If you are looking for the best and most popular musicals for high school then this article is your plug as we have discussed all you need to know herein.
High school musicals are essential. This is a place where anyone can belong, and it is a life-saving straw for children who felt that they were not suitable for any other place in high school.
Whether you are working in a school with a large art budget or you are building a high school drama program from scratch, these musicals for high school are a very good place to start planning for the next drama or theatre season.
All you need to do is find a chilled bottle of drink and read this article to the end as this article promises to be valuable.
You will get all the information you need about different High School Musicals and so much more.
Table of Contents
Picking the Best Musicals For High School
Choosing musicals for high school is a responsibility that no one should trivialize, not only do you have to find a show that suits your students, you also need to consider parents, the leadership of the school, school boards, and the entire community. This can be challenging, but it pays to see shy kids turn into confident, capable actors and singers.
For drama or theatre kids, musicals are the best part of high school. Recall, do you remember when you first felt that your fellow actors became family members? When was the first time you stepped onto the stage and found your voice? For the first time you hear the audience applauding your performance or laughing at your dispositions and think, “Oh, I’m home”?
Also Read: 20 Art Schools in Australia | All Australian Art and Design Schools
Contemporary Musicals for High School
If you have a group of theatre kids who are up to date with the latest Broadway shows and performances, the classics of the golden age will only make you go further. At some point, it’s time to research the best contemporary musicals for high school students.
This is actually more difficult than it sounds because many modern musicals deal with dark adult themes. In recent years, these shows have been played on Broadway or the West End-which means they are one of the very cool musicals for high school you can find-and they can all be licensed.
Some of them include but not limited to the ones listed below:
- Matilda
- Cast: 14 roles, flexible ensemble
- Licensing: Music Theater InternationalLegally Blonde the Musical
- Cast: 7 roles, flexible ensemble
- Licensing: Music Theater International
- Disenchanted! (High School Edition)
- Cast: 6-10 (all female), optional ensemble
- Licensing: Broadway Licensing
- Emma: A Pop Musical
- Cast size: 14 roles, flexible ensemble
- Licensing: Broadway Licensing
- Catch Me If You Can
- Cast: 7 roles, flexible ensemble
- Licensing: Music Theater International
- High School Musical
- Cast: 11 roles, large ensemble
- Licensing: Music Theater International
- Shrek the Musical
- Cast: 7 roles, flexible ensemble
- Licensing: Music Theater International
Also Read: American Red Cross Volunteer Connection: All you need to know
Little-known high school musicals
When you are in search of obscure or little-known musicals for high school drama shows, these shows are a good starting point. Weird and quirky, each one brings about depth and dimension to the theatre show.
A good number of shows, including shows like the Weird Romance and the Lucky Stiff, are small musicals with actors that provide interesting challenges for your most dedicated and enthusiastic students between large-scale productions.
Some of them include but not limited to the ones listed below:
- Urinetown
- Cast: 14 roles, flexible ensemble
- Licensing: Music Theater International
- Lucky Stiff
- Cast: 7 roles
- Licensing: Music Theater International
- Something’s Afoot
- Cast: 10 roles
- Licensing: Concord Theatricals
- Zombie Prom
- Cast: 10 roles
- Licensing: Concord Theatricals
- Weird Romance
- Cast: 9 roles
- Licensing: Concord Theatricals
- High Fidelity (High School Edition)
- Cast: 20 roles, flexible ensemble
- Licensing: Broadway Licensing
Also Read: Best Ways To Learn New Language Fast
Low-Budget Musicals for High School
Many schools provide little (or non-existent) budgets for drama and theatre departments. If this sounds familiar, a low-cost high school musical is a good solution. By saving on licensing, costume and/or set costs, you can provide your students with an unforgettable musical experience without having to deal with endless fundraising activities!
Some of them include but not limited to the ones listed below:
- The Pirates of Penzance
- Cast: 11 roles, optional ensemble
- Licensing: Public domain
- A Bronx Tale (High School Edition)
- Cast: 6 roles
- Licensing: Broadway Licensing
- The Fantasticks
- Cast: 8 roles
- Licensing: Music Theater International
- The Apple Tree
- Cast: 3-9, flexible ensemble
- Licensing: Music Theater International
- The Robber Bridegroom
- 10 roles, flexible ensemble
- Licensing: Music Theater International
- Disaster! The Musical
- Cast: 11 roles, flexible ensemble
- Licensing: Music Theater International
Also Read: Requirements for Dental Schools
Simple musicals for high school
If you have been a director of a musical, you will know how much work has to be done. To simplify the process, look for simple programs. These musicals are similar by one factor, if not for any other thing, at least one factor makes life easier for you.
