Open Forum

Hey all,

For once, I'm going to have a decent number of guys next year. In fact, three of my guy seniors are AMAZING. They sing, play instruments, are great actors, and are genuinely wonderful to work with. I'd like to show off the three of them but also still provide good opportunities for the girls. So, something like Spamalot, while fun, isn't a great option. I know Guys and Dolls would be an obvious suggestion, but I tend to pick shows a little more off the beaten path. I teach in a somewhat conservative community, but I'm able to push the envelope a little bit. Any suggestions? Thanks!

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Cassy Maxton-Whitacre
Theatre, Film, and Communications Instructor
Shenandoah Valley Governor's School
Fishersville, VA
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Ug, I meant females. It won't let me edit the title.

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Cassy Maxton-Whitacre
Theatre, Film, and Communications Instructor
Shenandoah Valley Governor's School
Fishersville, VA
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Curtains

Fiddler on the Roof

Children of Eden

Drowsy Chaperone

These have been some of my well balanced cast favorites.

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Jill Campbell
Gifted Support Teacher/Thespian Director (retired)
PA
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I've always loved the musical Oliver! which has a good number of male roles.

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Hans Offenfrish
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Guys and Dolls is definitely a strong one to feature guys and girls. Love this show, but also take a look at:

The Music Man

Hello Dolly!

Godspell 

Fiddler on the Roof

All of these have a great mix of guy and girl leads and good ensembles. We had a lot of fun and much success with all of these shows.

Best of luck!

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Jillian Lietzau
Lutheran High School
CO
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Thanks for the suggestions so far. I love Godspell and Children of Eden, but I'm not comfortable doing religious pieces in public school. I should also mention that there are six high schools and four community theatres in the area with active musical programs, so I definitely need something that is underdone or less well-known and hasn't been done in the area recently. So, keep the rec's coming! :-)

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Cassy Maxton-Whitacre
Theatre, Film, and Communications Instructor
Shenandoah Valley Governor's School
Fishersville, VA
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What about Tarzan? We had some very strong guys this year- we open in 2 weeks, and it's been such a fun show to put together! We are the first school in our area to stage the show in about 15 years, as far as we can tell, so at least in the upper Midwest, it's not overdone.  

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Wendy Bixby
#fvlhsmt
Appleton, WI
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Original Message:
Sent: 02-21-2025 09:16
From: Cassy Maxton-Whitacre
Subject: Musicals with Equally strong males and femals

Thanks for the suggestions so far. I love Godspell and Children of Eden, but I'm not comfortable doing religious pieces in public school. I should also mention that there are six high schools and four community theatres in the area with active musical programs, so I definitely need something that is underdone or less well-known and hasn't been done in the area recently. So, keep the rec's coming! :-)

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Cassy Maxton-Whitacre
Theatre, Film, and Communications Instructor
Shenandoah Valley Governor's School
Fishersville, VA
------------------------------

Look at “Like You Like It” As You Like It musical set in the 80’s. Almost all the characters are high school age.
Craig Holbrook


Original Message:
Sent: 2/21/2025 9:16:00 AM
From: Cassy Maxton-Whitacre
Subject: RE: Musicals with Equally strong males and femals

Thanks for the suggestions so far. I love Godspell and Children of Eden, but I'm not comfortable doing religious pieces in public school. I should also mention that there are six high schools and four community theatres in the area with active musical programs, so I definitely need something that is underdone or less well-known and hasn't been done in the area recently. So, keep the rec's coming! :-)

------------------------------
Cassy Maxton-Whitacre
Theatre, Film, and Communications Instructor
Shenandoah Valley Governor's School
Fishersville, VA
------------------------------

Oh wow - thank you for the recommendation!

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Sammy Buck
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Original Message:
Sent: 02-22-2025 15:20
From: Craig Holbrook
Subject: Musicals with Equally strong males and femals

Look at "Like You Like It" As You Like It musical set in the 80's. Almost all the characters are high school age.
Craig Holbrook



Original Message:
Sent: 2/21/2025 9:16:00 AM
From: Cassy Maxton-Whitacre
Subject: RE: Musicals with Equally strong males and femals

Thanks for the suggestions so far. I love Godspell and Children of Eden, but I'm not comfortable doing religious pieces in public school. I should also mention that there are six high schools and four community theatres in the area with active musical programs, so I definitely need something that is underdone or less well-known and hasn't been done in the area recently. So, keep the rec's coming! :-)

------------------------------
Cassy Maxton-Whitacre
Theatre, Film, and Communications Instructor
Shenandoah Valley Governor's School
Fishersville, VA
------------------------------

You should look at Shaina Taub's musicals for the Public Theatre's PublicWorks programs. I did As You Like It a couple of years ago and it was terrific. It's definitely off the beaten path, but you do need some diversity in your cast.

