Some shows, including Lucky Stiff and Weird Romance, are small cast musicals that provide a fun challenge for your most dedicated and passionate students between big productions. Smile by Howard Ashman & Marvin Hamlisch (US/UK) (Comedy / 10f, 6m, 2 boys) . New York, NY 10107-0102, I'm Getting My Act Together and Taking It on the Road, Love, Linda (The Life of Mrs. Cole Porter), Rodgers & Hammersteins A Grand Night for Singing, Some Enchanted Evening - The Songs of Rodgers & Hammerstein, You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown (Original), Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella (Broadway Version). More. Celebrate the women of musical theatre with some Free Reads. Cast each one separately to include more performers, or use the same cast to stretch your actors abilities. Grease is one of the top high school musicals of all time. Adding Machine: A Musical by Elmer Rice, Joshua Schmidt, Jason Loewith The story culminates with the victory of the Suffragettes and the disintegration of the Pankhurst family. Set all across America in the 1920s and 30s, when vaudeville was dying and burlesque was born, Arthur Laurents' landmark show explores the world of two-bit show business with brass, humour, heart, and sophistication. You can bet that local families will be buying tickets en masse no parent is going to deny their kids the chance to see Dorothy and the Cowardly Lion in person? Thats where youll find musicals sorted by composer, theme, setting, and more! Smile (Ashman) by Marvin Hamlisch and Howard Ashman (US/UK)(Full Length Musical, Comedy / 10f, 6m, 2boy(s)At the Young American Miss Pageant in Santa Rosa, California, two young women befriend one another and pursue their dreams, despite a barrage of onstage exploits and backstage intrigue. It's going to feel like we've bricked up the doors and windows,' she proclaims. We recommend that you watch high school drama teachers Marji Eldreths series on TikTok; she gives a little summary of each show, and her enthusiasm is contagious. Miss Littlewood by Sam Kenyon (UK)(Full Length Musical / 9f, 3m)Joan Littlewood was the anarchic revolutionary of 20th century theatre. Does it get more wholesome than Little Women? The Spanish origins of the playwright come through in Michael John LaChiusas music, which is at times haunting, lively, and soaring. When a group of senior citizens resorts to shoplifting to save their retirement home from the wrecking ball, hilarity ensues. Bernarda Albas husband has just died, and she announces that the entire household (including her mother and five daughters) will be locked in the house in mourning. ), One challenge that high school theater directors face is finding musicals with plenty of roles. This is typical Dear Evan Hansen is running on Broadway and in a national tour; it was also made into a movie in September of 2021. Next to Normal is the story of Diana Goodman and her family. Theatre Trip participates in affiliate programs. Urinetown. If you happen to have a few belters or at least some singers with solid mix voices in your theater group, this is a fun, contemporary musical for a small cast. In honor of International Women's Day this year, I decided to put together a list of musicals with female leads. If youve ever read Nol Cowards play Blithe Spirit, you already know the plot of High Spirits its the musical version of the play. Cast: 3 female, 1 maleLicensing: Concord Theatricals. Swingtime Canteen by Linda Thorsen Bond, William Repicci, Charles Busch & Various Artists (US/UK)(Comedy / 5f)What better way to feature women than with an all-female band? The shows strongest numbers, including Big Spender, Theres Gotta Be Something Better Than This and If They Could See Me Now, all feature women in the spotlight. Photos: Frankie Valli & Rosie O'Donnell Visit A BEAUTIFUL NOISE, Photos: Winokur, Edelman & Schafer Visit LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, MJ to Hold Open Call Auditions in Chicago and Detroit, Photos: Glenn Close visits SHUCKED on Broadway, Phillips, Scarpaci & Fouch to Lead BORN COUNTRY Industry Reading, http://rnh.com/theatricals/show.php?show_id=107#, http://rnh.com/theatricals/show.php?show_id=86, http://www.dramatists.com/cgi-bin/db/single.asp?key=1880, PARADE On Broadway - Reviews & News Thread. 