Author Topic: PRODUCING: Musical Suggestions for a limited stage.  (Read 10925 times)

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Kilodolcevita

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PRODUCING: Musical Suggestions for a limited stage.
« on: May 06, 2008, 10:10 pm »
Alright so here's the deal: I've been involved with a local community theater throughout this year both on/off stage. Currently a director friend of mine is looking to do a musical for November, but is having a tough time in the selection process. A.) Our 160 seat theater was built about 50 years ago with a 30 foot-stage, 20 foot ceiling at highest point, but inside the shell of a metal air-craft hangar structure. So our staging is extremely limited to doing shows that are not paramount with flybars, ceiling drops etc. simply because we don't have them  and B.) it's community theater, so there is no flying and definitely no outfitted track systems.  I'm looking for suggestions on shows with a preferably small cast (6-12 people), and of course a musical, that can be adapted to fit our stage,  but with no monstrous set changes during acts (Beauty and the Beast/Sound of Music example included).  I know it's tough.. I've suggested Light in the Piazza ( Adam Guettel)  but am still open to any ideas you might have experience, or just suggestions you know other theater's have done. Any input would be great!

Shows i know this director has already done in past years include : The odd couple, fiddler on the roof, annie, hello dolly, the fantasticks, musical comedy murders of 1940, oliver, the king and i, my fair lady, nunsense, damn yankees, dracula the musical, you're a good man charlie brown, jesus christ superstar etc.

Much thanks if you can help :]

Katie.
« Last Edit: Jun 09, 2009, 02:13 am by PSMKay »

zayit shachor

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Re: Musical Suggestions for a limited stage.
« Reply #1 on: May 06, 2008, 10:27 pm »
Look into Musical of Musicals: The Musical! if a satire show is up your alley.  It's hilarious, has great music, and can be pulled off very minimally with a cast of five and a piano.

http://www.musicalofmusicals.com/

PSMAK

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Re: Musical Suggestions for a limited stage.
« Reply #2 on: May 06, 2008, 10:33 pm »
A few that come to mind that are very simply and can be done with limited cast and unit sets are: SNOOPY, BABY, THE LAST FIVE YEARS, THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW, ASSASSINS, RENT, A CHORUS LINE, and COMPANY.

Best Wishes!

sievep

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Re: Musical Suggestions for a limited stage.
« Reply #3 on: May 06, 2008, 11:19 pm »
I second COMPANY and would like to suggest INTO THE WOODS
"This lovely light, it lights not me" - Orson Welles

killerdana

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Re: Musical Suggestions for a limited stage.
« Reply #4 on: May 07, 2008, 01:12 am »
Godspell.  Little Shop of Horrors (it seems elaborate, but we did it on a small stage with minimal wing space and no fly space at all).  Dreamgirls.  All can have a cast under 20 and fairly simple sets.
Science without art is sterile.  --Albert Einstein

loebtmc

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Re: Musical Suggestions for a limited stage.
« Reply #5 on: May 07, 2008, 02:00 am »
Fantasticks. Plaid.

jmc

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Re: Musical Suggestions for a limited stage.
« Reply #6 on: May 07, 2008, 04:32 am »
You can accomplish most Musicals, using a bit of innovative design & staging.
As for lack of a fly loft, it is relatively easy to produce an Oilio (Oilieo) backdrop [a.k.a 'Tumbler'] or Scrim/cloth travellers.
Also Periaktio [Medici] revolving flats &/or Wings can be knocked up, from flats;-
http://www1.appstate.edu/orgs/spectacle/Pages/16thscenechange.html ;-
Along with Revolves [turntables], trucks & other mechanical methods of changing scenes.
All can be made from materials available off the shelf or cheaply picked up from  Salvage Yards [reclamation], for a song.
'Man Of La Mancha', 'Irma La Douce', Sweeney Todd & a heap more!
 
« Last Edit: May 07, 2008, 04:35 am by jmc »
Tio Tio Chookas
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Nbayard

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Re: Musical Suggestions for a limited stage.
« Reply #7 on: May 07, 2008, 08:18 am »
I have a community theatre in my area with the same limited space and small house and they usually can pull off anything. We did Annie Get Your Gun last summer with a  cast of 20something...  It was tight, but we made it work.  I'm sure whatever you end up doing, with some creative thinking will be splendid.

KMC

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Re: Musical Suggestions for a limited stage.
« Reply #8 on: May 07, 2008, 10:37 am »
Pump Boys and Dinettes typically has a cast of 6 (4 men, 2 women) and is a single set show in most productions.  The one big hurdle is that your actors need to be very good musicians as well, one Piano, one Bass, two Guitar, and the ladies play a bit of percussion.
Get action. Do things; be sane; don’t fritter away your time; create, act, take a place wherever you are and be somebody; get action. -T. Roosevelt

Jessie_K

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Re: Musical Suggestions for a limited stage.
« Reply #9 on: May 07, 2008, 10:50 am »
Forever Plaid.  The show could not be simpler.

imrnthewicked

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Re: Musical Suggestions for a limited stage.
« Reply #10 on: May 07, 2008, 03:40 pm »
We were in our school's commons area on a very small stage this year because our theatre was being renovated, and did You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown.  Small cast (thought we had a cast of 20 because we added a chorus), small scenery.  Another one we were thinking of doing is Carnival.  Hope this helps!

stagebear

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Re: Musical Suggestions for a limited stage.
« Reply #11 on: May 07, 2008, 04:07 pm »
just from reading your title, Cabaret and The Last 5 Years popped into my head.
Songs for a New World, Assassins, Nunsense, Tick, Tick..BOOM!, and The Thing About Men are all good also.

Vsable

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Re: Musical Suggestions for a limited stage.
« Reply #12 on: May 07, 2008, 06:46 pm »
I'd like to suggest "I Love You, Your Perfect, Now Change" & "Songs For a New World"
JD Michael

kiwitechgirl

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Re: Musical Suggestions for a limited stage.
« Reply #13 on: May 07, 2008, 07:07 pm »
I second I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change, or what about Putting It Together or Jesus Christ Superstar?

boolabella

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Re: Musical Suggestions for a limited stage.
« Reply #14 on: May 07, 2008, 07:33 pm »
Altar Boys is small and pretty entertaining, I've never done it but it seems to be on the smaller side production wise.
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