Some of them like Cinderella can be learnt by students easily. Other simple musicals like working, can be directed easily. There are also high school musicals with a small number of actors, so you don’t need to worry about acting and directing a huge, willful ensemble.
Some of them include but not limited to the ones listed below:
- Cinderella
- Cast: 11 roles, large ensemble
- Licensing: Concord Theatricals (Enchanted edition | Broadway version)
- Once Upon a Mattress
- Cast: 11 roles, flexible ensemble
- Licensing: Concord Theatricals
- Working
- Cast: 6 roles (can be expanded)
- Licensing: Music Theater International
- Grease
- Cast: 17 roles, large ensemble
- Licensing: Concord Theatricals (also: school version)
- You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown
- Cast: 6 roles
- Licensing: Concord Theatricals
- Little Shop of Horrors
- Cast: 8 roles, optional small ensemble
- Licensing: Music Theater International
Also Read: How to Become a Dentist: All you need to know
Large Cast Musicals for High School
Do you have a lot of people attending auditions in your school? A large number of cast musicals for high school are one of the great ways to make sure that anyone who wants to participate can participate.
If you have some star performers and a large number of beginners, find ensemble heavy high school performances. Large cast ensemble musicals especially those with various characters, such as Bye Bye Birdie can help you cultivate the talents of all actors and singers.
Some of them include but not limited to the ones listed below:
- Bye Bye Birdie
- Cast: 11 roles, 11 featured roles, very large ensemble
- Licensing: Concord Theatricals
- Oklahoma!
- Cast: 10 roles, large ensemble
- Licensing: Concord Theatricals
- The Music Man
- Licensing: Music Theater International
- Cast: 13 roles, large ensemble
- Fiddler on the Roof
- Cast: 14 roles, flexible ensemble
- Licensing: Music Theater International
- Seussical
- Cast: 6 roles, flexible ensemble
- Licensing: Music Theater International
- Guys and Dolls
- Cast: 12 roles, medium-large ensemble
- Licensing: Music Theater International
Also Read: How to survive in middle school
Most Popular Musicals for High School
Sometimes you just need to be a big success for your drama or theatre program-this is the time to choose from the most popular Musicals for high school.
Each of these shows is almost guaranteed to attract a large audience, so you can fill the house with friends who are excited, family, and community members. If you want to raise interest in the drama club of your school, then you can begin with the list of the popular high school musicals below:
1. Beauty and the Beast
“Beauty and the Beast” was produced in 1991 by Walt Disney Animation. It is an American animated musical romantic fantasy film produced published by Walt Disney Pictures, produced by Don Hahn and directed by Kirk Wise and Gary Rosedale.
This may be an old story, but it hasn’t grown old in the American Highlands. This Disney’s favourite stage version made its debut on Broadway only a few years after the 1991 movie stole the hearts of moviegoers everywhere. This is one of the musicals for high school that features beloved songs by Menken and Ashman, plus a soundtrack by Menken and Tim Rice, and a book by Linda Woolverton.
- Cast: 12 roles, large ensemble
- Licensing: Music Theater International
2. Mamma Mia!
Mamma Mia! is a 2008 jukebox musical romantic comedy film that was marketed as Mamma Mia! The Movie, The movie contains music that is directed by Phyllida Lloyd and written by Catherine Johnson based on her 1999 book of the drama show of the same name.
In turn, the film is based on the songs of the popular band ABBA, with another additional music which was composed by ABBA member Benny Andersson. The cast of this movie includes Dominic Cooper, Colin Firth, Christine Baransky, Pierce Brosnan, Amanda Seyfried, Meryl Streep, Julie Walters and Strand Skarska De,
- Cast: 13 roles, large ensemble
- Licensing: Music Theater International
3. The Addams Family
The Adams family is a household that is based on fiction. It was founded by an American cartoonist in 1938 by the name Charles Adams. Originally, The Adams family included Gomez and Morticia Adams, with their kids Pagsley and Wednesday, plus family members such as Uncle Fest and grandmother, and their housekeepers Lurch and Aristotle wich was Pugsley Pet octopus.
