7 Musicals I'd Love to See High Schools Perform
While the COVID-19 shutdown sadly canceled many spring high school musicals, it’s never too early to start thinking about next year and what material these schools should select.
When selecting material for high school productions, I always look for a show that has the same attributes: 1. An interesting story. 2. Great music. 3. Juicy roles. 4. Creative design potential.
So here are seven suggestions. Some of these you may have already produced and some you might now know. It should also be mentioned that all of these shows are licensable.
Band Geeks
Plot: With just nine members and dwindling funds, the Cuyahoga High Marching Beavers are close to extinction. When a troubled athlete is relegated to their ranks, Elliott, the tuba-playing band captain and Laura, his best friend, must find a way to unite the band, embrace their inner geek and save the Marching Beavers.
Celebration
Plot: On a magical New Year's Eve, a young Orphan stumbles into the home of the richest man in the world, whose bizarre entourage includes a beautiful fallen Angel. With the Orphan's help, the jaded Mr. Rich regains his humanity, only to find himself locked in ritualistic battle with the youth for the Angel's love.
Violet
Plot: As a girl, Violet was struck by a wayward axe blade when her father was chopping wood, leaving her with a visible scar across her face. With enough money finally saved she's traveling across the Deep South in 1964 towards a miracle – the healing touch of a TV evangelist who will make her beautiful. Although she may not succeed in having the scar on her face healed, Violet is able to repair those scars that are lying deeper than her skin. On the way, she meets a young, African-American soldier whose love for her reaches far past her physical "imperfections”.
Calvin Berger
Plot: Based loosely on Edmond Rostand's play Cyrano de Bergerac, Calvin Berger is the hip and hilarious story of unrequited feelings, love notes, and physical insecurity among four high school seniors.
Pipe Dream
Plot: From the pages of Steinbeck, the drifters and dropouts along Cannery Row spring to life in this uncommon story of love and hope. When Suzy, a homeless girl, is picked up for stealing food, she's taken in by Fauna, the big-hearted Madam of the Bear Flag Café (which is no café at all). Here she meets Doc, a carefree marine biologist, and soon romance is in the air.
Groundhog Day
Plot: How would you spend your time if forced to repeat the same day over and over again? Phil Connors, a seasoned big-city weatherman, is frustrated to be to reporting the annual Groundhog Day Ceremony in small town Punxsutawney, PA. His arrogance and cynicism are in direct opposition to the cheery townsfolk, who are ready for their favorite Groundhog to not see his shadow and welcome an early spring. After disdainfully covering the rodent's negative forecast, he awakens the next day only to discover it's February 2 once more. Initially, in disbelief, Phil finally accepts he is doomed to repeat the same day over and over again…
35mm
Plot: A picture is worth 1,000 words — what about a song? Can a picture inspire a song or fifteen? In 35mm, each photo creates an unique song, moments frozen in time; a glimmer of a life unfolding, a glimpse of something happening. A stunning new multimedia musical which explores a groundbreaking new concept in musical theatre... This intricately woven collection of stories told through song re-imagines what the modern American musical can be.
Photo: Black Box