What is a good plays for a smaller theater to perform in it’s first seasons?
Posted on March 5th, 2010 by admin
I’m looking for a seaon playlist for a small theater that will get attention, but not bad attention. I’m not looking for children’s shows, but not neccessarily adult ones either. I’m looking for small casts, minimal sets, no musicals, where the quality of the performance is based on the ability of the actors and director. Also, this theater is located in a reletively conservative area, so nothing too far out.
You’ll also want shows that use lots of women, since most of your volunteers will be of that persuasion…
And so you’ll want some of the work-horses of community theatre with primarily female casts:
Steel Magnolias (1 set, 6 women)
Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds (1 set, 4 women, note lots of profanity and cigarette smoking by one character)
The Good Doctor (highly flexible cast, can easily double-cast some roles, needs one strong male lead)
The Odd Couple (comes in a female version if need be)
Arms and the Man (three sets, one for each act–the first set requires a window, otherwise can get by with furniture. Get the pre-revised version and you don’t need to pay royalties.)
No Exit (2 women, 1 man, no set. One-act)
Riders to the Sea (one-act)
Talk to Me Like the Rain and Let Me Listen (1 man, 1 woman, 1 act)
Glass Menagerie (1 set, 2 men, 2 women)
Those ought to get you started. I tend to go more for tried-and-true standards of modern drama because I was taught that actors who are still developing need good material, whereas fully-mature and glorious actors can make any drech into a good show.
March 5th, 2010 at 2:41 pm
Agnes of God, Love Letters, Death of a Salesman, Our Town….these are just a few off the top of my head. Hope this helps….
References :
March 5th, 2010 at 3:11 pm
The problem with small-cast shows is that they have small built-in audiences. It really helps a new theater to have people show up at the door, even if they’re just family and friends. That’s especially true of amateur theater, which critics tend not to take seriously.
Comedies usually draw better than dramas. Musicals draw better than either, but they’re a logistical nightmare.
Some suggested shows, though:
* Copenhagen: 3 actors, very cerebral
* Proof: 2M, 2F: also very cerebral
* Closer: 2M, 2F, rather racy and with strong language but no nudity
* The Importance of Being Earnest: larger cast, but it’s well-known and will attract attention
* The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged): three cast members, a much-loved comedy
I’m a bit surprised you’re asking, though. A new theater usually starts out because people want to direct particular shows. You should be asking them what they want to do.
References :
March 5th, 2010 at 3:29 pm
You’ll also want shows that use lots of women, since most of your volunteers will be of that persuasion…
And so you’ll want some of the work-horses of community theatre with primarily female casts:
Steel Magnolias (1 set, 6 women)
Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds (1 set, 4 women, note lots of profanity and cigarette smoking by one character)
The Good Doctor (highly flexible cast, can easily double-cast some roles, needs one strong male lead)
The Odd Couple (comes in a female version if need be)
Arms and the Man (three sets, one for each act–the first set requires a window, otherwise can get by with furniture. Get the pre-revised version and you don’t need to pay royalties.)
No Exit (2 women, 1 man, no set. One-act)
Riders to the Sea (one-act)
Talk to Me Like the Rain and Let Me Listen (1 man, 1 woman, 1 act)
Glass Menagerie (1 set, 2 men, 2 women)
Those ought to get you started. I tend to go more for tried-and-true standards of modern drama because I was taught that actors who are still developing need good material, whereas fully-mature and glorious actors can make any drech into a good show.
References :
March 5th, 2010 at 3:55 pm
There is a large list of plays to choose from depending on how many acts, etc. "The Iceman Cometh" is a nice little grabber without too many sets. "Waiting for Godot" requires a very bare set and only a few actors; however, the play might not go over well, for it is about how absurd life is. There is always the classics like "Mother Courage" and "Death of a Salesman". Maybe even the play "The Deathtrap" or "Faust" might catch people’s attention with out too much work. The list is too long to put it all here, but if I knew whether you were looking for something comical, tragic, farce, or dramatic, I could narrow my list.
References :
March 5th, 2010 at 4:10 pm
do a shakespeare play. they bring in audiences…and the rights are cheep…unless people know the show, they will not come out. everyone knows shakespeare and people go to them…some to sugest..
12th night, really great plot and really fun
love, labours, lost, its funny and really good
the tempest, its all happy and really fun to act
or my fav and the one i recomend
a Midsummer Nights Dream, yes it is not a small cast but it is a lot of fun and you will fill the theatre
References :
March 5th, 2010 at 4:32 pm
Agatha Christie’s The Unexpected Guest.
A well-known author coupled with a not-as-well-know play will be good for just starting out. People know Agatha Christie so they will know what to expect from her. There won’t be many things to compare it to, so you won’t be hearing a lot of, "Well it was good, but I liked So and So’s version better."
References :