Open Forum

Hi everyone! I'm starting to plan for our next musical, but my challenge is that I have only about 6 boys I can count on to audition next year, and unless we get a ringer to come out of the woodwork, they are very weak singers (real challenges with staying on pitch solo).Two of those 2 boys can stay on pitch solo, and may be able to be trained, but 1 of them is very reluctant to sing solo. I have some solid female singers, and I was considering Annie because it's so female heavy, but I'm not sure it has enough appeal to teenagers to get them in the door. Also, I only have 8 body mics with no current budget to buy more, so I'm limited as to how many different characters can have solos (we often have to have kids trade mics during the show when possible).

What musicals have you done that have been easy for weak male singers playing leads and have enough rewarding parts for women, while also having enough mass appeal to a teenage audience.

Thanks!

------------------------------
Rachel Snow
Drama and Technical Theater Teacher
Alhambra High School
Alhambra CA
------------------------------

We are in the same boat. We are doing the Little Mermaid Jr. this year and it is VERY girl heavy.
Eric sings very little and most other characters that sing (Sebastian, Skuttle, Chef Louis)  can be played by a girl!
King Triton doesn't sing at all. 

Hope this helps!

------------------------------
Erika Trahan
Kaplan LA
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 02-09-2017 13:17
From: Rachel Snow
Subject: Musical for Weak Male Singers

Hi everyone! I'm starting to plan for our next musical, but my challenge is that I have only about 6 boys I can count on to audition next year, and unless we get a ringer to come out of the woodwork, they are very weak singers (real challenges with staying on pitch solo).Two of those 2 boys can stay on pitch solo, and may be able to be trained, but 1 of them is very reluctant to sing solo. I have some solid female singers, and I was considering Annie because it's so female heavy, but I'm not sure it has enough appeal to teenagers to get them in the door. Also, I only have 8 body mics with no current budget to buy more, so I'm limited as to how many different characters can have solos (we often have to have kids trade mics during the show when possible).

What musicals have you done that have been easy for weak male singers playing leads and have enough rewarding parts for women, while also having enough mass appeal to a teenage audience.

Thanks!

------------------------------
Rachel Snow
Drama and Technical Theater Teacher
Alhambra High School
Alhambra CA
------------------------------

Original Message------

Hi everyone! I'm starting to plan for our next musical, but my challenge is that I have only about 6 boys I can count on to audition next year, and unless we get a ringer to come out of the woodwork, they are very weak singers (real challenges with staying on pitch solo).Two of those 2 boys can stay on pitch solo, and may be able to be trained, but 1 of them is very reluctant to sing solo. I have some solid female singers, and I was considering Annie because it's so female heavy, but I'm not sure it has enough appeal to teenagers to get them in the door. Also, I only have 8 body mics with no current budget to buy more, so I'm limited as to how many different characters can have solos (we often have to have kids trade mics during the show when possible).

What musicals have you done that have been easy for weak male singers playing leads and have enough rewarding parts for women, while also having enough mass appeal to a teenage audience.

Thanks!

------------------------------
Rachel Snow
Drama and Technical Theater Teacher
Alhambra High School
Alhambra CA
------------------------------

Once Upon a Mattress- the prince and the knight sing a little but that is it. The king is mute. All the other characters can be female! 

Legally Blonde Jr- Warner sings a tiny bit and Emmett sings. Callahan and Kyle do not sing. Everyone else is a girl. 

Xanadu Jr- if memory serves correctly, there is only one guy. 

Disenchated School Edition- only girls, small cast

Little Mermaid Jr- like she said above. Eric has almost no singing- everyone else can be a girl. 

9-5- the boss sings but the vocal part is not demanding like other musicals. There is also a love interest that has a tiny bit of singing. 

I would avoid Annie- I fear the kids will find it too kiddie and not be interested. We're doing Bring it On right now and the kids are SO excited about it. It actually has little male singing. The men mostly rap with the exception of one guy who sings a big song. However, that show comes with a lot of other crazy elements to work in! My point being- picking something the student are excited about might actually bring you more boys! We are excited about the additions to our program this year! 

------------------------------
Brooke Jackson
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 02-10-2017 05:58
From: Myndee Washington
Subject: Musical for Weak Male Singers

I do not suggest Annie. Mr. Warbucks has a few, very difficult, solos and without a very strong male lead the show will suffer. 

Look at The Marvelous Wonderettes or Zombie Prom

Hi,

I highly recommend Once Upon A Mattress. The king is mute, the other male roles can be easily played by women as well. Great show!

