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Hi all, I need a little help.  I need a good musical, large cast (20+), with three or more strong female parts.  I had planned on doing Into the woods next year, but the rights are not available - I have three very strong females and don't want to waste them.  Ideas would be greatly appreciated!

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Jeffrey Davis
Plainsboro NJ
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Once Upon a Mattress comes to mind. Sophisticated humor, fun music, zany plot, and parts for lead girls -- more than most musicals-- Winnefred, Lady Larkin, Queen, several supporting roles, and some male roles that might be played by females.  I have done the show several times and it is always a hit -- especially if you have a Carol Burnett type to play the whacky comedy and belt out "Shy!" 

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Ron Wells
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Original Message:
Sent: 06-03-2014 08:09
From: Jeffrey Davis
Subject: Big cast musical with 3 or more good female parts

Hi all, I need a little help.  I need a good musical, large cast (20+), with three or more strong female parts.  I had planned on doing Into the woods next year, but the rights are not available - I have three very strong females and don't want to waste them.  Ideas would be greatly appreciated!

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Jeffrey Davis
Plainsboro NJ
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What time frame and constraints are you looking at? You might try Xanadu. It does require some kids who can move well (since they're on skates) but has good roles for females. I think Theatrical Rights is who has the rights...?

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Shira Schwartz
Chandler Unified School District
Chandler AZ
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Original Message:
Sent: 06-03-2014 09:13
From: Ron Wells
Subject: Big cast musical with 3 or more good female parts

Once Upon a Mattress comes to mind. Sophisticated humor, fun music, zany plot, and parts for lead girls -- more than most musicals-- Winnefred, Lady Larkin, Queen, several supporting roles, and some male roles that might be played by females.  I have done the show several times and it is always a hit -- especially if you have a Carol Burnett type to play the whacky comedy and belt out "Shy!" 

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Ron Wells
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Original Message:
Sent: 06-03-2014 08:09
From: Jeffrey Davis
Subject: Big cast musical with 3 or more good female parts

Hi all, I need a little help.  I need a good musical, large cast (20+), with three or more strong female parts.  I had planned on doing Into the woods next year, but the rights are not available - I have three very strong females and don't want to waste them.  Ideas would be greatly appreciated!

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Jeffrey Davis
Plainsboro NJ
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I just realized you said BIG cast. Sorry. Xandu is not that big. Aida? There are 3 girls with solos but only 2 of them are "big" parts. It does call for a reasonably large ensemble though. Maybe Oklahoma!?

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Shira Schwartz
Chandler Unified School District
Chandler AZ
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Original Message:
Sent: 06-03-2014 13:56
From: Shira Schwartz
Subject: Big cast musical with 3 or more good female parts

What time frame and constraints are you looking at? You might try Xanadu. It does require some kids who can move well (since they're on skates) but has good roles for females. I think Theatrical Rights is who has the rights...?

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Shira Schwartz
Chandler Unified School District
Chandler AZ
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Original Message:
Sent: 06-03-2014 09:13
From: Ron Wells
Subject: Big cast musical with 3 or more good female parts

Once Upon a Mattress comes to mind. Sophisticated humor, fun music, zany plot, and parts for lead girls -- more than most musicals-- Winnefred, Lady Larkin, Queen, several supporting roles, and some male roles that might be played by females.  I have done the show several times and it is always a hit -- especially if you have a Carol Burnett type to play the whacky comedy and belt out "Shy!" 

-------------------------------------------
Ron Wells
-------------------------------------------






Original Message:
Sent: 06-03-2014 08:09
From: Jeffrey Davis
Subject: Big cast musical with 3 or more good female parts

Hi all, I need a little help.  I need a good musical, large cast (20+), with three or more strong female parts.  I had planned on doing Into the woods next year, but the rights are not available - I have three very strong females and don't want to waste them.  Ideas would be greatly appreciated!

