I'm going on an interview next week for a student group at a pretty big name college here that if I get it could be a really big deal for me. However, I need your help. I need a show to submit to direct!
The group is looking for a show that people have heard of, is relatively inexpensive, and not inappropriate. So far I'm thinking of submitting Blood Brothers, Songs For A New World and possibly Company (the only reason I submitted this is because in the email that was sent out, they wrote that the company was thinking of doing Assassins, and I thought if Assassins is okay, why not Company?)
Also this group does not cut actors from auditioning so it should leave room for a pretty big cast. I also don't think they have a lot of money for a full orchestra, so something that is not ridiculously complicated in terms of music would be nice too.
Also, the only other musical they have done in the past is Guys And Dolls, if that helps. They have done dramas before (last year they did Lysistrata) but the group seems to be in favor of doing a musical of some sort, but a play with music could work too I suppose (which is why I submitted Blood Brothers).
You also have to pick a show that is right for YOU to direct -- and we cannot do that for you.
Rights and Royalties for musicals are likely going to shock your group if they have never done a musical. It's going to run EASILY between 1500 (very low) and 3K dollars. It doesn't matter if its a student group.
If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it?
These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.
If you're not cutting anyone I can't see how you would do Assassins or Company. The show will need to work with your directing style and taste, the space/venue, the available talent (if there is any), the budget for scenery/costumes/orchestra/lighting/sound/hair/wigs, and how it would sell---what is your audience/subscription base like? Will it recoup its investment?
Big cast, four solid leads (two male, two female), great songs, very funny in that goofy Gershwin musical comedy way, rarely done, book problems but still has more than enough going for it to make it work