Open Forum

​Ok, so I realize I have created this monster for myself, and I can only think of one way to perfectly solve this problem...I need a musical that can be performed with essentially two different casts.  An inexpensive show with multiple stories that can be rehearsed separately? Or maybe A show within a show where one troupe can perform one story and one the other story?

Just wondering if this exists?  We did Mary Hall Surface's "Sing Down the Moon" from Dramatic Publishing in the fall, and this type of show would have been perfect for my situation now. It had four separate stories that connected together, like an anthology. I was able to rehearse each scene separately and then pull the show together. But now I need another one like this!

Why you ask?  I have a high school drama class, who are quite deserving of parts, who will rehearse during the school day, and I have a middle school drama group, who are also quite deserving of parts and the future of my program, who will have to rehearse after school.  And I only have the time and energy for one show. 

I realize I probably just need to pull those who really want a part and do all rehearsals after school...

But I figured, hey, it was worth a shot to pick your brains!! Oh and emphasis on inexpensive.... I spent way too much money on my fall show!

Thank you for your help!


------------------------------
Analiese Hamm
ECHS Drama Director
Statenville GA
------------------------------

Original Message------

​Ok, so I realize I have created this monster for myself, and I can only think of one way to perfectly solve this problem...I need a musical that can be performed with essentially two different casts.  An inexpensive show with multiple stories that can be rehearsed separately? Or maybe A show within a show where one troupe can perform one story and one the other story?

Just wondering if this exists?  We did Mary Hall Surface's "Sing Down the Moon" from Dramatic Publishing in the fall, and this type of show would have been perfect for my situation now. It had four separate stories that connected together, like an anthology. I was able to rehearse each scene separately and then pull the show together. But now I need another one like this!

Why you ask?  I have a high school drama class, who are quite deserving of parts, who will rehearse during the school day, and I have a middle school drama group, who are also quite deserving of parts and the future of my program, who will have to rehearse after school.  And I only have the time and energy for one show. 

I realize I probably just need to pull those who really want a part and do all rehearsals after school...

But I figured, hey, it was worth a shot to pick your brains!! Oh and emphasis on inexpensive.... I spent way too much money on my fall show!

Thank you for your help!


------------------------------
Analiese Hamm
ECHS Drama Director
Statenville GA
------------------------------

Look at The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon by Don Zolidis. Each story can be rehearsed separately and there are tons of parts. Very very funny - my students and audiences loved it!

------------------------------
Christine Izmirian
Lakewood CO
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 01-10-2018 11:16
From: Analiese Hamm
Subject: Help!! Musical for two separate rehearsal groups?

​Ok, so I realize I have created this monster for myself, and I can only think of one way to perfectly solve this problem...I need a musical that can be performed with essentially two different casts.  An inexpensive show with multiple stories that can be rehearsed separately? Or maybe A show within a show where one troupe can perform one story and one the other story?

Just wondering if this exists?  We did Mary Hall Surface's "Sing Down the Moon" from Dramatic Publishing in the fall, and this type of show would have been perfect for my situation now. It had four separate stories that connected together, like an anthology. I was able to rehearse each scene separately and then pull the show together. But now I need another one like this!

Why you ask?  I have a high school drama class, who are quite deserving of parts, who will rehearse during the school day, and I have a middle school drama group, who are also quite deserving of parts and the future of my program, who will have to rehearse after school.  And I only have the time and energy for one show.

I realize I probably just need to pull those who really want a part and do all rehearsals after school...

But I figured, hey, it was worth a shot to pick your brains!! Oh and emphasis on inexpensive.... I spent way too much money on my fall show!

Thank you for your help!


------------------------------
Analiese Hamm
ECHS Drama Director
Statenville GA
------------------------------

What about Oliver!. The high school students could play the adult roles and the middle schoolers could play the orphans and Fagan's pickpockets. It still gives your middle school kids some good roles: Oliver and Dodger. In fact the kids sing a lot of songs, you may need to bolster the pickpockets with some of your high school students.

------------------------------
James Van Leishout
Olympia WA
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 01-10-2018 11:16
From: Analiese Hamm
Subject: Help!! Musical for two separate rehearsal groups?

​Ok, so I realize I have created this monster for myself, and I can only think of one way to perfectly solve this problem...I need a musical that can be performed with essentially two different casts.  An inexpensive show with multiple stories that can be rehearsed separately? Or maybe A show within a show where one troupe can perform one story and one the other story?