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. High schools cant do Dear Evan Hansen because the musical is not yet available for licensing. Rodgers & Hammersteins Cinderella by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II (US/UK)(Full Length Musical, Comedy / 6f, 5m)The timeless enchantment of this magical fairy tale that's been at the heart of many children's storybooks is reborn in this musical. Watch videos and learn about plot, characters, context, songs. 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. As you might guess, the dance requirements are significant; its a fun opportunity to get your high schools cheerleading team involved. High schoolers love this show partly for the iconic characters, and partly because its just so much fun. Stacy Karyn is the founder of Theatre Trip, author of The Thespians Bucket List, and creator of The Cast Album List. In this exuberant, groovy, hilarious show, Charity tries again and again to find her dream and make something of herself. I'm going to the licensing companies' websites but am still going to post a request for suggestions here on BWW, of course. Watch the entire show on YouTube. Full-Length Musical, Dramatic Comedy 2f, 2m Quick View. This jukebox musical is fun and unexpected, featuring music from Katy Perry, The Supremes, and more. With its female leads, challenging music, and huge chorus, No No Nannette is the ideal musical for high schools with a large, well-established theater department. Research Playwrights, Librettists, Composers and Lyricists. Think back do you remember when you first felt your castmates turning into family? We also have had many producers, directors, and educators who said they'd love to see showsbig, medium, smallfor mostly female casts. Assassins can be done with 11, which is one over what you wanted, but maybe you can swing it. Dreamgirls chronicles one Motown group's rise from obscurity to superstardom. This musical is particularly well-suited to a school theater program with a wide range of ages; there are roles for younger and older kids. 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. Classic MusicalsMoneymakersShowcase Your Finest PerformerGreat Vocal DemandsFeature ChoreographyLittle ChoreographyPredominantly Female CastsPredominantly Male CastsFor Schools and Youth GroupsFor Advanced Youth Groups and Senior SchoolsMusicals with Parts for Middle-Aged PerformersShows That Don't Depend on Young CastsMusicals That Rely . There are no complex harmonies, and most of the vocal lines are easy to pick up quickly. In this crowd-pleasing, large-cast musical, two strong women quite literally share the leading role. Beheaded. Does your school have a large turnout for auditions? Annie is one of those musicals that everyone knows its a family friendly show, which is handy if you live in a conservative area. Since theres minimal interaction between characters, rehearsals are a breeze! We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. . Showtune. Gift Guides Gain full access to show guides, character breakdowns, auditions, monologues and more. Home Theater 5 Best Small Cast Musicals. Not sure if I missed it, but how did you come up with the BAD and GOOD lists? 250 W. 57th Street Lysistrata Jones by Douglas Carter Beane and Lewis Flinn (US/UK)(Full Length Musical, Comedy / 4f, 3m)The Athens University basketball team hasnt won a game in thirty years. My heart skipped a little when I read your shout out! I've seen "Bat Boy" done with like 11 people or so "Your lyrics lack subtlety! Since it only has a cast of four, its not usually produced in big theaters. Next to Normal is the story of Diana Goodman and her family. The music is fun, but it doesnt involve complicated harmonies or challenging rhythms. It tells the story of a truly modern family, with all of the pain and love that comes along with it. 