I am heading up a community theatre in a small town. And for the musical, I am thinking about doing Godspell Jr. and casting HS students, and Jr High students to do this youth musical adaption. I looked into it, and it looks like it would be perfect for what I want to accomplish. However, I am such a prude. Unless I find an older guy, 17-18 that can deliever Jesus excellently-- I am not going to let anyone do it, but myself. Because I know I can deliever Jesus the way I want to do it. WOULD it be an impossible situation for me to direct the Jr. Adaption while playing the lead? I dont think it would be so much, because its going to a small cast... but, its just something I am weighing out. The Jr. adaption--Jesus's notes are slightly higher---but being a Tenor 1-- a high tenor, I dont see how it would be an issue.

IF this an impossible situation, what would be a great musical to do for HS and Jr. students that wouldnt require much orcherstrations, choreography, and effort?

Really, I wouldn't recommend it. I don't really stand behind a director ever being in their own production unless absolutely necessary, but I'd really discourage against it in this case. I'm not familiar with Godspell, Jr but in the original script, I'd say Jesus' lines make up at least 50% of the script if not more. I don't think it would be fair to you or your cast to have to divide your time between helping them with their performances and working on your own. Also, no matter how great your performance, people will look down at the fact that you cast yourself as the show's lead and it may affect the attendence you have at future auditions. But really, if your Jesus doesn't do it EXACTLY the way you want, is it all that bad? Maybe he will have different or even better ideas. You can even give him an idea of how you see Jesus as being played.

Directors direct. Actors act. The two jobs should never cross in a production unless it's a true emergency. And you being stuck-up about how the part should be played isn't an emergency. If you want to be Jesus, don't direct the show and audition for it. If you choose that route, however, you run the risk of not being cast. If you simply have to direct, get over yourself and let someone else play the role of Jesus.

A good rule for every actor to remember- You are never as good as you think you are, and no matter how good you may be, there is always someone better.

I agree with what's been said above, and anyways... Jesus's lines are a good 60-75% of the dialogue. SO it would be a pretty hard job to direct and be a lead. And that shouldn't ever be done in the first place.

And you can always get a girl to play Jesus. It works very well, especially if you are drawing from High/Middle school students.

Why not do the full version? I just directed it with the same age group... and then my Jeffrey quit right before tech week so I had to go in for his part. It would work fine.

I didnt quite explain the situation.... It will be a church production. So it wont look that badly. You also have to understand--THERE is no one in the town that can do all of this. Its a town of 3,000. But, I am just weighing it out, right now. I am not even sure I want to do it.

Anywho...

Thats all.

Even in a small town, you will most definately be able to find 10 talanted singers, especially if you fish in the high school choir pool.

I agree about doing regular Godspell vs the junior version. SO much better.

...and don't act if you are directing. If you want to be Jesus so badly, find someone else to direct.

My old highschool had a population of less than one thousand and was able to cast all the male roles (from their even more limited male talent pool). There is quite possibly someone who you haven't discovered yet. But really, if it is that much of a problem, just do a different show.

There is NO HS choir, I have been there... I know... People. I know it sounds crazy, but its true. They have an ensemble, but there are only 5 decent singers-- and one of them is my sister.

I am starting the Towns Community Theatre from the ground up. There is no gaurantee that there will even BE a musical. I am looking for Plays right now, Straight plays to do- And I am finding it very difficult to find things that will work with the people that I think I will have. And in a perfect scenario, there will be a huge buzz around town--and tons of people will turn out and it will kick off the ground. But being in a very ranching Central Texas Town-- I seriously doubt, that it will attract more than 100 people at least at performances, and even less showing up for auditions. But I was just thinking about IF, there is no one to do this part-- And I want to really to do this show, How could I do it? And the only scenario I had thought of-- Is me being the lead. I am not being selfish, I am not being a hog-- I would LOVE to have someone to do the part--and me pour my creative energy in producing a damn good Godspell. I would love to do the full version, but the way I look at it-- I would have to find musicians--since there would be NO Accompinent Tape (Which WOULD BE PRETTY difficult.), I would have to find more actors, and more resource (money) in doing it. I would love there to be enough actors, singers, directors, and everything-- BUT it isnt there, right now. There may be, when I get to that point... but I dont know.

So stop being theatre snobs--sorry It just gets on my nerves when people act like I am retarded and dont know all the logistics and what it takes to put on a show- I have been involved in Theatre since I was 12 (I am almost 24) , and I know very well how much it takes and how much it will take to make a show good. I know how much pressure it takes to be a director, and do all of those things. I dont know it just gets on my nerves.

--Dave.

Well, then why did you even ask us? I didn't see much snobbery in most of the comments made so far. Obviously none of us believe it is a good idea. Maybe, instead of mounting a full production when you don't know what your pool really is, do something smaller. I'm in a theater group that was also raised from the ground up. Their first production was a talent show and the women in charge found most of their contestants by spreading the word across the net (which, in the late 90's, meant that they searched words like musical theater, singing, acting and dancing through AOL's member directory and e-mailed people in our area). Many of those members did the next thing, a revue benefit for 9/11. The original contestants also spread the word to people they knew. Then those spread the word to even more people (including me) when our group mounted it's first full show (which was Godspell) and we've been growing ever since through word of mouth and newspaper ads. Unfortunately, it takes time. Our group did it's talent show in 1999. Godspell was finally produced in 2002. But really, no matter what we say it is still up to you.

This sounded like snobbery to me. But, I respect everyones opinion. This was the post in question. I am sorry, I just found it to be very off-putting to judge my situation. When there was no back story to base the judgement.

I have one script lined up for the first show, most likely-- it is going to be a very small show, with 3 actors and from there--we'll see what happens.

I agree with doing the junior as the first musical, mostly because of the backing tracks. The Jr version is really not that great, but there's a lot of "wiggle room" where you can add stuff in or do it a bit differently. Godspell Jr. was the first musical at my school after 10+ years of no dramam department. Went amazingly.

And if you're still worried about the talent pool. You should definately wait until auditions are over before you consider casting yourself. And to get a bunch of people to auditions, just advertise like hell. Try local newspapers or stores, and definately a LOT around where you'll be performing. Location can make a big difference for high school actors. If, after all of this, there is absolutely NOBODY who could even attempt the lead, them you could consider casting yourself, but I'd recommend talking to the rest of the cast as to why you had to do it, and to get an assistant director to direct while you're on stage... which will be the entire show. It most likely would be better to wait until after auditions until you think about casting yourself, and who knows? maybe somebody will show up from out-of-town, or somebody nearby will pop up.

I apoligize if I sounded like a snob earlier, but I, and I'm sure everyone else, were just voiceing their opinions and giving their advice.