Just wondering if this exists?  We did Mary Hall Surface's "Sing Down the Moon" from Dramatic Publishing in the fall, and this type of show would have been perfect for my situation now. It had four separate stories that connected together, like an anthology. I was able to rehearse each scene separately and then pull the show together. But now I need another one like this!

Why you ask?  I have a high school drama class, who are quite deserving of parts, who will rehearse during the school day, and I have a middle school drama group, who are also quite deserving of parts and the future of my program, who will have to rehearse after school.  And I only have the time and energy for one show.

I realize I probably just need to pull those who really want a part and do all rehearsals after school...

But I figured, hey, it was worth a shot to pick your brains!! Oh and emphasis on inexpensive.... I spent way too much money on my fall show!

Thank you for your help!


------------------------------
Analiese Hamm
ECHS Drama Director
Statenville GA
------------------------------

Original Message------

​Ok, so I realize I have created this monster for myself, and I can only think of one way to perfectly solve this problem...I need a musical that can be performed with essentially two different casts.  An inexpensive show with multiple stories that can be rehearsed separately? Or maybe A show within a show where one troupe can perform one story and one the other story?

Just wondering if this exists?  We did Mary Hall Surface's "Sing Down the Moon" from Dramatic Publishing in the fall, and this type of show would have been perfect for my situation now. It had four separate stories that connected together, like an anthology. I was able to rehearse each scene separately and then pull the show together. But now I need another one like this!

Why you ask?  I have a high school drama class, who are quite deserving of parts, who will rehearse during the school day, and I have a middle school drama group, who are also quite deserving of parts and the future of my program, who will have to rehearse after school.  And I only have the time and energy for one show. 

I realize I probably just need to pull those who really want a part and do all rehearsals after school...

But I figured, hey, it was worth a shot to pick your brains!! Oh and emphasis on inexpensive.... I spent way too much money on my fall show!

Thank you for your help!


------------------------------
Analiese Hamm
ECHS Drama Director
Statenville GA
------------------------------

I like the suggestions already made.  You may want to consider also, "Musical of Musicals: The Musical"  Hilarious show in the vein of Forbidden Broadway.  The high school students could do the more mature stories, and the junior high the tamer versions.

------------------------------
Mike Hancey
Musical Theatre, Drama, Theatre Guild, & Theater Manager
Laramie High School
Laramie, WY
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 01-10-2018 11:16
From: Analiese Hamm
Subject: Help!! Musical for two separate rehearsal groups?

​Ok, so I realize I have created this monster for myself, and I can only think of one way to perfectly solve this problem...I need a musical that can be performed with essentially two different casts.  An inexpensive show with multiple stories that can be rehearsed separately? Or maybe A show within a show where one troupe can perform one story and one the other story?

Just wondering if this exists?  We did Mary Hall Surface's "Sing Down the Moon" from Dramatic Publishing in the fall, and this type of show would have been perfect for my situation now. It had four separate stories that connected together, like an anthology. I was able to rehearse each scene separately and then pull the show together. But now I need another one like this!

Why you ask?  I have a high school drama class, who are quite deserving of parts, who will rehearse during the school day, and I have a middle school drama group, who are also quite deserving of parts and the future of my program, who will have to rehearse after school.  And I only have the time and energy for one show.

I realize I probably just need to pull those who really want a part and do all rehearsals after school...

But I figured, hey, it was worth a shot to pick your brains!! Oh and emphasis on inexpensive.... I spent way too much money on my fall show!

Thank you for your help!


------------------------------
Analiese Hamm
ECHS Drama Director
Statenville GA
------------------------------

There are some great suggestions already on the thread, but I was thinking of Everything I Needed to Know I Learned in Kindergarten. It can be done either as a musical or play. Some great parts, all in small sections.

------------------------------
Joyce Thrift
Theater Teacher
Antioch CA
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 01-10-2018 11:16
From: Analiese Hamm
Subject: Help!! Musical for two separate rehearsal groups?

​Ok, so I realize I have created this monster for myself, and I can only think of one way to perfectly solve this problem...I need a musical that can be performed with essentially two different casts.  An inexpensive show with multiple stories that can be rehearsed separately? Or maybe A show within a show where one troupe can perform one story and one the other story?

Just wondering if this exists?  We did Mary Hall Surface's "Sing Down the Moon" from Dramatic Publishing in the fall, and this type of show would have been perfect for my situation now. It had four separate stories that connected together, like an anthology. I was able to rehearse each scene separately and then pull the show together. But now I need another one like this!