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. This means that if you choose to make a purchase through one of the following links, we may earn a small commission on the sale at no additional cost to you. Carrie: The Musical. Set in a small Wisconsin town, the show features a gorgeous, soulful score and several strong roles for women, including an emotionally contained parolee and her . Plus, Millennial parents will get a kick out of seeing this classic high school story brought to the stage. With its gorgeous (but not overly complicated) music, small orchestra, and flexible set requirements, The Fantasticks is the perfect budget musical for a small high school theater program. If youve ever directed a musical, you know how much work goes into it. The tale of Danny, Sandy, and friends is fun and frothy, with a surprisingly deep undercurrent. . Wed love to hear about the shows youre doing! Licensing, publishing, recording & producing company comprising R&H Theatricals, Samuel French, Tams-Witmark & The Andrew Lloyd Webber Collection. At home, she's at the mercy of her loving but cruelly over-protective mother. So heres a full list of musicals for small casts. I am in the process of working with a small venue that could potentially host SMALL scale musicals (ideally with casts of 6 or fewer people, but could potentially be stretched). Here are some showstopping musicals for small groups to perform. This gripping tale of one headstrong and passionate young woman's all-consuming love for an ambitious sea captain provides a tour-de-force for its leading lady. Navigating both the treacherous Falls and a fickle public with a ravenous appetite for sensationalism, this unconventional heroine vies for her legacy in a world clamouring with swindling managers, assassins, revolutionaries, moralising family, anarchists and activists. Four companies handle the majority of musical theater licensing: Another licensing company, Tams-Witmark, was acquired by Concord Theatricals in 2018. Cast: 0-4M, 7-8 F (minimum 7F) Set/Time: Simple interior and exterior sets / About 90 minutes. Set in a small Wisconsin town, the show features a gorgeous, soulful score and several strong roles for women, including an emotionally contained parolee and her flinty boss. 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. This means that if you choose to make a purchase through one of the following links, we may earn a small commission on the sale at no additional cost to you. To find more musicals with strong female voices visit our website. With this combustible combination, Nunsense cant help but rise to the heavens! Whether you have a cast of 2 people or 10, start your search with these musicals: Are you brave enough to produce a 2-person musical? With its modern take on the Aristophanes classic,Lysistrata Jonesbrings a contemporary pop/rock energy to Douglas Carter Beane's hilarious script. Based on the novel of the same name by Rick Riordan. Theres an option to add an all-genders ensemble. Six is a modern retelling of the lives of Charles Schulzs beloved comic comes to life in Clark Gesners classic musical, Youre a Good Man, Anas Mitchell breathes fresh, new life into classic mythology with her folk musical Hadestown. Evita is based on the historical story of Mara Eva Duarte de Pern, a poor Argentinian girl who Falsettos is the story of a large, eccentric, and dysfunctional -- but loving -- Jewish family in Hedwig and the Angry Inch tells the tale of how a slip of a girlyboy from communist East Berlin, An American in Paris is a story of finding love, happiness, and a new lease on life. After all, theyre cheaper and easier to produce. See more ideas about musicals, it cast, musical theatre. Check out the handy explanation at MTI. Not sure? Music:David ShireLyrics:Richard Maltby, Jr. Musical Type:Pre-Contemporary/Revue (1976), Musical Type:Pre-Contemporary/Contemporary (1990/2001), Music/Lyrics:David Kirshenbaum Book:Jack Heifner, Music:Howard MarrenLyrics:Susan BirkenheadBook:Jeffrey Sweet, Music/Lyrics:VariousConcept:Sheldon Epps, Musical Type:Pre-Contemporary/Revue (1980), Music/Lyrics/Book:Benj Pasek, Justin Paul, Musical Type:Contemporary/Song Cycle (2005), Music/Lyrics:VariousBook:Dick Scanlan, Sherie Rene Scott, Musical Type:Pre-Contemporary/Revue (1989), Music/Lyrics:Nick BlaemireBook:James Gardiner, Music/Lyrics/Book:Michael RobertsConcept:Eric Krebs, Music:Jimmy RobertsLyrics/Book:Joe DiPietro, Music:Jerome KernLyrics:VariousBook:Dick