for two female actors, 10 minute plays for female cast. In honor of International Women's Day this year, I decided to put together a list of musicals with female leads. Sweet Charity by Neil Simon, Cy Coleman, Dorothy Fields, Federico Fellini, Tullio Pinelli and Ennio Flaiano (US/UK)(Full Length Musical, Comedy / 4f, 4m)Inspired by Federico Fellini'sNights of Cabiria,Sweet Charityexplores the turbulent love life of Charity Hope Valentine, a hopelessly romantic but comically unfortunate dance hall hostess in New York City. Top image courtesy of Otterbein University Theatre & Dance under CC BY-SA 2.0. Licensing, publishing, recording & producing company comprising R&H Theatricals, Samuel French, Tams-Witmark & The Andrew Lloyd Webber Collection.

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