Why you ask?  I have a high school drama class, who are quite deserving of parts, who will rehearse during the school day, and I have a middle school drama group, who are also quite deserving of parts and the future of my program, who will have to rehearse after school.  And I only have the time and energy for one show.

I realize I probably just need to pull those who really want a part and do all rehearsals after school...

But I figured, hey, it was worth a shot to pick your brains!! Oh and emphasis on inexpensive.... I spent way too much money on my fall show!

Thank you for your help!


------------------------------
Analiese Hamm
ECHS Drama Director
Statenville GA
------------------------------

Working by Stephen Schwartz has separate songs that you could piece together with just a few rehearsals. Great music!

------------------------------
Andrea Rassler
Concord NC
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 01-10-2018 11:16
From: Analiese Hamm
Subject: Help!! Musical for two separate rehearsal groups?

​Ok, so I realize I have created this monster for myself, and I can only think of one way to perfectly solve this problem...I need a musical that can be performed with essentially two different casts.  An inexpensive show with multiple stories that can be rehearsed separately? Or maybe A show within a show where one troupe can perform one story and one the other story?

Just wondering if this exists?  We did Mary Hall Surface's "Sing Down the Moon" from Dramatic Publishing in the fall, and this type of show would have been perfect for my situation now. It had four separate stories that connected together, like an anthology. I was able to rehearse each scene separately and then pull the show together. But now I need another one like this!

Why you ask?  I have a high school drama class, who are quite deserving of parts, who will rehearse during the school day, and I have a middle school drama group, who are also quite deserving of parts and the future of my program, who will have to rehearse after school.  And I only have the time and energy for one show.

I realize I probably just need to pull those who really want a part and do all rehearsals after school...

But I figured, hey, it was worth a shot to pick your brains!! Oh and emphasis on inexpensive.... I spent way too much money on my fall show!

Thank you for your help!


------------------------------
Analiese Hamm
ECHS Drama Director
Statenville GA
------------------------------

Have you thought about doing two separate <g class="gr_ gr_21 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="21" data-gr-id="21">one act</g> plays? Maybe two that are tied together thematically? Last year I added a spring theatre festival after our musical and the only way I could do it to hang onto my sanity after the musical was to produce three different one acts from three different classes so it wasn't after school at all. I had students direct each one as well. 

-Will

------------------------------
William Healy
Theatre Arts Teacher
Henrico VA
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 01-12-2018 05:18
From: Andrea Rassler
Subject: Help!! Musical for two separate rehearsal groups?

Working by Stephen Schwartz has separate songs that you could piece together with just a few rehearsals. Great music!

------------------------------
Andrea Rassler
Concord NC

Original Message:
Sent: 01-10-2018 11:16
From: Analiese Hamm
Subject: Help!! Musical for two separate rehearsal groups?

​Ok, so I realize I have created this monster for myself, and I can only think of one way to perfectly solve this problem...I need a musical that can be performed with essentially two different casts.  An inexpensive show with multiple stories that can be rehearsed separately? Or maybe A show within a show where one troupe can perform one story and one the other story?

Just wondering if this exists?  We did Mary Hall Surface's "Sing Down the Moon" from Dramatic Publishing in the fall, and this type of show would have been perfect for my situation now. It had four separate stories that connected together, like an anthology. I was able to rehearse each scene separately and then pull the show together. But now I need another one like this!

Why you ask?  I have a high school drama class, who are quite deserving of parts, who will rehearse during the school day, and I have a middle school drama group, who are also quite deserving of parts and the future of my program, who will have to rehearse after school.  And I only have the time and energy for one show.

I realize I probably just need to pull those who really want a part and do all rehearsals after school...

But I figured, hey, it was worth a shot to pick your brains!! Oh and emphasis on inexpensive.... I spent way too much money on my fall show!

Thank you for your help!


------------------------------
Analiese Hamm
ECHS Drama Director
Statenville GA
------------------------------

​Thank you all so very much!  I really have some great pieces to choose from. I am excited for the show ahead, and always love a new challenge. Furthermore,  I am very grateful to have this community, to think how I survived so many years without it....

------------------------------
Analiese Hamm
ECHS Drama Director
Statenville GA
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 01-10-2018 11:16
From: Analiese Hamm
Subject: Help!! Musical for two separate rehearsal groups?

