Open Forum

Hello,
I would like to do a musical next year for my singer heavy advanced drama class.  They are mostly females with differing vocal ranges.  We are confined to a small micro theatre for the next two years while our new performing arts centre is built.  Since it looks like I will be doing it in early December, a holidayish theme would also be nice.  
Thanks,
John

------------------------------
John Rowe
Theatre Teacher, Advisor Washington Street Players
Independent School District of Boise
Boise ID
------------------------------

This doesn't fit your holiday requirement, but look at Dear Edwina. It's charming and fun with lots of featured moments.

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

Original Message:
Sent: 04-16-2017 02:29
From: John Rowe
Subject: musical for small space, mostly female cast

Hello,
I would like to do a musical next year for my singer heavy advanced drama class.  They are mostly females with differing vocal ranges.  We are confined to a small micro theatre for the next two years while our new performing arts centre is built.  Since it looks like I will be doing it in early December, a holidayish theme would also be nice.  
Thanks,
John

------------------------------
John Rowe
Theatre Teacher, Advisor Washington Street Players
Independent School District of Boise
Boise ID
------------------------------

Wow.  Thanks everyone for the feed back.  I do have one minor correction.   By mostly female cast I mean ALL female cast.  I've got no male singers in my program at the  moment and the choir is too busy.

------------------------------
John Rowe
Theatre Teacher, Advisor Washington Street Players
Independent School District of Boise
Boise ID
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 04-17-2017 07:40
From: Dianne Rowe
Subject: musical for small space, mostly female cast

This doesn't fit your holiday requirement, but look at Dear Edwina. It's charming and fun with lots of featured moments.

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

Original Message:
Sent: 04-16-2017 02:29
From: John Rowe
Subject: musical for small space, mostly female cast

Hello,
I would like to do a musical next year for my singer heavy advanced drama class.  They are mostly females with differing vocal ranges.  We are confined to a small micro theatre for the next two years while our new performing arts centre is built.  Since it looks like I will be doing it in early December, a holidayish theme would also be nice.  
Thanks,
John

------------------------------
John Rowe
Theatre Teacher, Advisor Washington Street Players
Independent School District of Boise
Boise ID
------------------------------

I recommend Quilters. It has historical relevance, can be done in a small space, is all female, and is a beautiful script.

------------------------------
Kathleen McNulty Mann
mcnulkl@bay.k12.fl.us

Arnold High School Theatre
Panama City Beach, FL
Program Director and Thespian Sponsor

Florida Association for Theatre Education
Board Member
Membership Committee Chair
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 04-20-2017 01:45
From: John Rowe
Subject: musical for small space, mostly female cast

Wow.  Thanks everyone for the feed back.  I do have one minor correction.   By mostly female cast I mean ALL female cast.  I've got no male singers in my program at the  moment and the choir is too busy.

------------------------------
John Rowe
Theatre Teacher, Advisor Washington Street Players
Independent School District of Boise
Boise ID
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 04-17-2017 07:40
From: Dianne Rowe
Subject: musical for small space, mostly female cast

This doesn't fit your holiday requirement, but look at Dear Edwina. It's charming and fun with lots of featured moments.

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

Original Message:
Sent: 04-16-2017 02:29
From: John Rowe
Subject: musical for small space, mostly female cast

Hello,
I would like to do a musical next year for my singer heavy advanced drama class.  They are mostly females with differing vocal ranges.  We are confined to a small micro theatre for the next two years while our new performing arts centre is built.  Since it looks like I will be doing it in early December, a holidayish theme would also be nice.  
Thanks,
John

------------------------------
John Rowe
Theatre Teacher, Advisor Washington Street Players
Independent School District of Boise
Boise ID
------------------------------

Not holiday, but A...My Name is Alice?

------------------------------
Heather Cribbs
Theatre Director
New Smyrna Beach High School
New Smyrna Beach, FL
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 04-17-2017 07:40
From: Dianne Rowe
Subject: musical for small space, mostly female cast

This doesn't fit your holiday requirement, but look at Dear Edwina. It's charming and fun with lots of featured moments.

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

Original Message:
Sent: 04-16-2017 02:29
From: John Rowe
Subject: musical for small space, mostly female cast

Hello,
I would like to do a musical next year for my singer heavy advanced drama class.  They are mostly females with differing vocal ranges.  We are confined to a small micro theatre for the next two years while our new performing arts centre is built.  Since it looks like I will be doing it in early December, a holidayish theme would also be nice.  
Thanks,
John

------------------------------
John Rowe
Theatre Teacher, Advisor Washington Street Players
Independent School District of Boise
Boise ID
------------------------------

Hi, I used to be the Drama Teacher at Boise High, oh so many years ago (1984-88) and am thrilled to hear you're getting a new space.  What about "Quilters" as an idea?  I know the Idaho Shakespeare Festival, with whom I also worked at the time, did the show during that late 80's time frame.  I also know The Costume Shop (run by Starr Moxley) used to own all the quilt blocks and the legacy quilt from the ISF show.  I would love to chat with you sometime about where the program is now, I'm sure it's very different.  (jenny.brotherton@scrsd.org)  It's kind of funny, I started my teaching career at Boise High and am close to ending it at Scranton High. 

