Selecting a musical is a little like going to the pantry to sort out dinner. One sees many options: the contents of one shelf look appetizing but are too similar to last night’s dinner or, for the director, to last year’s show. The contents of another shelf amount to back-ups, meals held in reserve, or shows the director has kicked around but passed on, sometimes for reasons as simple as the rights not being available.
Sometimes nothing looks especially appealing because the director doesn’t know exactly what he’s hungry for or because nothing seems to suit the tastes of the other diners – in other words, many shows don’t match the talents of the potential cast; and if you don’t have a Harold Hill, for example, the trombones won’t be marching.
When I read shows, I consider what actors and technicians would embrace and what audiences would enjoy. Additionally, sometimes timing is important: Hairspray as Tabor made a commitment to being more diverse, or this year’s selection, In the Heights, because of our national political climate and the popularity of Hamilton.
The musical is always about spectacle, so there should be technical challenges and rewards for the crews who build and light and costume – Tevye’s two-story, turntable house for Fiddler on the Roof or Jesus’ ascension in Jesus Christ Superstar or a teardrop cyclorama and robotic lighting units for Chicago or the wigs, make-up, and dresses and suits of Thoroughly Modern Millie.
Ultimately, however, the show must speak to the director. The more I listen to the music, the more I have to find myself tapping my foot and singing along. And, finally, the story must be worth the telling, the characters complex and their struggles relatable.
Each year, the decision to do a show boils down to two selections that the production team hashes out – a front-runner and a Plan B. Last year’s Plan B was Heathers: The Musical, a show the students suggested. As I write, that show is still on the shelf in the pantry. In the future, I need to restock the shelves with more student-suggested shows. That is my promise for this coming spring.
Enjoy a time-lapse of the set construction!