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Jeffrey Davis
Plainsboro NJ
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Some of my favorites are Crazy for You (There's Polly, Bela and Irene ) with a huge ensemble cast and Seusical (With Gertrude, Mayzie, The Sour Kangaroo and Jojo could also be played by a girl). But there's also Les Mis, Bye Bye Birdie, The Drowsy Chaperone, Legally Blonde, even Anything Goes!
Hope that helps(:
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Rachel Gatewood
McKinney TX
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Original Message:
Sent: 06-03-2014 08:09
From: Jeffrey Davis
Subject: Big cast musical with 3 or more good female parts

Hi all, I need a little help.  I need a good musical, large cast (20+), with three or more strong female parts.  I had planned on doing Into the woods next year, but the rights are not available - I have three very strong females and don't want to waste them.  Ideas would be greatly appreciated!

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Jeffrey Davis
Plainsboro NJ
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What about 9 to 5? A school in our area recently did the show with a large cast, and there are 3 strong female roles. Just a thought! ------------------------------------------- Denise Connor English/Drama Teacher Montoursville PA -------------------------------------------
Original Message: Sent: 06-03-2014 08:09 From: Jeffrey Davis Subject: Big cast musical with 3 or more good female parts Hi all, I need a little help. I need a good musical, large cast (20+), with three or more strong female parts. I had planned on doing Into the woods next year, but the rights are not available - I have three very strong females and don't want to waste them. Ideas would be greatly appreciated! ------------------------------------------- Jeffrey Davis Plainsboro NJ -------------------------------------------

Here are some suggestions:

• Me and My Girl
• Curtains
• Thoroughly Modern Millie
• No, No, Nanette
• Hello Dolly

Best,
Ruben

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Ruben Van Kempen
Washington
Seattle Public Schools
Seattle WA
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Original Message:
Sent: 06-03-2014 21:33
From: Denise Connor
Subject: Big cast musical with 3 or more good female parts


What about 9 to 5? A school in our area recently did the show with a large cast, and there are 3 strong female roles. Just a thought!
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Denise Connor
English/Drama Teacher
Montoursville PA
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I did Into the Woods a couple of years ago, the full version, and it was fun.  Little Shop of Horrors has strong female singers (especially the doo-who girls). 

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Richard Cohan
Teacher/Theatre Director
Fairview Park City Schools
Olmsted Falls OH
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Original Message:
Sent: 06-03-2014 08:09
From: Jeffrey Davis
Subject: Big cast musical with 3 or more good female parts

Hi all, I need a little help.  I need a good musical, large cast (20+), with three or more strong female parts.  I had planned on doing Into the woods next year, but the rights are not available - I have three very strong females and don't want to waste them.  Ideas would be greatly appreciated!

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Jeffrey Davis
Plainsboro NJ
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"Thoroughly Modern Millie!" Cast can be huge. Millie needs a strong vocal mix, Miss Dorothy Brown needs to have easily accessible high notes and Muzzy needs low notes/torch song qualities. All three have a chance to shine. I had amazing girls for all three this year and it was a blast to produce.

"Once Upon a Mattress" also allows Winnifred, Lady Larken & Queen Aggravain to shine in their own unique ways.
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Suzanne Livesay
7-12 Grade Theatre Director
Orlando FL
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Original Message:
Sent: 06-04-2014 07:34
From: Craig Cohan
Subject: Big cast musical with 3 or more good female parts

I did Into the Woods a couple of years ago, the full version, and it was fun.  Little Shop of Horrors has strong female singers (especially the doo-who girls). 

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Richard Cohan
Teacher/Theatre Director
Fairview Park City Schools
Olmsted Falls OH
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Original Message:
Sent: 06-03-2014 08:09
From: Jeffrey Davis
Subject: Big cast musical with 3 or more good female parts

Hi all, I need a little help.  I need a good musical, large cast (20+), with three or more strong female parts.  I had planned on doing Into the woods next year, but the rights are not available - I have three very strong females and don't want to waste them.  Ideas would be greatly appreciated!

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Jeffrey Davis
Plainsboro NJ
-------------------------------------------

My kids and I just finished The Drowsy Chaperone and we had a blast!  There are definitely more than 3 strong roles for women.  It's also got strong male roles - even one for a non-singing guy.  And, the ensemble is fun and gets to be creative.  There are some dance requirements, but they're more fun than difficult if you work through them.  We continue to get lots of praise for this performance even though we did the show in early April.  I think it came off so well because we enjoyed working on it so much!