------------------------------
Jenny Brotherton
Drama Coach-Teacher
Scranton PA
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 04-16-2017 02:29
From: John Rowe
Subject: musical for small space, mostly female cast

Hello,
I would like to do a musical next year for my singer heavy advanced drama class.  They are mostly females with differing vocal ranges.  We are confined to a small micro theatre for the next two years while our new performing arts centre is built.  Since it looks like I will be doing it in early December, a holidayish theme would also be nice.  
Thanks,
John

------------------------------
John Rowe
Theatre Teacher, Advisor Washington Street Players
Independent School District of Boise
Boise ID
------------------------------

The musical version of Little Women fits the holiday season very well. It does have a nice role (or two) for males. 

Best Wishes,

------------------------------
Donnie Bryan
Department Chair for Visual and Performing Arts
Nashville TN
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 04-16-2017 02:29
From: John Rowe
Subject: musical for small space, mostly female cast

Hello,
I would like to do a musical next year for my singer heavy advanced drama class.  They are mostly females with differing vocal ranges.  We are confined to a small micro theatre for the next two years while our new performing arts centre is built.  Since it looks like I will be doing it in early December, a holidayish theme would also be nice.  
Thanks,
John

------------------------------
John Rowe
Theatre Teacher, Advisor Washington Street Players
Independent School District of Boise
Boise ID
------------------------------

I would also recommend Little Women. Another option, although it's been a really long time since I looked at the show, might be Jane Eyre...

------------------------------
Shira Schwartz
Chandler Unified School District
Chandler AZ
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 04-17-2017 10:48
From: Donnie Bryan
Subject: musical for small space, mostly female cast

The musical version of Little Women fits the holiday season very well. It does have a nice role (or two) for males. 

Best Wishes,

------------------------------
Donnie Bryan
Department Chair for Visual and Performing Arts
Nashville TN
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 04-16-2017 02:29
From: John Rowe
Subject: musical for small space, mostly female cast

Hello,
I would like to do a musical next year for my singer heavy advanced drama class.  They are mostly females with differing vocal ranges.  We are confined to a small micro theatre for the next two years while our new performing arts centre is built.  Since it looks like I will be doing it in early December, a holidayish theme would also be nice.  
Thanks,
John

------------------------------
John Rowe
Theatre Teacher, Advisor Washington Street Players
Independent School District of Boise
Boise ID
------------------------------

Steel Spring Productions has a series of shows that are four females. The Marvelous Wonderettes is a delightful musical in which the first act focuses on four high school senior girls and the second act happens during their high school reunion. Full of funny and poignant moments, it features music from the 50's and 60's. The company is very reasonable and you get to keep the scripts and music instead of renting and returning. Their have sequels including A Wonderette Christmas. I have only done the original show, but it was well received with a standing ovation each night and an extra matinee has to be added due to word of mouth excitement about the show.

------------------------------
Jennifer Morgan-Beuchat
Director of Theatre
Leavenworth High School
Kansas Thespians Advocacy Liaison
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 04-16-2017 02:29
From: John Rowe
Subject: musical for small space, mostly female cast

Hello,
I would like to do a musical next year for my singer heavy advanced drama class.  They are mostly females with differing vocal ranges.  We are confined to a small micro theatre for the next two years while our new performing arts centre is built.  Since it looks like I will be doing it in early December, a holidayish theme would also be nice.  
Thanks,
John

------------------------------
John Rowe
Theatre Teacher, Advisor Washington Street Players
Independent School District of Boise
Boise ID
------------------------------

Original Message------

Hello,
I would like to do a musical next year for my singer heavy advanced drama class.  They are mostly females with differing vocal ranges.  We are confined to a small micro theatre for the next two years while our new performing arts centre is built.  Since it looks like I will be doing it in early December, a holidayish theme would also be nice.  
Thanks,
John

------------------------------
John Rowe
Theatre Teacher, Advisor Washington Street Players
Independent School District of Boise
Boise ID
------------------------------

This is not a holiday themed show, but Alonso High School in Tampa did a wonderful production of DISENCHANTED! at the 2017 Florida Thespian Festival, with a cast of 10 women. Someone described it as "The Real Housewives of Ever After." The author of the show, Dennis Giacino, attended the festival and Alonso High School's production became the inspiration for DISENCHANTED! School Edition.