According to Charles Adam’s iconic cartoon, in this musical by Andrew Lipa, Marshall Brickman and Rick Ellis, the terrifying title family comes to life on a normal night. This creepy story premiered on Broadway in 2010 and has since been staged rapidly in high school.
- Cast: 10 roles, flexible ensemble
- Licensing: Theatrical Rights Worldwide
4. Into the Woods
Into the Woods is an American musical fantasy film directed by Rob Marshall in 2014. This is one of the best musicals for high school. James Lapine adopted it to the screen in 1986 Stephen Sondheim Broadway musical of the same name.
The film is produced by Walt Disney Pictures, and the cast includes James Corden, Anna Kendrick, Meryl Streep, Emily Blunt, Chris Pine, Tracy Earl Herman, Daniel Huttstone, MacKenzie Moz, Christine Baransky, Lila Crawford, Johnny Depp and Billy Magnussen.
In this beloved Stephen Sondheim and James Lappin musical, the fairy tale continues, which incorporates the stories of the Charles Parrot and Brothers Grimm. Since its premiere on Broadway in 1987, “Into the Woods” has become the main show in high schools everywhere, and it has become one of the most accessible shows in Sondheim.
- Cast: 18 roles, no ensemble
- Licensing: Music Theater International
5. The Wizard of Oz
The Wizard of Oz is an American musical fantasy film produced by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer in 1939. Often regarded as one of the greatest movies of all time, it is the best musicals for high school. The movie is the most successful commercial adaptation of L. Frank Baum’s children’s fantasy novel The Wizard of Oz in 1900. The film is mainly directed by Victor Fleming.
Judy Garland plays the role of Dorothy Gale, including Ray Bolger and Jack Ha Leigh, Burt Lahr and Margaret Hamilton starred together.
Generally considered one of the greatest movies of all time, “The Wizard of Oz” debuted on stage nearly half a century after the movie was released in 1939. The stage version includes Harold Arlen and E.Y. Harburg’s beloved music and lyrics, including a book adapted by John Kane. The precious story of Dorothy’s journey along the Yellow Brick Road is popular in community theatres, schools and children’s theatres in the United States and Britain.
- Cast: 8 roles, 16 featured, large ensemble
- Licensing: Concord Theatricals
6. The Sound of Music
The Sound of Music is one of the best and most popular musicals for high school. It is a musical, composed by Richard Rogers, lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, and a book co-authored by Howard Lindsay and Russell Klaus. It is based on Maria von Trapp’s 1949 memoir “The Story of Trapp Family Singers”. This musical takes place on the eve of the Austrian merger in 1938.
It tells the story of Maria, who worked as a tutor in a large family while deciding whether to become a nun. She fell in love with the children and eventually fell in love with their widowed father, Captain von Trapp. He was ordered to accept the appointment of the German Navy, but he is at odds with the Nazis.
- Cast: 11 roles, 7 children, flexible ensemble
- Licensing: Concord Theatricals
7. Shrek
In this stage play adapted from the beloved movie in 2001, the creatures in the fairy tale rise up. “Shrek” was premiered on Broadway in the year 2008, a book by David Lindsay-Abaire, Lindsay-Abaire and Jeanine Tesori (Jeanine Tesori) ) Soundtrack. Just like Seussical, it is still popular throughout the country due to its familiar themes and a large number of magical creatures.
8. Seussical
The stories of Dr Seuss (20 of them to be precise) are intertwined in this musical, mainly about the elephant Horton and his quest to protect a very special kind of clover. This is one of the best musicals for high school written by Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Aarens, it debuted on Broadway in 2000 and is popular in schools for having characters in different colours.
9. Little Shop of Horrors
Since its premiere outside Broadway in 1982, this strange little science fiction musical has been sought after. As one of the first shows created by Alan Mencken and Howard Ashman, ” Little Shop of Horrors ” is popular among schools, community theatres, and other amateur groups due to its small cast and relatively simple arrangement.
10. The Little Mermaid
Ariel has a big dream, which is to be part of another world in this Little Maermaid which happen to be one of the best musicals for high school. Based on the 1989 classic movie, with soundtracks by Alan Mencken and Howard Ashman, these musical features double the songs; a song that was written by Mencken and Glen Slater and a book by Doug Wright.
Leave a Reply