Drop Dead, Juliet! and Postcards from Shakespeare, are both by Allison Williams, and they are both good large cast comedies which really show a lot of love and respect for the source material (Romeo & Juliet in the former, and over half the cannon in the other).
Shakespeare is generally good for large cast productions, if you trim them down. Just did R&J with 22 and Midsummer Night's Dream with 31.
Is double-casting an option? I found that to work quite well in one of our productions last year, where you have a different cast each night on the same play. Slight bear to work out in terms of rehearsal time, but a worthy experiment.
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Phillip Goodchild
Ruskin FL
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Original Message:
Sent: 04-15-2015 10:07
From: Don Zolidis
Subject: Large Cast new plays please!!!
Thanks for the shout-out, Robert!
I also have a play similar to the Samuel French play - The Greek Mythology Olympiaganza, (published by Playscripts) which can be expandable up to 60 or so.
I will point out that the Samuel French play is written by Jay Hopkins and John Hunter, who don't sound Greek to me at all. Whereas Zolidis is Greek, so where do they get off telling the story of my people?
Just kidding. I'm sure their play is great. (Mine's probably better, but I'm sure their play is fine, as an outsider perspective on my culture, you know...)
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Don Zolidis
Cedar Park TX
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Original Message:
Sent: 04-15-2015 07:35
From: Robert Ellis
Subject: Large Cast new plays please!!!
Samuel French has Iliad, Odyssey, and All of Greek Mythology in 99 Minutes or Less. I've been looking for the right mix of kids to do this with, and will probably stage it next year. It was intended for 5 actors with multiple parts, but you can expand the cast substantially.
I have a student-directed production of Don Zolidis's "10 Ways to Survive The Zombie Apocalypse" in rehearsals right now. It calls for 8, but it can be expanded by having multiple groups of survivors, and as many zombies as you want. The directors have 10 kids in a zombie ensemble that is to die for...(sorry, couldn't resist!)
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Robert Ellis
North Richmond VA
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Original Message:
Sent: 03-29-2015 15:56
From: Lorie Baldwin
Subject: Large Cast new plays please!!!
Hi! Does anyone have suggestions for a larger cast play that is either a comedy, murder mystery or holiday show? Our audience responds and shows up in droves for those! We did Lend me a Tenor this year and it was a great hit---but it was such a small cast I would like to offer more parts. (10-15) We did Neil Simon's FoOls a few years back and got a very disappointing amount of patrons. I dont know why---I love Neil Simon. I am not really interested in old chestnuts like Pride and Prejudice, You Cant Take it With you or Harvey at this point. ....or anyting too abstract like Metamorphosis. NO offense---I just dont think (after 21 years doing this) these would take off here. We've done Dracula, Any Number can Die, 13 Past Midnight, Almost Maine, It's a Wonderful Life Radio Show, Christmas Carol, Seussification of Romeo and Juliet....all big hits. Anyone have another favorite to share?
Can someone help me with some new suggestions for straight plays?
Also, how do you get your school (or dont you) to pay for attending the Nebraska Teachers Conference in October? I would love to attend but I live in PA and it's quite expensive. I dont think my school would shell out that much for one teacher. Any tips would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks again---love this forum and all your expertise!
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Lorie Baldwin
High School Theater Teacher and Director at Lawrence HS in Lawrenceville NJ
Richboro PA
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