Open Forum

I've seen some great discussions on here about diversity in casting, and I've gotten some awesome show recommendations over the years, so I'm hoping we can weave these two threads together. 

I teach at a predominantly white school in the Shenandoah Valley (Virginia), and this year I have more students of color than I've ever had before. Many of them will still be with me next year, so I'm starting to think about a musical that will showcase all of my students. 

They have asked me about In the Heights, but I just don't feel comfortable doing that show with a majority white cast. I know I can color-blind cast many shows (and I have), but I'd love to find a show where all the roles have not been traditionally played by white actors. I'm looking for suggestions like Hadestown, where the roles have been played by actors of various ethnicities. (I can't do Hadestown because a neighboring school is doing it this year.) I would prefer not to choose a show where a certain character HAS to be played by a certain race but rather shows with casting flexibility.

Am I making sense? Do you have any suggestions?

Please please PLEASE do not do In the Heights at a PWI. That would be like doing Dreamgirls/The Wiz at a PWI. Not good. There are so many musicals out there  where the actors can be of any race. 

The Little Mermaid

Footloose

Doctor Dolittle 

Carrie 

Into the Woods

Working

Chicago

Hello, Dolly!

Once Upon a Mattress

The Music Man

Oliver!

Heathers: The Musical

Cinderella

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Dear Evan Hansen

I've seen some great discussions on here about diversity in casting, and I've gotten some awesome show recommendations over the years, so I'm hoping we can weave these two threads together. 

I teach at a predominantly white school in the Shenandoah Valley (Virginia), and this year I have more students of color than I've ever had before. Many of them will still be with me next year, so I'm starting to think about a musical that will showcase all of my students. 

They have asked me about In the Heights, but I just don't feel comfortable doing that show with a majority white cast. I know I can color-blind cast many shows (and I have), but I'd love to find a show where all the roles have not been traditionally played by white actors. I'm looking for suggestions like Hadestown, where the roles have been played by actors of various ethnicities. (I can't do Hadestown because a neighboring school is doing it this year.) I would prefer not to choose a show where a certain character HAS to be played by a certain race but rather shows with casting flexibility.

Am I making sense? Do you have any suggestions?