I'm having trouble choosing a play for my high school to perform this fall. Ideally, it would be a straight play (no musicals), a cast of about 12-20, and a male lead.
I want something new(er) and exciting, but nothing that would be inappropriate for high schoolers. We could handle some adult/mature themes, but nothing too edgy.
I really appreciate any help/suggestions you can provide. Thank you!
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It doesn't necessarily have to be "new", per se, I said that because I want something that's modern, relevant, and relatable. If it's an older play but still can hold it's own, then I'm all for it.
"It doesn't necessarily have to be "new", per se, I said that because I want something that's modern, relevant, and relatable. If it's an older play but still can hold it's own, then I'm all for it. "
I think Zombies are still in. The HS director put everyone in black and white (which I think the script calls for). He also had permanent and guest zombies walking through the stage area and audience. By that, I mean, he had actors as walking zombies, but each show, people could volunteer to be a zombie. The guests were paired with an actor to know how and when to shuffle across.
My school did You Can't Take It With You last year and it was one of my favorite productions. I played Paul, and it was a wonderful bonding experience and an amazing play!
I really like You Can't Take It With You, it sounds hilarious and it could be a lot of fun. Does anyone have any more suggestions? I'm trying to pile up as many choices as possible.
A previous poster is right, there are few new plays with large casts. August: Osage County has a large cast, but predominately females - and not right for every community.
What about any of the Complete (abridged) plays: There is a Shakespeare one, a US History one, and a Bible one. All easily expandable to a large cast.
If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it?
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I want to avoid Shakespeare if I can. I love many of his works (I just recently finished playing Demetrius in a production of Midsummer), but the majority of our school population wouldn't be interested.
If you are looking for something newer than many of the plays suggested here, you may want to consider a Lanford Wilson play, Fifth of July, Rimers of Eldritch or Balm in Gilead perhaps.
May I suggest this adaptation of Spoon River Anthology. It's called The Spoon River Project. I saw it at a high school in NJ. Great ensemble piece. It's a play with music. The production I saw won a few Montclaire Theatre Night Awards. It's a great ensemble piece and you can use from 11 to 20 actors. It's very flexible.
It's published by Playscripts and you can download and read the script.
I would not recommend The Man Who Came to Dinner. It has far too many outdated references to people and places. Plus Whiteside is probably too much for a young actor to handle.
I would say Our Town is pretty boring.
I would go with You Can Take it With You. Also... Harvey is great. I used to read Butterflies are Free with my students and they liked that a lot, but it's a small cast.
You can also to perform a foreign play. Moliere is always a must. I really like "The Bourgeois Gentleman" and "The Imaginary Invalid". I know that there is some good english translation available (and royalty-free).
Maybe I do not speak English as well as you, but I can perfectly pronounce the names of all characters of Les Misérables.