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Choosing a musical for a school production can be an intimidating prospect. Musical theatre is an exciting and far-reaching art form with hundreds of thrilling pieces to choose from, ranging from black comedy, classic farce, high tragedy and everything in between! Musicals of the past 100 years have been drawn from scores of subjects and ideas: from movies, books, news articles and comic books, and of course many are based on completely original concepts.
Some of the most thrilling musicals of the canon have been based on classic and modern novels. Why not look at a show based on a book that can be integrated into the classroom through literature as well as music, drama and dance?
The following “page to stage” adaptations might give you some inspiration!
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MUSIC BY | Paul Gordon
LYRICS BY | Paul Gordon
BOOK BY | John Caird
Based on the novel by Charlotte Bronte
This beloved tale of secrets and the lies that secrets create, of unimaginable hope and unspoken passion, reminds us what it is to fall deeply, truly and completely in love.
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| JANE EYRE is a wonderful work of theatre that provides excellent opportunities for lyrical and classically trained voices to shine, with especial focus on the female roles. The musical and the novel are ripe with study opportunities to explore the themes of morality, early feminism and the gothic romance genre. Its maturity and themes would especially suit for a senior high school performance. |
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Nominated for five Tony Awards, JANE EYRE explores religion, sexuality and protofeminism, all while enchanting audiences with a timeless love story.
Orphan Jane Eyre is mistreated in her early life but grows up to become the governess of Thornfield Hall, where she meets and falls in love with the enigmatic Edward Rochester, an Earl with a dark secret. Thus begins her passionate and heart-wrenching journey of love, loss and the struggles of morality.
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"Sirens" from Jane Eyre (Lyrics) |
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MUSIC | Jason Howland
LYRICS BY | Mindi Dickstein
BOOK BY | Allan Knee
Based on the novel by Louisa May Alcott
Almost every young girl will have read Louisa May Alcott’s classic novel, LITTLE WOMEN, or experienced the story through one of the many film adaptations.
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| LITTLE WOMEN features plenty of great opportunities for female actors and singers ranging in age from teenaged to 60 years old. The show also has a flexible cast size that can include as few as 10 or as many as 42 people, making it perfect for girls’ schools or schools with a number of talented young women! The voice types range from classical soprano, to music theatre mezzo and belter, giving opportunity for every voice to shine. |
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This timeless story of female independence and the adventures of four sisters set against the backdrop of the American Civil War is just as relevant today as when it was published in 1868. Now, this wonderful narrative has been brought to life as an exhilarating new musical filled with glorious music, dancing and heart.
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Broadway Musical "Little Women" Featuring Sutton Foster, Maureen McGovern and More
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MUSIC BY | Don Schlitz
LYRICS BY | Don Schlitz
BOOK BY | Ken Ludwig
Based on the novel by Mark Twain
Perfect for boys’ schools or societies with a group of talented young teenagers, Mark Twain’s classic novel comes to life in this adaptation of a favourite book.
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| Filled with foot-stomping, toe-tapping songs and a warm, funny book, THE ADVENTURES OF TOM SAWYER is a tale of thrilling escapes, comedy and inspiration for the whole family. |
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THE ADVENTURES OF TOM SAWYER is the irresistible story of a fourteen-year-old boy growing up in the heartland of America. This delightful musical is set in a bustling town in Missouri, 1840, on the banks of the Mississippi River. As this fun-filled show unfolds, we share with Tom and his friends all of the rollicking and heart-stopping adventures that we find in Twain's masterpiece, whether it's Tom tricking his friends into white-washing the fence ("Smart Like That"), crossing swords with the schoolmaster ("Hey, Tom Sawyer"), getting lost in McDougal's Cave ("Angels Lost"), or taking on the Reverend Sprague in church ("In The Bible").
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The Adventures of Tom Sawyer opening
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MUSIC BY | Stephen Flaherty
LYRICS BY | Lynn Ahrens
BOOK BY | Terrence McNally
Based on the novel by E L Doctorow
Dealing with issues such as class and prejudice, immigration, racism, social conditions and turn-of-the-century American history, RAGTIME (SCHOOL EDITION) is an incredibly powerful piece with nuances and themes that senior students can delve into both on the stage and in the classroom. |
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| The Tony-winning score draws upon many musical styles from the Ragtime rhythms of Harlem and Tin Pan Alley, to the Klezmer of the Lower East Side, from bold brass band marches to delicate waltzes, from up-tempo banjo tunes to period parlour songs and expansive anthems. |
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The beautiful score and vocals have been rearranged slightly to suit student voices, and the casting allows for a number of standout roles for younger and older boys and girls. Written by the award-winning composer/lyricist team of Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens and based on E.L. Doctorow's distinguished novel, the musical intertwines the stories of three extraordinary families, as they confront history's timeless contradictions of wealth and poverty, freedom and prejudice, hope and despair, and what it means to live in America.
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Ahrens & Flaherty Interview: RAGTIME Production Sizes
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MUSIC BY | George Stiles
LYRICS BY | Anthony Drewe
BOOK BY | Anthony Drewe
Based on the "Just So" stories by Rudyard Kipling
How did the Elephant get his trunk? How did the Leopard get his spots? How did the Rhinoceros get his skin?
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Rudyard Kipling’s JUST SO stories are brought to life in a delightful musical by the writers of MARY POPPINS. Weaving together
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