How "small" of a cast are you looking for? Gender division? Subject matter restrictions? Vocal types?
OK, those questions out of the way, here are my first thoughts-
"Liars & Legends"- It's a musical-review-ish thing based on the story songs of Harry Chapin. About 4-6 cast members. I don't know much about it other than the songs are great (duh, considering the source), and I Like the script. I would LOVE to do this show. I think that it has a great chance to appeal to a baby boomer and younger audience. And there is so much that you could do with it.... I've been trying to convince the theatre I work for to do it, but no dice. Maybe you'll have better luck. (It's listed in the R&H catalogue).
"Two By Two"- (I've done this show before, so pardon the excessive description) Musical adaptation of the Noah's Ark story that shows the characters as people, rather than Biblical Figures. Danny Kaye was (I think) the original Noah. Quite funny, and GREAT music ("The Gitka Song" and "Goodbye, Old Girl" can still bring tears to my eyes, cynical bitch that I am, and "I Feel Like I'm Ninety Again" is SO much fun) Cast size is about 8, evenly divided men/women. Great fun to do, fabulous music. There are (in my opinion) only 1 or 2 cast members who need "pretty" voices, the rest are more "sell the story" songs. One song can be cut to make a non-singing role. Most voices are character-type, or can be done so. However, if you live in an area with religious issues, there are some things that could be a problem. And the set could be problematic. Act 1 is at Noah's house as the ark is being built, Act 2 is in the ark, with water all around. And at the end, the ark lands and all disembark. It can be done simply, if your set designer is creative. And I think that, in this case, simple would be best.
Pardon me for rambling. Hope this helped.
"We are all misfits, I guess, in the theatre. Otherwise we wouldn't be here." ~Michael Kandel, "Ogre"
I Sing! has a cast of 5 people (3 boys and 2 girls)
(Martha Graham from a letter to Agnes de Mille) "There is a vitality, a life force, a quickening That is translated through you into action, And because there is only one of you in all time, This expression is unique. If you block it, It will never exist through any other medium And be lost. The world will never have it. It is not your business to determine how good it is, Nor how valuable it is, Nor how it compares with other expressions. It is your business to keep it yours, clearly and directly, To keep the channel open. You do not even have to believe in yourself or your work. You have to keep open and aware Directly to the urges that motivate you. Keep the channel open. No artist is pleased. There is no satisfaction whatever at any time. There is only a queer, divine dissatisfaction, A blessed unrest that keeps us marching And makes us more alive than others."
Songs for a New World (4) Falsettos (7) Smokey Joe's Cafe ( Marry me a Little (2) Avenue Q (7) BKLYN (5)---Sorry, I had to include this one! Ain't Misbehavin (5) Side by Side by Sondheim (5) A Year with Frog & Toad (5) Pump Boys & Dinettes (5) I do I do (2)
Songs for a New World (4) Falsettos (7) Smokey Joe's Cafe ( Marry me a Little (2) Avenue Q (7) BKLYN (5)---Sorry, I had to include this one! Ain't Misbehavin (5) Side by Side by Sondheim (5) A Year with Frog & Toad (5) Pump Boys & Dinettes (5) I do I do (2)
They're Playing Our Song has 8 but 6 of the parts are small as it's really a two person show.
"Smart! And into all those exotic mystiques -- The Kama Sutra and Chinese techniques. I hear she knows more than seventy-five. Call me tomorrow if you're still alive!"
I saw a musical several years ago, but I can't for the life of me remember the name of it. It was about an Andrews Sisters-like group performing for the USO. Kinda like Forever Plaid, but they were still alive.
Anyway, whatever it was called, it had a cast of 4 or 5, I think.
eta: It was not The Sisters of Swing, which is actually about The Andrews Sisters, but that also has a cast of 5.
Updated On: 3/24/06 at 01:05 PM