------------------------------
Jennifer Jordan
Director of Theater and Dance
Miss Hall's School
Pittsfield MA
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 02-09-2017 13:17
From: Rachel Snow
Subject: Musical for Weak Male Singers

Hi everyone! I'm starting to plan for our next musical, but my challenge is that I have only about 6 boys I can count on to audition next year, and unless we get a ringer to come out of the woodwork, they are very weak singers (real challenges with staying on pitch solo).Two of those 2 boys can stay on pitch solo, and may be able to be trained, but 1 of them is very reluctant to sing solo. I have some solid female singers, and I was considering Annie because it's so female heavy, but I'm not sure it has enough appeal to teenagers to get them in the door. Also, I only have 8 body mics with no current budget to buy more, so I'm limited as to how many different characters can have solos (we often have to have kids trade mics during the show when possible).

What musicals have you done that have been easy for weak male singers playing leads and have enough rewarding parts for women, while also having enough mass appeal to a teenage audience.

Thanks!

------------------------------
Rachel Snow
Drama and Technical Theater Teacher
Alhambra High School
Alhambra CA
------------------------------

Once Upon a Mattress is an excellent suggestion.  I wanted to add ONCE ON THIS ISLAND jr.  The God of Death can speak through his songs.  The God of Water has a big number, but honestly BOTH of those roles can be played by female actors.  One of my favorites for kids!

------------------------------
Keith Rollins
Drama Teacher
Dalton Public Schools - Dalton Middle School
Dalton GA
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 02-09-2017 13:17
From: Rachel Snow
Subject: Musical for Weak Male Singers

Hi everyone! I'm starting to plan for our next musical, but my challenge is that I have only about 6 boys I can count on to audition next year, and unless we get a ringer to come out of the woodwork, they are very weak singers (real challenges with staying on pitch solo).Two of those 2 boys can stay on pitch solo, and may be able to be trained, but 1 of them is very reluctant to sing solo. I have some solid female singers, and I was considering Annie because it's so female heavy, but I'm not sure it has enough appeal to teenagers to get them in the door. Also, I only have 8 body mics with no current budget to buy more, so I'm limited as to how many different characters can have solos (we often have to have kids trade mics during the show when possible).

What musicals have you done that have been easy for weak male singers playing leads and have enough rewarding parts for women, while also having enough mass appeal to a teenage audience.

Thanks!

------------------------------
Rachel Snow
Drama and Technical Theater Teacher
Alhambra High School
Alhambra CA
------------------------------

Hello,

I would not discount Annie quickly.  We did it Fall 2015 and had some of our best crowds ever for our three performances!  Although Warbucks has several solos, most can almost be a combination of singing and speaking in rhythm.  I encourage you to at least keep it on your list of possibilities.

Good luck with whatever you choose,

Ken Robinson

------------------------------
Kenneth Robinson
Drama Club Sponsor
Wapahani High School
Selma IN
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 02-09-2017 13:17
From: Rachel Snow
Subject: Musical for Weak Male Singers

Hi everyone! I'm starting to plan for our next musical, but my challenge is that I have only about 6 boys I can count on to audition next year, and unless we get a ringer to come out of the woodwork, they are very weak singers (real challenges with staying on pitch solo).Two of those 2 boys can stay on pitch solo, and may be able to be trained, but 1 of them is very reluctant to sing solo. I have some solid female singers, and I was considering Annie because it's so female heavy, but I'm not sure it has enough appeal to teenagers to get them in the door. Also, I only have 8 body mics with no current budget to buy more, so I'm limited as to how many different characters can have solos (we often have to have kids trade mics during the show when possible).

What musicals have you done that have been easy for weak male singers playing leads and have enough rewarding parts for women, while also having enough mass appeal to a teenage audience.

Thanks!

------------------------------
Rachel Snow
Drama and Technical Theater Teacher
Alhambra High School
Alhambra CA
------------------------------

Dear Edwina. I've done the Jr version, and Scott has a solo which he could speak-sing if he HAD to, and most of the other characters can easily be girls. Very flexible cast size. 

------------------------------
Dianne Rowe
Birmingham AL
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 02-10-2017 07:49
From: Kenneth Robinson
Subject: Musical for Weak Male Singers

Hello,

I would not discount Annie quickly.  We did it Fall 2015 and had some of our best crowds ever for our three performances!  Although Warbucks has several solos, most can almost be a combination of singing and speaking in rhythm.  I encourage you to at least keep it on your list of possibilities.