------------------------------
Jim Hoare
New York NY
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 04-16-2017 02:29
From: John Rowe
Subject: musical for small space, mostly female cast

Hello,
I would like to do a musical next year for my singer heavy advanced drama class.  They are mostly females with differing vocal ranges.  We are confined to a small micro theatre for the next two years while our new performing arts centre is built.  Since it looks like I will be doing it in early December, a holidayish theme would also be nice.  
Thanks,
John

------------------------------
John Rowe
Theatre Teacher, Advisor Washington Street Players
Independent School District of Boise
Boise ID
------------------------------

Original Message------

This is not a holiday themed show, but Alonso High School in Tampa did a wonderful production of DISENCHANTED! at the 2017 Florida Thespian Festival, with a cast of 10 women. Someone described it as "The Real Housewives of Ever After." The author of the show, Dennis Giacino, attended the festival and Alonso High School's production became the inspiration for DISENCHANTED! School Edition.

------------------------------
Jim Hoare
New York NY
------------------------------

I would also like to echo The Marvelous Wonderettes.  We did it two years ago, and it was a huge success.  No males are needed, and the audience will love the music.  As stated above, there is a Christmas sequel that might fit your holiday needs.

------------------------------
Trevor Yarbrough
Teacher
Dyer County High School
Newbern TN
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 04-16-2017 02:29
From: John Rowe
Subject: musical for small space, mostly female cast

Hello,
I would like to do a musical next year for my singer heavy advanced drama class.  They are mostly females with differing vocal ranges.  We are confined to a small micro theatre for the next two years while our new performing arts centre is built.  Since it looks like I will be doing it in early December, a holidayish theme would also be nice.  
Thanks,
John

------------------------------
John Rowe
Theatre Teacher, Advisor Washington Street Players
Independent School District of Boise
Boise ID
------------------------------

I just closed Little Women this weekend.  You need a strong girl for Jo as she carries the show and is on stage almost the whole time.  I chose it because I fell in love with the score.  If you have a student orchestra, they need to be pretty strong as the songs are challenging.  But it doesn't require a lot dancing and it was a fun show to put on.  It has a good mix of comedic and serious moments.  You do need a few guys, though to be Laurie, Professor Bhaer, Mr. Brooke, and Mr. Laurence.  The storybook characters can easily be doubled.

------------------------------
Jennifer Gunther
Teacher
Colerain High School
Cincinnati OH
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 04-24-2017 11:48
From: Trevor Yarbrough
Subject: musical for small space, mostly female cast

I would also like to echo The Marvelous Wonderettes.  We did it two years ago, and it was a huge success.  No males are needed, and the audience will love the music.  As stated above, there is a Christmas sequel that might fit your holiday needs.

------------------------------
Trevor Yarbrough
Teacher
Dyer County High School
Newbern TN
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 04-16-2017 02:29
From: John Rowe
Subject: musical for small space, mostly female cast

Hello,
I would like to do a musical next year for my singer heavy advanced drama class.  They are mostly females with differing vocal ranges.  We are confined to a small micro theatre for the next two years while our new performing arts centre is built.  Since it looks like I will be doing it in early December, a holidayish theme would also be nice.  
Thanks,
John

------------------------------
John Rowe
Theatre Teacher, Advisor Washington Street Players
Independent School District of Boise
Boise ID
------------------------------

Have you considered NUNCRACKERS? The show, which is part of the NUNSENSE series, is hilarious and available in two editions: small cast (6 principals plus 4 children) or large cast (12 principals plus a flexible-sized chorus). It's a single-set production, holiday-themed, and lots of fun. One principal role is male, but we've seen that role riotously played by an actress.

If you prefer something darker, I highly recommend CABARET for programs without strong male singers. If you cast a girl as the Emcee, you really won't need any boys who sing, and the chorus is entirely female. Sally Bowles and Fraulein Shneider are excellent roles for strong singer/actors, and the set can be quite simple and intimate. Of course, CABARET does not have a holiday setting, but its themes are as timely as ever.  Good luck!

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

Original Message:
Sent: 04-16-2017 02:29
From: John Rowe
Subject: musical for small space, mostly female cast

Hello,
I would like to do a musical next year for my singer heavy advanced drama class.  They are mostly females with differing vocal ranges.  We are confined to a small micro theatre for the next two years while our new performing arts centre is built.  Since it looks like I will be doing it in early December, a holidayish theme would also be nice.  
Thanks,
John

------------------------------
John Rowe
Theatre Teacher, Advisor Washington Street Players
Independent School District of Boise
Boise ID
------------------------------

Thanks for the continued suggestions.  I've looked into several of them.  I should also mention that all the music will have to be on soundtrack as our band and orchestra have their own performances to work on.

------------------------------
John Rowe
Theatre Teacher, Advisor Washington Street Players
Independent School District of Boise
Boise ID
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 04-16-2017 02:29
From: John Rowe
Subject: musical for small space, mostly female cast

Hello,
I would like to do a musical next year for my singer heavy advanced drama class.  They are mostly females with differing vocal ranges.  We are confined to a small micro theatre for the next two years while our new performing arts centre is built.  Since it looks like I will be doing it in early December, a holidayish theme would also be nice.  
Thanks,
John

------------------------------
John Rowe
Theatre Teacher, Advisor Washington Street Players
Independent School District of Boise
Boise ID
------------------------------