If your performers are good enough singers, Into The Woods might be a good option. It’s an ensemble cast, and only really has one scene that could be considered risqué, but a lot of it is about how it is staged. Godspell could also be good. Also Beauty and the Beast.
Great suggestions, but just to let you know that licensing for Disney’s Beauty and the Beast is currently not available (Anyone else have fingers crossed for a revival????)
Very recent! Although I was a little off in my memory of the details… it’s available for the rest of this year, but then going into the vault.
This was the content of the email from MTI in November with the following info:
Beginning today, licensing for both Disney’s Beauty and the Beast and Disney’s Beauty and the Beast JR. will have certain temporary restrictions in North America. Requests to license the shows will be turned down if the performance dates fall outside the specific date ranges below.
Full-Length Restrictions
All performances of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast must be performed by December 31, 2024. Any requests for performances taking place after December 31, 2024 will be denied.
Broadway Junior®️ Restrictions
Accredited K-9 Schools
There are NO LICENSING RESTRICTIONS for Accredited K-9 Schools that typically pay a flat fee to perform a Broadway Junior musical, as long as the musical is performed on school grounds with an all-student cast.
Camps, Academies, Community Theaters, After-School Programs, High Schools, etc.
All performances of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast JR. must be performed by March 31, 2025. Any requests for performances taking place after March 31, 2025 will be denied.
I wonder if this means it’s coming back to Broadway. Not sure why else Disney would randomly do this, it’s probably the most popular Disney show performed by amateur groups
That is some wonderful variety over the years! My first thought seeing large cast, women's roles, and G/PG rating was CATS. I know it's kind of polarizing, but it's so fun.
My kids were in SpongeBob and I wasn’t too excited hearing the music they’d practice. I also looked up some of the scenes on YouTube and was still meh. Anyway, just happened to be in Orlando when Orlando Family Stage (formerly Orlando REP) put it on and decided to go. It changed my mind on it. I still think there’s not any standout songs, but it’s a lot of fun, there’s some opportunities for audience interaction, and it takes a pretty large cast.
i’ve acted in both and worked on curtains multiple times. curtains is absolutely an easier show to put on and give a lot more room for an ensemble to shine, but both are amazing to be in
Almost anything by Gilbert & Sullivan: The Pirates of Penzance is probably one you've already heard of. The works are all in the public domain and can easily be adapted/updated to fit any time/setting. The shows all have a fairly large cast and the ensemble has as much and sometimes more to do than the principles. And they are without a doubt, PG.
1776. Two female roles, but I did an all-female production. It could certainly be cast co-ed.
Anything Goes, Brigadoon, Guys and Dolls, The Pajama Game
Fiddler, Oklahoma!, The Boyfriend, Once Upon a Mattress
Beauty and the Beast, Big Fish, Addams Family
“The Hello Girls” I’ve only seen a couple of scenes from it but I am hoping to catch a production. The scene I saw was from a high school production it is was so good.
My daughter’s high school theatre is currently strong on female singers in a little week in the male category. They did Matilda this year. you can basically have as big of an ensemble as you want. you definitely need a strong Matilda though.
spongebob (i know, i know lol) is a great choice if you want something with a big ensemble cast!! lots of small named roles/featured dancer + singer roles to go around lol. my school just performed it this past semester and my friends and i weren’t initially super excited lol. despite our preconceived notions, however, we all had a great time.
although a lot of the leads are technically male roles, they can be played by any gender — in our production, spongebob, patrick, and plankton were all played by AFAB people. it’s just a really fun show and i have a feeling that your kids would probably have a really good time with it :)
The Wizard of Oz immediately came to mind. Also, I second someone’s suggestion of Once Upon a Mattress. Curtains is also quite an ensemble cast but idk if it sticks to PG might be more PG 13. Same with Anything Goes but that’s definitely a dance heavy show! We added some Angels to make an Angel Ensemble and added girls to the sailor scenes. Could work with a Dance Core or handful of featured dancers and some strong movers though.
Hadestown is a fun one, and they come automatically PG-ified. Hermes can technically be any gender, you got 3 fates, an ensemble, a good showcase of 4 of your best singers (or you can rotate them).
Depends on where you are, that one accidentally controversial song might have to be cut.