Good luck with whatever you choose,

Ken Robinson

------------------------------
Kenneth Robinson
Drama Club Sponsor
Wapahani High School
Selma IN
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 02-09-2017 13:17
From: Rachel Snow
Subject: Musical for Weak Male Singers

Hi everyone! I'm starting to plan for our next musical, but my challenge is that I have only about 6 boys I can count on to audition next year, and unless we get a ringer to come out of the woodwork, they are very weak singers (real challenges with staying on pitch solo).Two of those 2 boys can stay on pitch solo, and may be able to be trained, but 1 of them is very reluctant to sing solo. I have some solid female singers, and I was considering Annie because it's so female heavy, but I'm not sure it has enough appeal to teenagers to get them in the door. Also, I only have 8 body mics with no current budget to buy more, so I'm limited as to how many different characters can have solos (we often have to have kids trade mics during the show when possible).

What musicals have you done that have been easy for weak male singers playing leads and have enough rewarding parts for women, while also having enough mass appeal to a teenage audience.

Thanks!

------------------------------
Rachel Snow
Drama and Technical Theater Teacher
Alhambra High School
Alhambra CA
------------------------------

Some great suggestions on here. Also, you might consider 13-The Musical...very forgiving. Good luck!

------------------------------
Garry Tiller
Theatre Arts Teaching Artist
Hawaii Independent Schools
Honolulu, HI
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 02-10-2017 09:02
From: Dianne Rowe
Subject: Musical for Weak Male Singers

Dear Edwina. I've done the Jr version, and Scott has a solo which he could speak-sing if he HAD to, and most of the other characters can easily be girls. Very flexible cast size. 

------------------------------
Dianne Rowe
Birmingham AL
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 02-10-2017 07:49
From: Kenneth Robinson
Subject: Musical for Weak Male Singers

Hello,

I would not discount Annie quickly.  We did it Fall 2015 and had some of our best crowds ever for our three performances!  Although Warbucks has several solos, most can almost be a combination of singing and speaking in rhythm.  I encourage you to at least keep it on your list of possibilities.

Good luck with whatever you choose,

Ken Robinson

------------------------------
Kenneth Robinson
Drama Club Sponsor
Wapahani High School
Selma IN
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 02-09-2017 13:17
From: Rachel Snow
Subject: Musical for Weak Male Singers

Hi everyone! I'm starting to plan for our next musical, but my challenge is that I have only about 6 boys I can count on to audition next year, and unless we get a ringer to come out of the woodwork, they are very weak singers (real challenges with staying on pitch solo).Two of those 2 boys can stay on pitch solo, and may be able to be trained, but 1 of them is very reluctant to sing solo. I have some solid female singers, and I was considering Annie because it's so female heavy, but I'm not sure it has enough appeal to teenagers to get them in the door. Also, I only have 8 body mics with no current budget to buy more, so I'm limited as to how many different characters can have solos (we often have to have kids trade mics during the show when possible).

What musicals have you done that have been easy for weak male singers playing leads and have enough rewarding parts for women, while also having enough mass appeal to a teenage audience.

Thanks!

------------------------------
Rachel Snow
Drama and Technical Theater Teacher
Alhambra High School
Alhambra CA
------------------------------

Original Message------

Hi everyone! I'm starting to plan for our next musical, but my challenge is that I have only about 6 boys I can count on to audition next year, and unless we get a ringer to come out of the woodwork, they are very weak singers (real challenges with staying on pitch solo).Two of those 2 boys can stay on pitch solo, and may be able to be trained, but 1 of them is very reluctant to sing solo. I have some solid female singers, and I was considering Annie because it's so female heavy, but I'm not sure it has enough appeal to teenagers to get them in the door. Also, I only have 8 body mics with no current budget to buy more, so I'm limited as to how many different characters can have solos (we often have to have kids trade mics during the show when possible).

What musicals have you done that have been easy for weak male singers playing leads and have enough rewarding parts for women, while also having enough mass appeal to a teenage audience.

Thanks!

------------------------------
Rachel Snow
Drama and Technical Theater Teacher
Alhambra High School
Alhambra CA
------------------------------

Some great suggestions so far. But don't forget the Golden Age of Broadway! If you have a powerful leading lady (or two), you can't beat GYPSY for strong female roles; Herbie barely sings, and the "boys" can be played by girls. And FUNNY GIRL is a wonderful showcase for a strong leading female with comic chops.

------------------------------
Jim Colleran
Tams-Witmark
New York, NY
www.tamswitmark.com
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 02-10-2017 18:30
From: Mark Quinlan
Subject: Musical for Weak Male Singers

I did ANNIE 4 years ago and it was amazing how many high school kids were huge fans of the show.   There were 3 or 4 kids who did that show, but did not audition the next year because they only wanted to do ANNIE.   It is also a big seller; we ended up turning people away.

As far as other shows, I did THE SOUND OF MUSIC (another big seller) when I was low on male voices. 

 

Mark Quinlan

Theater Director, Head Speech Coach

Centennial High School

763-792-5099

finearts@isd12.org