​Ok, so I realize I have created this monster for myself, and I can only think of one way to perfectly solve this problem...I need a musical that can be performed with essentially two different casts.  An inexpensive show with multiple stories that can be rehearsed separately? Or maybe A show within a show where one troupe can perform one story and one the other story?

Just wondering if this exists?  We did Mary Hall Surface's "Sing Down the Moon" from Dramatic Publishing in the fall, and this type of show would have been perfect for my situation now. It had four separate stories that connected together, like an anthology. I was able to rehearse each scene separately and then pull the show together. But now I need another one like this!

Why you ask?  I have a high school drama class, who are quite deserving of parts, who will rehearse during the school day, and I have a middle school drama group, who are also quite deserving of parts and the future of my program, who will have to rehearse after school.  And I only have the time and energy for one show.

I realize I probably just need to pull those who really want a part and do all rehearsals after school...

But I figured, hey, it was worth a shot to pick your brains!! Oh and emphasis on inexpensive.... I spent way too much money on my fall show!

Thank you for your help!


------------------------------
Analiese Hamm
ECHS Drama Director
Statenville GA
------------------------------

Hi Analiese, 

I met a teacher at a Theatre Conference who had two sections of a musical theatre class and produced FORBIDDEN BROADWAY'S GREATEST HITS by teaching the opening and closing numbers both sections (to be combined on Monday of tech week), and then dividing the remaining 17 numbers between both sections based on the talent in each class. They only came together for tech week and apparently had a successful production. 

Feel free to email me if you have any additional questions, jimh@theatricalrights.com.  

------------------------------
Jim Hoare
Vice President, Education & Community Initiatives
TRW
New York NY
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 01-10-2018 11:16
From: Analiese Hamm
Subject: Help!! Musical for two separate rehearsal groups?

​Ok, so I realize I have created this monster for myself, and I can only think of one way to perfectly solve this problem...I need a musical that can be performed with essentially two different casts.  An inexpensive show with multiple stories that can be rehearsed separately? Or maybe A show within a show where one troupe can perform one story and one the other story?

Just wondering if this exists?  We did Mary Hall Surface's "Sing Down the Moon" from Dramatic Publishing in the fall, and this type of show would have been perfect for my situation now. It had four separate stories that connected together, like an anthology. I was able to rehearse each scene separately and then pull the show together. But now I need another one like this!

Why you ask?  I have a high school drama class, who are quite deserving of parts, who will rehearse during the school day, and I have a middle school drama group, who are also quite deserving of parts and the future of my program, who will have to rehearse after school.  And I only have the time and energy for one show.

I realize I probably just need to pull those who really want a part and do all rehearsals after school...

But I figured, hey, it was worth a shot to pick your brains!! Oh and emphasis on inexpensive.... I spent way too much money on my fall show!

Thank you for your help!


------------------------------
Analiese Hamm
ECHS Drama Director
Statenville GA
------------------------------

Ever thought of "The Apple Tree"? A musical in three acts, each act a completely separate show: The Diary of Adam and Eve (only 3 characters), The Lady or the Tiger (three lead roles plus and ensemble), Passionella (three lead characters plus an ensemble). This might solve your problem. Its a great show with a lot of freedom of interpretation and great music.

------------------------------
Arthur Mendini
Theatre Academy Instructor
Vineland NJ
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 01-10-2018 11:16
From: Analiese Hamm
Subject: Help!! Musical for two separate rehearsal groups?

​Ok, so I realize I have created this monster for myself, and I can only think of one way to perfectly solve this problem...I need a musical that can be performed with essentially two different casts.  An inexpensive show with multiple stories that can be rehearsed separately? Or maybe A show within a show where one troupe can perform one story and one the other story?

Just wondering if this exists?  We did Mary Hall Surface's "Sing Down the Moon" from Dramatic Publishing in the fall, and this type of show would have been perfect for my situation now. It had four separate stories that connected together, like an anthology. I was able to rehearse each scene separately and then pull the show together. But now I need another one like this!

Why you ask?  I have a high school drama class, who are quite deserving of parts, who will rehearse during the school day, and I have a middle school drama group, who are also quite deserving of parts and the future of my program, who will have to rehearse after school.  And I only have the time and energy for one show.

I realize I probably just need to pull those who really want a part and do all rehearsals after school...

But I figured, hey, it was worth a shot to pick your brains!! Oh and emphasis on inexpensive.... I spent way too much money on my fall show!

Thank you for your help!


------------------------------
Analiese Hamm
ECHS Drama Director
Statenville GA
------------------------------