Do the show...it's a classic and a worthwhile learning experience.
Yes ,the orchestra parts are beyond most high school musicians. Tracks or professionals sitting alongside students would be possible solutions. If the program is a theatre program producing the show, then I don't see the obligation to use only student musicians. The actors need and deserve the strongest pit possible. If this is a music department production, then I understand the difficulty of the score being a relevant factor and would suggest you truthfully assess the abilities of the instrumental musicians. I've worked in both situations and therefore my criteria for show selection varies.
Diversity of student body doesn't have to be a factor. I've directed RAGTIME with only 1 African-American in the cast even though the cast is 1/3 African-Americans, 1/3 White Anglo-Saxon Protestants, and 1/3 Jewish Immigrants. How did I do this? Each group was color coded, Africans-Red, WASPs-White, Immigrants-BLUE. Costumes or lighting were the "colorizers" (not sure if this is even a word). In theatre, your first 10 minutes of a show sets the "beliefs" the show demands before it's plot unfolds and the 9-minute Prologue allowed me to establish the "color" scheme. (It makes a wonderful ending of the show when the new, integrated family involves the blending of Red, White, and Blue, a connection with America's flag.) When seeing a performance of 110 In the Shade on Broadway a number of years ago, the suspension of ethnic casting was unnoticed (involving Audra McDonald ).
I've done the show twice, one time in a 19-day summer program (including auditions and tech rehearsals) with a minimal set and in a community blackbox theatre production. If leads are musically skilled, then the show is not that challenging vocally and costuming shouldn't be too difficult. Dance will push the cast, but your choreographer should aim for a "clean" less involved dances rather than "sloppy" attempts at replicating professionals. The story can still be effectively revealed with simpler steps.
And an added plus is that your English department can use your performance as a comparative lesson with the Shakespeare original thereby building audience size
I say go for it.
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David Kramer
Mt Sinai NY
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Original Message:
Sent: 05-05-2018 16:22
From: Kayla Diaz
Subject: West Side Story challenges?
Hello!
Looking at West Side Story for my musical next year, HS level. I've gathered that the orchestral arrangement is very difficult and we might be better off with tracks. I also know choreo is a feat. What other challenges does this show present for high schoolers? Is a lack of diversity a deal breaker? Any advice is appreciated!
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Kayla Diaz
Castle Rock CO
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