For when you are 'Pulled' in multiple directions: A list of popular shows a High school can put on.

If your school is anything like mine, the decision making process for your next show begins right after the curtains close. Luckily for us, the members of our Theater Arts Club have the ability to put their input in for what show we want to do next. However, due to confusion for which musicals have released their rights, it is difficult to know what shows you may be able to put on. For your benefit, and my own, I have put together a list of the most popular (and some of the most enjoyable) shows your school should consider for next show season.

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- Annie : This musical has multiple lead roles and many opportunities for ensemble roles as well. It is not very make-up heavy which is a refreshing change if you just came off of a show like Tarzan or The Addams Family.

- Into the Woods : Basically a High School staple. In middle school, our choir sang a medley from Into The Woods and most of the songs have impressive harmonies and very strong male roles. This musical is a good idea if your TAC has a large population of boys (I wish) or you are trying to attract more boys to be apart of the musical.

- The Little Mermaid : Based on your part, this show maybe makeup heavy for some leads and ensemble parts and... there are so many ensemble parts! As well as a variety of them so not every single person in ensemble is going to be playing the same part essentially. Another plus, the sets for this show have the ability to be breathtaking. If you are blessed with as amazing of a Stage Crew as I am, this should definitely be one of your top ten.

- The Addams Family : If you couldn't tell from all of the puns in this blog, I am in love with the Addams Family. One of my favorite parts as an ensemble member is the fact that you have so much freedom with your character (if you are a dead ancestor). You can create as complicated of a backstory as possible and really take the opportunity to display your showmanship through your character portrayal. My favorite songs from this show are 'Move Towards The Darkness' , 'Crazier Than You' (the actors that played Mr. and Mrs. Beineke were SO GOOD), and obviously 'The Moon And Me'.

- 42nd Street : This musical has some amazing dance numbers (tap dancing!); however, the story is very confusing and hard to follow. Nonetheless, there are many opportunities for ensemble parts as you see a 'show inside of a show' during the musical (I think - it is a very confusing musical). One of the longest running jokes in my TAC is the fact that it has been about 3 years since we put on 42nd Street and we still don't know what was going on.

- Les Misérables : There is something so daunting and challenging about this show. Depending on how long you typically have for rehearsal, this musical might not be for your production. Still, being able to belt 'One Day More' on stage seems irresistible.

- Something Rotten! : You can do Shakespeare, without really doing Shakespeare! This show is pretty under the radar of most Drama clubs, but many show chorus' are all over it. The possibilities of this show are astronomical and you should totally look into it.

- The Music man : Do I even have to say more? Another huge plus to this musical is you can add your schools marching band into the finale for a HUGE showstopper. If you have never looked into this musical, you totally should!

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Thank you for taking your time to read and consider this! Act on my beloved Theater Kids!

Also- yes. I absolutely refuse to put 'Shrek' on this list - and I'm not apologizing.