Play Suggestions: I am Looking for a Large Cast Comedy

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I am Looking for a Large Cast Comedy

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Category: Producing Theater
Forum Name: Play Suggestions
Forum Discription: Need help finding a show that's right for your theater? Ask here.
URL: http://www.communitytheater.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1787
Printed Date: 5/02/24 at 9:55pm
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Topic: I am Looking for a Large Cast Comedy

Posted By: Martin
Subject: I am Looking for a Large Cast Comedy
Date Posted: 4/06/06 at 11:32am

I am a high school drama director, planning my next year's
theatre season, and am looking for a large cast, non-musical,
comedy or murder mystery (15+ 20+ roles). I am currently in
rehearsals for Once Upon a Mattress, and recent projects have
included: Our Town, Hello Dolly, Pride and Prejudice, A Murder
is Announced, Anything Goes. I have a talented group of young
actors and actresses here, who enjoy a good challenge. Any
suggestions for large cast comedies (non-musical) or murder
mysteries would be gratefully appreciated.
Many thanks, Martin Collin

Replies:

Posted By: Playwright
Date Posted: 4/06/06 at 1:18pm

The play 'You Can't Take It With You' has a cast of about 16 or 17. It's an old play and might be somewhat dated. It takes place around the depression era in 1930's or so. It has a lot of character roles in it. A girl who dreams of being a ballerina and wears a tutu, a Russian dance teacher who pounds the floor with a walking stjick, a Russian Contessa, G-men., a mother her fancies herself a writer and an artist just to name a few. At the end of one of the acts a whole bunch of 'fireworks' goes off so an opporttunity for some cool FX. They made it into a movie.

Posted By: Topper
Date Posted: 4/06/06 at 2:45pm

"Once in a Lifetime" (also by Kaufman and Hart) has an ENORMOUS cast -- 38 speaking parts! -- many of which can be doubled (or triple-cast).

It takes place in the 1920's when silent movies were switching over to sound -- basically the same plot as "Singin' in the Rain" but without the music.

Three main leads (2 male, 1 female) numerous "character parts" including a Louie B. Mayer-type producer and a Hedda Hopper-like gossip columnist and dozens of one-liners, walk-ons and "extras" (bellhops, cigarette girls, maitre' d's, porters, screenwriters, secretaries and the like.)

It's a lot of fun to do.

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"None of us really grow up. All we ever do is learn how to behave in public." -- Keith Johnstone

Posted By: charlz
Date Posted: 4/06/06 at 11:34pm

Try looking at: Sly Fox (very funny Gelbart at his best), Man Who
Came To Dinner (a classic comedy) -- published by French.
M*A*S*H (the audience liked it), The Somewhat True Tale of Robin
Hood (very funny, a little like Monty Python), Cheaper by the Dozen
(very cute) -- published by Dramatic Publishing. Then there's just
about any version of a Christmas Carol.

Posted By: padfoot13
Date Posted: 4/08/06 at 12:00am

Where can I order a script for "Once in a Lifetime"?

Posted By: Topper
Date Posted: 4/08/06 at 1:32am

"Once in a Lifetime" is available thru Samuel French, Inc.

25 W. 45th Street, New York, NY 10036.

But you may also find it on the shelf at your major public library.

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"None of us really grow up. All we ever do is learn how to behave in public." -- Keith Johnstone

Posted By: Shanahan
Date Posted: 4/10/06 at 11:04pm

Try something new! Mike Legge's ridiculously funny "Shake-A-Spear" combines the Bard with Abbot & Costello, puns, broad visual humor and slapstick. 22 (or so) parts, large and small. Available from JAC Publishing and Promotions.

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Laughter guaranteed. Plays by John Shanahan

http://www.johnshanahan.net
Dinner for Several
One Before Forty
Bob's Date
Brushstroke
Worst Possible Time for Writer's Block
& more!

Posted By: RachelB
Date Posted: 4/19/06 at 8:53pm

Have you looked at the new comedy by the playwright who wrote "Dearly Departed?" The new one is hilarious - I'm a major fan - and is called "Dearly Beloved." Just been published by Dramatists Play Service in NYC. I keep going to the playwright's website - lotsa information there - AND there's a sequel to "Dearly Beloved" that's already scheduled for its world premiere. "Dearly Beloved" rocks! Break a leg! Rachel B