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Katie Blackerby Weible
Theatre Dept Chair
Youth Performing Arts School
Louisville KY
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Katie,

I have a couple of Shaina Taub's titles on my to-read list, so it's great to hear your positive recommendation! I have a little bit of diversity (yay!), so I'll take a look and see if the any of the scripts match my population.

Thank you!

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Cassy Maxton-Whitacre
Theatre, Film, and Communications Instructor
Shenandoah Valley Governor's School
Fishersville, VA
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 02-22-2025 09:30
From: Katherine Weible
Subject: Musicals with Equally strong males and femals

You should look at Shaina Taub's musicals for the Public Theatre's PublicWorks programs. I did As You Like It a couple of years ago and it was terrific. It's definitely off the beaten path, but you do need some diversity in your cast.

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Katie Blackerby Weible
Theatre Dept Chair
Youth Performing Arts School
Louisville KY
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South Pacific -

3 strong male leads: Emile, Lt. Cable, Billis; full complement of SeeBees,, multiple supporting roles

2 strong female leads: Nellie, Bloody Mary; full complement of nurses, some featured

Topical too: anti-discrimination, anti children being taught to hate.

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Douglas Fox
Theatre Educator, retired.
NC
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For something different, you might consider The Last Starfighter, based on the cult classic film.

Cheers,
Jonathan

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Playwright/Managing Partner of YouthPLAYS
Los Angeles, CA
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Maybe Urinetown? Cladwell, Lockstock and Bobby Strong are all great for showing off the boys, and Hope, Pennywise and Little Sally for the girls, plus a lot of other smaller roles. 

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Ken Buswell
Drama Teacher
Peachtree City, GA
http://mcintoshtheater.org/

Theater kills ignorance
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I LOVE Urinetown! I directed it in 2010, but maybe it's time for a repeat. :-)

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Cassy Maxton-Whitacre
Theatre, Film, and Communications Instructor
Shenandoah Valley Governor's School
Fishersville, VA
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 02-23-2025 16:22
From: Ken Buswell
Subject: Musicals with Equally strong males and femals

Maybe Urinetown? Cladwell, Lockstock and Bobby Strong are all great for showing off the boys, and Hope, Pennywise and Little Sally for the girls, plus a lot of other smaller roles. 

------------------------------
Ken Buswell
Drama Teacher
Peachtree City, GA
http://mcintoshtheater.org/

Theater kills ignorance
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 2/24/2025 11:07:00 AM
From: Cassy Maxton-Whitacre
Subject: RE: Musicals with Equally strong males and femals

I LOVE Urinetown! I directed it in 2010, but maybe it's time for a repeat. :-)

------------------------------
Cassy Maxton-Whitacre
Theatre, Film, and Communications Instructor
Shenandoah Valley Governor's School
Fishersville, VA
------------------------------

I would love to do Head Over Heels, but I don't think our community is ready, even if I did the school edition. I might propose to direct the full version at the community theatre next year.

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Cassy Maxton-Whitacre
Theatre, Film, and Communications Instructor
Shenandoah Valley Governor's School
Fishersville, VA
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 02-25-2025 08:06
From: Kent Burnham
Subject: Musicals with Equally strong males and femals

Urinetown is one of the best! Timely! I directed for the second time last year and it was a fantastic experience.

We just did Mean Girls and some good opportunities for many actors in that production.

Head Over Heels is better then people think. Take a look at it 

Enjoy the process.

Kent Burnham

(he/him)

Director of Theatre Arts at The Frederick Gunn School

Co-Producing Artistic Director of Connecticut Theatre Exchange

Director, Actor, Theatre Educator, Activist

Actors Equity Association and SAG/AFTRA

646-460-3666

www.kentburnham.com

Original Message:
Sent: 2/24/2025 11:07:00 AM
From: Cassy Maxton-Whitacre
Subject: RE: Musicals with Equally strong males and femals

I LOVE Urinetown! I directed it in 2010, but maybe it's time for a repeat. :-)

------------------------------
Cassy Maxton-Whitacre
Theatre, Film, and Communications Instructor
Shenandoah Valley Governor's School
Fishersville, VA
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 02-23-2025 16:22
From: Ken Buswell
Subject: Musicals with Equally strong males and femals

Maybe Urinetown? Cladwell, Lockstock and Bobby Strong are all great for showing off the boys, and Hope, Pennywise and Little Sally for the girls, plus a lot of other smaller roles. 

------------------------------
Ken Buswell
Drama Teacher
Peachtree City, GA
http://mcintoshtheater.org/

Theater kills ignorance