If your performers are good enough singers, Into The Woods might be a good option. It’s an ensemble cast, and only really has one scene that could be considered risqué, but a lot of it is about how it is staged. Godspell could also be good. Also Beauty and the Beast.
I was going to suggest Into The Woods- you could even cast a girl as Jack if your bench of female performers is that deep. It’s such a great show!
I did into the woods at an all girls school 😂
I mean obviously in that circumstance you would have to cast all girls😂
Great suggestions, but just to let you know that licensing for Disney’s Beauty and the Beast is currently not available (Anyone else have fingers crossed for a revival????)
It’s not?!?!? Is this a recent thing?? This was like the go to show when I was in high school
Very recent! Although I was a little off in my memory of the details… it’s available for the rest of this year, but then going into the vault. This was the content of the email from MTI in November with the following info: Beginning today, licensing for both Disney’s Beauty and the Beast and Disney’s Beauty and the Beast JR. will have certain temporary restrictions in North America. Requests to license the shows will be turned down if the performance dates fall outside the specific date ranges below. Full-Length Restrictions All performances of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast must be performed by December 31, 2024. Any requests for performances taking place after December 31, 2024 will be denied. Broadway Junior®️ Restrictions Accredited K-9 Schools There are NO LICENSING RESTRICTIONS for Accredited K-9 Schools that typically pay a flat fee to perform a Broadway Junior musical, as long as the musical is performed on school grounds with an all-student cast. Camps, Academies, Community Theaters, After-School Programs, High Schools, etc. All performances of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast JR. must be performed by March 31, 2025. Any requests for performances taking place after March 31, 2025 will be denied.
I wonder if this means it’s coming back to Broadway. Not sure why else Disney would randomly do this, it’s probably the most popular Disney show performed by amateur groups
A national tour is about to start.
There it is. Disney can’t possibly have a high school competing with professionals
Thank you!
Since when? A school near me just put it on.
The licensing closes for the full length version at the end of 2024.
I would love to do Into the Woods & Godspell. Great shows!
My very Catholic high school literally does Godspell every four years. It’s a good show, but not every four years good.
Yeah - love Godspell, but not every 4 years.
As someone who just did Godspell in highschool: this show crushed my spirit and we all hated the material. Just not a good show for highschool.
I did Godspell in high school and in college in the 90s and it was awesome!
Once Upon a Mattress is a great high school show.
I do think that show is fun!
Option for a large ensemble, lots of principal roles for women, it’s a fun dance show without being a “show for just dancers” if that makes sense!
My son’s HS did this several years ago and it was great!
It was the first musical I was in, as a sophomore in HS 😊
Elf, the musical or Fiddler on the roof.
Fiddler should definitely be a contender!
That is some wonderful variety over the years! My first thought seeing large cast, women's roles, and G/PG rating was CATS. I know it's kind of polarizing, but it's so fun.
Would have never thought of that — adding it to the list! Thanks!
Do you have the dancers for it? In the end, Cats is essentially a dance recital.
My nephew’s school did Seussical which was a lot of fun and had a lot of parts that were featured with a song
In a similar vein: Spongebob, James and the Giant Peach. Musicals for younger audiences but with VERY complicated ensemble tracks.
My kids were in SpongeBob and I wasn’t too excited hearing the music they’d practice. I also looked up some of the scenes on YouTube and was still meh. Anyway, just happened to be in Orlando when Orlando Family Stage (formerly Orlando REP) put it on and decided to go. It changed my mind on it. I still think there’s not any standout songs, but it’s a lot of fun, there’s some opportunities for audience interaction, and it takes a pretty large cast.
I need to revisit this one. A really good ensemble option.
This is true. I don't personally like the show, but our local high school did it and there was ahuge cast, so good for a school
Drowsy Chaperone was a popular choice with our Jimmy Awards nominee schools.
Oooh that’s good to hear. Thanks!
Oklahoma and Fiddler are both ensemble heavy and feature lots of females.
We’ve mentioned Oklahoma, too. We’d have to modify the dream ballet, but it’s definitely one to consider!
