Thoughts on first musical  
       
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      Topic: Thoughts on first musical
       
      Posted By: Guests
       Subject: Thoughts on first musical
       Date Posted: 2/11/03 at 7:06pm
       
      
        
          
	
Howdy... 
 
I am looking for ideas for a first musical production for a new theater group. We are looking for something with a small cast, easy orchestration, minimal sets and costumes, but it's got to be family oriented, fun, and easy to publicize.  
 
My first thought was 'You're a good man, Charlie Brown', as it's got good music, just a few actors, and the Charlie Brown name is so well known that advertising is very easy. The sets are almost non-existant, and costumes would be easy too. 
 
Can anyone else think of a musical that fits the bill? Charlie Brown was done here 2 years ago by another group, and I thought it may be too soon to bring it back.  
 
Thanks for your ideas... 
 
 - Ben Freedman 
   Val Vista Lakes Players 
   ben@vvlplayers.com 
 
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  Replies: 
       
      Posted By: Guests
       
      Date Posted: 2/12/03 at 6:56pm
       
      
        
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If these two haven't been done to death in your area, try the Fantastics or Nunsense. They're both well known and guaranteed crowd pleasers. Good luck!
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      Posted By: Guests
       
      Date Posted: 2/12/03 at 10:54pm
       
      
        
          
	
Good ideas, however the Fantastiks is on right now at a local professional group here in town, and since we're considering a local church for the first few productions, I'm not sure how well 'Nunsense' would go down.  
 
Any other suggestions???? 
 
 - Thanks... - Ben 
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      Posted By: Guests
       
      Date Posted: 2/13/03 at 11:19am
       
      
        
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Our local theater did THE TAFFETA'S last summer to sold out houses.  It is a musical review with songs of the 50's and a cast of four young women.  The set is simple.  I was impressed.  It is so camp that it is very funny and if you have strong singers and Musical Director and Choreographer it will play very well.
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      Posted By: Guests
       
      Date Posted: 2/13/03 at 12:40pm
       
      
        
          
	
There are actually a number of good musical reviews that are easy to mount. For example "Some Enchanted Evening" which is Rodgers and Hammerstein, and there are two for Cole Porter, "Red, Hot and Cole" and "Cole". There are probably many others. 
 
Dan
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      Posted By: Guests
       
      Date Posted: 2/18/03 at 9:31am
       
      
        
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There is a musical from Triad Productions ( www.triad-productions.com ) called "Soup du Jour" which I've been trying to convince my group to do for the last couple of years. Though not well known, it has a witty script, nice songs and small orchestra with the option of using a pre-recorded tape instead. It has a cast of three men and three women.
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      Posted By: Guests
       
      Date Posted: 2/18/03 at 5:02pm
       
      
        
          
	
We've had good success with Baby -- small cast and very fun. Also had a great showing with Dreams from a Summer House last spring. Lucky Stiff is a little larger, but tremendous fun. Pump Boys and Dinettes is a good crowd pleaser as well. And there's Forever Plaid and the companion piece to Taffettas, called Cardigans. Good luck!  
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