There have been excellent suggestions made here.
When I directed
You're a Good Man Charlie Brown several years ago, I expanded the cast with other identifiable Shultz characters such as Peppermint Patty, Pigpen, Marcy, and Frieda, who sang and danced in all the big musical numbers. I also put them in all sorts of other scenes: In the lunch scene, I had them eating in groups or pairs, etc. which emphasized that Charlie was eating by himself. In the baseball scene, they were spectators, reacting to the game. There were numerous crosses (ie. with Valentines) for each of them as well. Many of these minor characters came out and got leads the next musical, partly because of that experience, since they had to develop a well rounded character, sing in harmonies, etc. If they work at their craft, they will learn a great deal.
I also had a Woodstock, and then several smaller Woodstock type birds that followed her everywhere. These could be your non-singers, if necessary. The audience (especially the children) loved them and their antics.
On the plus side, there is only one costume for each character in this show.
Your six leads will get a great deal of stage time. For the minor, added characters, this will be an important beginning. The girl who played Peppermint Patty continued to get good roles in our straight plays and then was one of the urchins in
Little Shop, and her senior year played Adelaide in
Guys and Dolls. She is currently majoring in musical theatre in college. The girl who played Marcy went on to play Dorothy in
Wizard of Oz, Audrey in
Little Shop, and her senior year played Sarah in
Guys and Dolls; she is working as a stage manager for several theatres as she attends college. The lesson I learned, if a student cares, they will learn from playing a minor (even added) character.
Also, the year we did
Wizard, I approached a student who was not going to tryout and asked why? She had no real reason (maybe didn't think there was a role for her?), so she came forward and auditioned. She got the part of the Wicked Witch and had a ball doing the show! Don't be afraid to ask some students why they are not interested in doing the musical, they may not have a reason.
Good luck with whatever direction you go.
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Valerie Farschman, Drama Director
MLS Theatre Company, Troupe 1422
Marion L Steele High School
Amherst, Ohio
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Original Message:
Sent: 08-29-2018 19:56
From: Arden Thomas
Subject: Only 13 students signed up to be in the spring musical ...
We are a small school, and last year I had 16 students in Peter and the Starcatcher. So I thought I'd get 20-25 this year, and I chose Big Fish! But ... kids graduated, strong 9th graders didn't come in ... and I only have 13 kids interested in the musical. That doesn't seem big enough to me for Big Fish. What do you think?
Can you think of musicals that feel great for only 13 kids? Only 4 of them have sung in choirs before; a few have done church choir but they can't read music; and we have 5 weeks of 45 minutes/day devoted to music before we start rehearsals. I have two seniors - one male, one female - who want to major in musical theater, so I want to give them both awesome roles.
Thank you!
Arden
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Arden Thomas
Sequoyah High School
Pasadena CA
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