I've mentioned before that community theatre groups are at the mercy of the companies that own the rights to the musicals and stage shows.
Usually, there's no problem staging any show that's available to community theatre groups. You sign a contract, send some money, and you get the rights to stage the show you've chosen.
However - sometimes events work against you. Perhaps the show you want to stage is touring with a professional troupe and is visiting your area. In that case, the company won't allow a local group to stage the show. There are other reasons, but that's the most common.
The point of all this (he said, burying his lede) is that the First Stage Theatre Company had announced plans to stage the show Junie B. Jones and a Little Monkey Business in the Spring - but recently found out that the company that holds the rights has decided not to release the rights to community theatre groups. I'm not sure the reasons behind it, but it's a shame - there was a lot of interest in the show, and there will no doubt be a lot of disappointed kids out there.
The point of this post is to invite our readers to suggest other shows they'd like to see fill the spot left by "Junie's" departure. It needs to be a small show, preferably a non-musical - so if you have any suggestions, post them here or email them to me at TheMinskers@aol.com.
Sorry about that, "Junie" fans!
11 comments:
The Wizard Of Oz definitly
Anon, that's a great suggestion, but the Marshall Artist Series is bringing that musical into town in December, so we wouldn't want to stage it again that close to the professional performance. But it's a great suggestion for a year or two down the road. It's one of my all-time favorites.
how about the music man I'd love to see that done by first stage
Anon, another good suggestion - but 5th Avenue Theatre did that show last year. We like to allow a few years between local productions when possible. But I'll add your suggestion to the list!
Titanic-The Musical,
or
Your A Good Man Charlie Brown
How about something contrasting to "A Year With Frog and Toad"? Both shows selected for the spring seemed to both be children's shows. But now maybe since Junie B. didn't work out, maybe a straight play or small musical with more serious subject matter could take its place! I know I'd love to see that.
Lorrie - the Titanic musical! Wow, that would be a huge challenge. You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown is one of my favorites, and the good news is, First Stage plans to stage it next season as part of our 20th anniversary celebration. It was the first show the group did, and it was last staged on the group's 10th Anniversary. But don't tell anyone - it's a secret! ;-)
Josh, that's a good suggestion. But one of the reasons for making the Spring shows oriented more toward young performers is because so many high school kids are swamped in the Spring with Show Choir performances, and aren't available for First Stage shows. To accommodate that, First Stage moved its big shows to the Fall (when older kids are available), and tries to stage smaller shows in the Spring.
When will you announce what show you guys have picked?
Anon - A decision will probably be made by early in December - so there's still time to send in those suggestions!
How about taking a different approach and choosing one of the junior shows? The "hook" would be to limit the cast to kids in elementary and middle school. It would introduce new "stars" to First Stage and reload the talent pool for the next few years.
You'd probably attract good crowds with a show like "Aladdin Jr."
Len, that's an excellent suggestion, although I think we're leaning toward a non-musical. First Stage has never done one of the "Junior" shows before, but there's a first time for everything!
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