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Cyndi LeDoux
Maryland
Waldorf MD
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Original Message:
Sent: 06-03-2014 08:09
From: Jeffrey Davis
Subject: Big cast musical with 3 or more good female parts

Hi all, I need a little help.  I need a good musical, large cast (20+), with three or more strong female parts.  I had planned on doing Into the woods next year, but the rights are not available - I have three very strong females and don't want to waste them.  Ideas would be greatly appreciated!

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Jeffrey Davis
Plainsboro NJ
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We did Chicago this year.  The rights are through Samuel French.  It does have three female leads and one strong male lead.

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Nancy Gibson
Theatre Director
Garland ISD
Garland TX
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Original Message:
Sent: 06-03-2014 08:09
From: Jeffrey Davis
Subject: Big cast musical with 3 or more good female parts

Hi all, I need a little help.  I need a good musical, large cast (20+), with three or more strong female parts.  I had planned on doing Into the woods next year, but the rights are not available - I have three very strong females and don't want to waste them.  Ideas would be greatly appreciated!

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Jeffrey Davis
Plainsboro NJ
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Awesome responses!  Thanks.  This is for next March.  We like challenging shows, though I tailor the challenge to be a little beyond the general level of my anticipated cast. Past shows have included West Side Story, Fiddler, Drood, Music Man, Guys & Dolls, Urinetown, Zombie Prom, Forum, Pirates of Penzance.  The last two years were WSS & Fiddler.  We have a very capable cast in the pipeline for next year.  Strongly considering Les Mis, Chicago, Anything Goes - maybe R&H's Cinderella? Wizard of Oz (the version with the rotating bridge - though my set guy seems to think we need a ton of money to make a set for this show...)
Thoughts?

Jeff Davis

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Jeffrey Davis
Plainsboro NJ
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Original Message:
Sent: 06-04-2014 08:19
From: Nancy Gibson
Subject: Big cast musical with 3 or more good female parts

We did Chicago this year.  The rights are through Samuel French.  It does have three female leads and one strong male lead.

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Nancy Gibson
Theatre Director
Garland ISD
Garland TX
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Original Message:
Sent: 06-03-2014 08:09
From: Jeffrey Davis
Subject: Big cast musical with 3 or more good female parts

Hi all, I need a little help.  I need a good musical, large cast (20+), with three or more strong female parts.  I had planned on doing Into the woods next year, but the rights are not available - I have three very strong females and don't want to waste them.  Ideas would be greatly appreciated!

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Jeffrey Davis
Plainsboro NJ
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I think one of the best shows when you have lots of strong females is Fiddler on the Roof.  You have Golde, the daughters, Yente ... lots of juicy roles!  But perhaps you've been there, done that.

Another great choice is Jane Eyre.  It's been my favorite musical we've ever done.  Great roles for lyric singers, no belting necessary!  Jane, Bertha, Mrs. Fairfax, Blanche Ingram, Aunt Reed, Adele, Helen Burns ... all great roles.  You do need a very strong male for Edward.  There are lots of smaller roles for the girls at Lowood School who can also double as party guests later.  

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Kelly Goley
Charlotte NC
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Original Message:
Sent: 06-03-2014 08:09
From: Jeffrey Davis
Subject: Big cast musical with 3 or more good female parts

Hi all, I need a little help.  I need a good musical, large cast (20+), with three or more strong female parts.  I had planned on doing Into the woods next year, but the rights are not available - I have three very strong females and don't want to waste them.  Ideas would be greatly appreciated!

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Jeffrey Davis
Plainsboro NJ
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Fiddler
Boyfriend
Legally Blonde
but the most fun I've had directing such a show is: Thoroughly Modern Millie.  It's brilliant!

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Josh Ruben
Fine Arts Head
Chattanooga TN
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Original Message:
Sent: 06-03-2014 08:09
From: Jeffrey Davis
Subject: Big cast musical with 3 or more good female parts

Hi all, I need a little help.  I need a good musical, large cast (20+), with three or more strong female parts.  I had planned on doing Into the woods next year, but the rights are not available - I have three very strong females and don't want to waste them.  Ideas would be greatly appreciated!