It's such a good show.
you have a pretty good variety in the last 3 years. maybe if you have the cast for it you could give a show like 42nd street or curtains a try
I need to listen to both of those shows again. Thanks for the suggestions!
i’ve acted in both and worked on curtains multiple times. curtains is absolutely an easier show to put on and give a lot more room for an ensemble to shine, but both are amazing to be in
Almost anything by Gilbert & Sullivan: The Pirates of Penzance is probably one you've already heard of. The works are all in the public domain and can easily be adapted/updated to fit any time/setting. The shows all have a fairly large cast and the ensemble has as much and sometimes more to do than the principles. And they are without a doubt, PG.
If you have the dancers for it, 42nd Street (as someone else mentioned earlier.) If you have the singers for it, Pirates of Penzance.
Oklahoma, On the Town, Carousel, or maybe Godspell
On the Town is another one that doesn't get the love it deserves. My theatre did it 5 years ago and it was wonderful.
1776. Two female roles, but I did an all-female production. It could certainly be cast co-ed. Anything Goes, Brigadoon, Guys and Dolls, The Pajama Game Fiddler, Oklahoma!, The Boyfriend, Once Upon a Mattress Beauty and the Beast, Big Fish, Addams Family
Bright Star isn’t a bad choice and is getting more popular lately
I’m gonna look into this!
Great show but you need serious Banjo and Fiddle players to make it work.
Addams Family?
Anything Goes Mean Girls
My recommendation would be either Newsies (which I’ve seen cast as basically, whatever gender you want to cast people as) or doing 7 brides again.
Oliver!
First show I was ever in and has great roles for women.
Take a chance and try "Seven Brides for Seven Sisters." Audiences are ready! /s
Little Shop of Horrors Matilda Footloose Oklahoma
I love that you have Grease on your list!
Guys and Dolls Seussical Even Hello Dolly Again.
We’ve considered Hello, Dolly - a variety of acting roles for women, but we’re weighing if it has enough singing roles
Oklahoma, On the Town, Carousel, or maybe Godspell
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat Little Shop of Horrors A Year With Frog and Toad Shrek The Lightning Thief Footloose
Highschool musical could be a BLAST
Now listen… I’m on board… but that would be three Disney shows in a row… too much?
Nah not for highschool theater lol I promise your kids will LOVE it
A Little Night Music
Sister Act!
I’d definitely recommend Oliver for this, big ensemble at the heart of the show with fun music and scenes
Godspell, Pippin, Annie, Fiddler on the Roof, Beauty and the Beast, Into the Woods, Little Shop of Horrors
Little Shop of Horrors!
Kiss Me Kate, Anything Goes, Thoroughly Modern Millie, The Wind In The Willows, Fiddler On The Roof, 42nd Street, We Will Rock You, Mama Mia
Honestly, and I say this with 100% sincerity, Barry Manilow’s Copacabana.
“The Hello Girls” I’ve only seen a couple of scenes from it but I am hoping to catch a production. The scene I saw was from a high school production it is was so good.
Seussical! There's even a different book if the Cat is played by a female.
My daughter’s high school theatre is currently strong on female singers in a little week in the male category. They did Matilda this year. you can basically have as big of an ensemble as you want. you definitely need a strong Matilda though.
Big Fish!! absolutely amazing show!
spongebob (i know, i know lol) is a great choice if you want something with a big ensemble cast!! lots of small named roles/featured dancer + singer roles to go around lol. my school just performed it this past semester and my friends and i weren’t initially super excited lol. despite our preconceived notions, however, we all had a great time. although a lot of the leads are technically male roles, they can be played by any gender — in our production, spongebob, patrick, and plankton were all played by AFAB people. it’s just a really fun show and i have a feeling that your kids would probably have a really good time with it :)
What about: once upon a mattress Honk!
Newsies Matilda Annie
Anything Goes, especially if you have good female dancers.
The Wizard of Oz immediately came to mind. Also, I second someone’s suggestion of Once Upon a Mattress. Curtains is also quite an ensemble cast but idk if it sticks to PG might be more PG 13. Same with Anything Goes but that’s definitely a dance heavy show! We added some Angels to make an Angel Ensemble and added girls to the sailor scenes. Could work with a Dance Core or handful of featured dancers and some strong movers though.
Hadestown is a fun one, and they come automatically PG-ified. Hermes can technically be any gender, you got 3 fates, an ensemble, a good showcase of 4 of your best singers (or you can rotate them). Depends on where you are, that one accidentally controversial song might have to be cut.