Vosburgh, Musical Type:Pre-Contemporary/Revue (1986), Music/Lyrics:Steven Cheslik-DeMeyer, Alan Stevens HewittMusic/Lyrics/Book:Tim Maner, Music/Lyrics:Juliana NashLyrics/Book:Julia Jordan, Music:Joshua Salzman Lyrics/Book: Ryan Cunningham, Music/Lyrics:Jeff BowenBook:Hunter Bell, Susan Blackwell, Music/Lyrics: Douglas Lyons Music: Greg BorowskyBook: Melvin Tunstall III, Music:Keith HerrmannLyrics/Book:Barry Harman, Music/Lyrics:Stephen Sondheim, Leonard Bernstein, Mary Rodgers, Richard Rodgers, Jule Styne, Musical Type:Pre-Contemporary/Song Cycle (1995), Musical Type:Pre-Contemporary/Revue (1987), Music:Steven M. AlperLyrics:Sarah KnappBook:Mark Harelik, Music:John KanderLyrics/Book:Greg Pierce, Music/Lyrics/Book:Kait Kerrigan, Bree Lowdermilk, Musical Type:Pre-Contemporary/Jukebox (1999), The Marvelous Wonderettes: Caps and Gowns, Musical Type:Contemporary/Jukebox (2013), Musical Type:Contemporary/Jukebox (2016), Music/Book:Eric RockwellLyrics/Book:Joanne Bogart, Music/Lyrics:Tom LehrerAdaptation:Cameron Mackintosh, Robin Ray, Music:Richard RodgersLyrics:Oscar Hammerstein IIConcept:Walter Bobbie, Musical Type:Pre-Contemporary/Revue (1993), Music:Joshua SchmidtLyrics:Jan Levy TranenBook:Austin Pendleton, Music/Lyrics/Book:Robert J. Sherman Music/Lyrics: Al Sherman, Richard M. Sherman, Robert B. Sherman, Music:Robert RealeLyrics/Book:Willie Reale. Cast: 6 female, 3-4 maleLicensing: Music Theater International, Do you have a huge high school drama club thats mostly populated by women? You can't just have your characters announce how they feel! Based on Louisa May Alcotts novel of the same name, the musical tells the story of the beloved March family. And, if you cast a beloved teacher or coach as the Trunchbull, youre sure to draw a crowd. They were also fierce competitors whose 50-year tug-of-war would give birth to an industry. Vanities: The Musical by Jack Heifner & David Kirshenbaum (US/UK)(Dramatic Comedy / 3f)Vanities: The Musical chronicles the life-affirming journey of three vivacious Texas women as they grow from teen cheerleaders to sorority sisters to liberated women and beyond. Divorced. But a secret about Clara threatens to destroy her chance at happiness, and Margaret must make a life-changing decision. If you have a lot of men, it's a good option. Everyone's favorite ogre is back in this hilarious stage spectacle, based on the Oscar-winning smash hit film and outrageous Broadway musical. All Female cast comedies, one-act female plays, plays for two female actors, 10 minute plays for female cast. With its laugh-out-loud dialogue and delightful music, this musical is a fun challenge for novice actors. Many offer streaming or piano-only accompaniment. There are six starring female roles and three leading men, plus a variety of smaller parts. When she's discovered by Col. Buffalo Bill, he persuades this novel sharpshooter to join his Wild West Show. From Fifth Avenue society to the halls of Congress, their rivalry was relentless and legendary pushing both women to build international empires in a world dominated by men. A small musical is the perfect way to show off your best performers. Bernarda Alba by Michael John LaChiusa (US/UK)(Drama / 10f)In this all-female musical drama, a powerful matriarch virtually quarantines her five daughters after their fathers death. Due to their limited budget, the sisters wind up sharing a less-than ideal basement apartment in Greenwich Village. Thanks for the suggestion! 3. And once you do, you're likely to become a superfan! 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. That makes me feel angry!". Alternatively, its a fun way to bring in a choir and gym teacher. And if you like these types of lists, check out themusical database. For the director, the plot presents a teaching moment: is it ever wise to change yourself for a romantic partner? Here are some showstopping musicals for small groups to perform. One good thing about revisiting "Pretty Woman": You can't deny that society has made some real progress since 1990. Fortunately, theres a whole world of small cast musicals to choose from! Female monologues collection - women from the Bible. * Heres where you can find a list of 2-Person Musicals!