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Jeffrey Davis
Plainsboro NJ
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Hi Jeffrey,

If you'd like to look at CURTAINS or ALL SHOOK UP, I'd be happy to e-mail a complimentary perusal script to you (or anyone else). They each feature 5 female leads and 10+ chorus numbers, providing a lot of work for a large cast. You can read more about them and listen to song samples on the TRW website, www.theatricalrights.com. You can contact me directly at licensing@theatricalrights.com.

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Jim Hoare
Director of Licensing
TRW
New York NY
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Original Message:
Sent: 06-03-2014 08:09
From: Jeffrey Davis
Subject: Big cast musical with 3 or more good female parts

Hi all, I need a little help.  I need a good musical, large cast (20+), with three or more strong female parts.  I had planned on doing Into the woods next year, but the rights are not available - I have three very strong females and don't want to waste them.  Ideas would be greatly appreciated!

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Jeffrey Davis
Plainsboro NJ
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We did R&H's Cinderella (Enchanted version) this past April. I like the Enchanted version because it's more comedic. Strong female leads include Cinderella, Stepmother, two Step-sisters. The queen doesn't have a ton of lines but does have a song with the king and a few song lines with the prince. This version can be so over the top! We had a blast! I would check on licensing right away because they're a little stingy with the rights to do it because it's on tour right now. ------------------------------------------- Connie Sandoz Theatre Director Henderson NV -------------------------------------------
Original Message: Sent: 06-03-2014 08:09 From: Jeffrey Davis Subject: Big cast musical with 3 or more good female parts Hi all, I need a little help. I need a good musical, large cast (20+), with three or more strong female parts. I had planned on doing Into the woods next year, but the rights are not available - I have three very strong females and don't want to waste them. Ideas would be greatly appreciated! ------------------------------------------- Jeffrey Davis Plainsboro NJ -------------------------------------------

We did Thoroughly Modern Millie a few years ago and it was a blast.  Great roles for multiple women.  Fantastic possibilities for an ensemble cast.  It is a winner.

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Dana Milne
Tucson AZ
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Original Message:
Sent: 06-03-2014 08:09
From: Jeffrey Davis
Subject: Big cast musical with 3 or more good female parts

Hi all, I need a little help.  I need a good musical, large cast (20+), with three or more strong female parts.  I had planned on doing Into the woods next year, but the rights are not available - I have three very strong females and don't want to waste them.  Ideas would be greatly appreciated!

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Jeffrey Davis
Plainsboro NJ
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The Drowsy Chaperone
Legally Blonde
Oklahoma
Carousel
Hello Dolly
Fiddler on the Roof

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Gail Bartell
Altamonte Springs FL
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Original Message:
Sent: 06-03-2014 08:09
From: Jeffrey Davis
Subject: Big cast musical with 3 or more good female parts

Hi all, I need a little help.  I need a good musical, large cast (20+), with three or more strong female parts.  I had planned on doing Into the woods next year, but the rights are not available - I have three very strong females and don't want to waste them.  Ideas would be greatly appreciated!

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Jeffrey Davis
Plainsboro NJ
-------------------------------------------

I directed THE PAJAMA GAME about five years ago and had a blast.  It was the perfect fit for my students which had many strong females in the ranks.  The characters of Babe, Mabel and Gladys are excellent leading characters. In addition, there are wonderful supporting players who work in the factory:  Mae, Poopsie, Brenda, Virginia, and others.  Lots of opportunities for solos and dialogue to be spread amongst your cast. 

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Adam Pankow
West Fargo Sheyenne High School
West Fargo, ND
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Original Message:
Sent: 06-03-2014 08:09
From: Jeffrey Davis
Subject: Big cast musical with 3 or more good female parts

Hi all, I need a little help.  I need a good musical, large cast (20+), with three or more strong female parts.  I had planned on doing Into the woods next year, but the rights are not available - I have three very strong females and don't want to waste them.  Ideas would be greatly appreciated!

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Jeffrey Davis
Plainsboro NJ
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