Hi,

I don't know all of the shows that you have mentioned, but I am familiar with some of them.

I know Cheaper By the Dozen & Meet Me in St. Louis (just the musical version). I would do Cheaper By The Dozen with your age range. Yes, it is funny. It is set at the turn of the century. I think 1910 or there abouts. Lots of parts for lots of kids in a variety of ages. The music in Meet Me in St Louis is so wonderful and people are so familiar with that version, I would save it for when you wanted to do another musical.

I love the Complete Works of Shakespeare, Abridged, but would not do it with middle school and high school students. It only has a cast of 3, who need to have split second timing and a strong background in Shakespeare . . . but that is me.

Good luck with your search.

Linda

I can comment on three of your four choices.

Faith County  - We staged it and it skews more towards an adult cast.  Nothing against your students, but it is clear in the script that the show plays better if the characters are drawn realisticly and that the characters are sincere and honest. They are not to be played as caricatures of Southern Hick per playwrights request. That does not prevent you from staging it only stretching the believability of the characters.

Meet Me In St. Louis - I wasn't aware of a straight play version. I think to musical is probably doable for your age group so the play should be also. Costuming and period pieces would be your biggest challenge, but you know your resources.

Cheaper By The Dozen - Our organization is staging this show this Fall. It is the original story by two of the actual Gilbreth children. it is proper to say that the movie is not like the play. (typical Hollywood) The main feature of the show is the children even though the father is a strong presence he does not dominate the dialogue. Again , the biggest issue is peiod dress and sets.