Five great …modern musicals

Dogfight

by Benj Pasek, Justin Paul and Peter Duchan Cast: 5m, 3f + ensemble

It's November 21, 1963. On the eve of their deployment to a growing conflict in Southeast Asia, three young marines set out for one final boys’ night of debauchery. Corporal Eddie Birdlace meets Rose, an awkward and idealistic waitress, and she rewrites the rules of the game and teaches him the power of love.

Why it's great for your students: Studded with impressive songs from the writing team behind The Greatest Showman, Dogfi ght is an unexpected love affair, with a genuine and charming soul – the perfect way to challenge and inspire both performers and audiences.

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

by William Finn and Rachel Sheinkin Cast: 4m, 5f

An eclectic group of six mid-pubescents vie for the spelling championship of a lifetime. While candidly disclosing hilarious and touching stories from their home lives, the tweens spell their way through a series of (potentially made-up) words, hoping never to hear the soul-crushing, pout-inducing, life un-affirming ding of the bell that signals a spelling mistake. Six spellers enter; one speller leaves. At least the losers get a juice box.

Why it's great for your students: A riotous ride, complete with audience participation, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is a delightful den of comedic genius. The relatively small cast and static set make this a perfect option for secondary schools.

13

by Jason Robert Brown, Dan Elish and Robert Horn Cast: 5m, 3f + ensemble

Evan Goldman is plucked from his fast-paced, preteen New York City life and plopped into a sleepy Indiana town following his parents’ divorce. Surrounded by an array of simpleminded middle school students, he needs to establish his place in the popularity pecking order.

Why it's great for your students: With a precocious cast, no character is older than the title, making it wonderful for KS3 students. In the Broadway and London productions even the band was made up of teens, which is a fantastic way to involve a diverse group of artists. The cast is comprised entirely of teenagers, but the stories that come to life here are ageless, the emotions they explore timeless, the laughter and the memories they provide priceless.

Urinetown

by Mark Hollmann, Greg Kotis Cast: 11m, 6f + ensembl

In a Gotham-like city, a terrible water shortage, caused by a 20-year drought, has led to a government-enforced ban on private toilets. The citizens must use public amenities, regulated by a single malevolent company that profits by charging admission for one of humanity's most basic needs. Amid the people, a hero decides he's had enough, and plans a revolution to lead them all to freedom.

Why it's great for your students: Inspired by the works of Bertolt Brecht and Kurt Weill, Urinetown is an irreverently humorous satire in which no one is safe from scrutiny. Praised for reinvigorating the very notion of what a musical could be, Urinetown catapults the comedic romp into the new millennium with its outrageous perspective, wickedly modern wit, and sustained ability to produce gales of unbridled laughter.

Spring Awakening

by Duncan Sheik and Steven Sater Cast: 6m, 6f + ensemble

It is Germany, 1891, a world where the grown-ups hold all the cards. The beautiful young Wendla explores the mysteries of her body and wonders aloud where babies come from… Elsewhere, the brilliant and fearless young Melchior interrupts a mind-numbing Latin drill to defend his buddy, Moritz. One afternoon, in a private place in the woods, Melchior and Wendla meet by accident and soon find within themselves a desire unlike anything they've ever felt. As they fumble their way into one another's arms, Moritz flounders and soon fails out of school. When even his one adult friend, Melchior's mother, ignores his plea for help, he is left so distraught that he can't hear the promise of life offered by his outcast friend, Ilse. Naturally, the headmasters waste no time in pinning the crime of Moritz's suicide on Melchior to expel him. And soon, Mama learns that her little Wendla is pregnant. Now the young lovers must struggle against all odds to build a world together for their child.

Why it's great for your students: This celebration of rebellion provides the perfect opportunity for performers of all types, as well as creativity in the form of costumes, set pieces and lighting. Featuring a pop rock score, this is an ideal show for talented vocalists with strong acting abilities. Join this group of late nineteenth century German students as they navigate teenage self-discovery and coming of age anxiety in a powerful celebration of youth and rebellion.