Musicals for High Schools – Best 50+ Examples

Look no further than this site if you’re looking for the best musicals for high schools because we’ve got all the information you require. Along with the licensing platforms for each of the high school musicals, we’ve also included some essential details that will help anyone plan and stage the best musicals for high schools.

It is impossible to exaggerate the significance of the best musicals for high schools. For students who didn’t feel like they belonged anywhere else in high school, here is a place where everyone can fit in.

These top high school musicals are a terrific beginning to start organizing for the upcoming drama or theatre season, regardless of whether you work in a school with a substantial arts budget or are starting from scratch with a high school drama department.

All that’s left to do is get a cold drink and finish reading this article because it should be educational.

You may learn everything you need to know about a number of the top high school musicals here, including;

  • High School Musical Sets
  • Musicals from High School that aren’t well-known
  • Musicals on a Shoestring
  • Musicals for High School Students
  • Musicals with a Big Cast
  • Musicals that are easy to understand
  • Musicals with the Most Audiences

How to Choose the Best musicals for high schools

Choosing the greatest musicals for high school is a significant task; in addition to finding a production that appeals to your pupils, you also need to take into account parents, the administration of the school, school boards, and the community as a whole. This might be challenging, but it’s rewarding to watch timid kids develop into skilled, self-assured performers.

The best part of high school for drama or theater students is musicals. Do you remember the first time you had the feeling that the other performers had become relatives? When did you take the stage for the first time and find your voice? You hear the audience cheering your performance or laughing at your antics for the first time and think, “Oh, I’m home.”

Best musicals for high schools that take place

The planning and staging of high school musicals with high school actors is exhilarating. The students are absorbed; they have a special understanding of the circumstances and the emotions of the characters. Sets may have been placed strategically around the university for practical purposes.

In this article, we’ve already covered Grease and the top musicals for high school, but there are still more! Read the script carefully before making a decision; shows like Spring Awakening and Bare deal with very serious subjects.

1. Hairspray

  • 11 characters are cast in 11 roles, with a vast ensemble.
    Music Theater International is in charge of licensing.

2. Let the games begin

  • 12 characters, large/flexible ensemble
    Music Theater International is in charge of licensing.

3. 13

  • 8 roles in a flexible ensemble
    Music Theater International is in charge of licensing.

4. A Pop Opera Called “Bare”

  • 7 females, 8 males, and a flexible chorus
    Theatrical Rights Worldwide Licensing

5. Be More Relaxed

  • 4 females, 6 males in the cast
    Concord Theatricals is in charge of licensing.

6. Awakening of Spring

  • Six females and seven males make up the cast.
    Music Theater International is in charge of licensing.

7. The address is 21 Chump Street

  • 1 female, 5 males in the cast
    Concord Theatricals is in charge of licensing.

8. To Evan Hansen

  • 4 females and 4 males in the cast
    Licensing is currently unavailable.

9. Calvin Berger

  • 2 females, 2 males in the cast
    Concord Theatricals is in charge of licensing.

10. Vanities

  • Licensing: Concord Theatricals, Cast: 3 females

11. The Musical Fame

  • The Musical Fame is one of the best musicals for high school; 14 roles in a flexible ensemble
    Music Theater International is in charge of licensing.

12. West Side Story is a musical that is set in New York

  • There are ten roles in this production, with a large ensemble.
    Music Theater International is in charge of licensing (school edition).

13. The Musical Heathers

  • 9 females, 8 males in the cast
    Concord Theatricals is in charge of licensing (teen edition)

14. The Musical Carrie

  • 8 females, 6 males in the cast
    Concord Theatricals is in charge of licensing.

15. Anne of Green Gables

  • 9 characters are in the cast.
    Music Theater International is in charge of licensing.

16. 25th annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

  • This is another best musicals for high school, 9 characters are in the cast.
    Music Theater International is in charge of licensing.

Contemporary Musicals for High Schools

If you have a group of theater kids who are up to date on the most recent Broadway shows and performances, the timeless masterpieces of the golden age will only push you farther. At some point, it’s time to research the top modern musicals for teenagers.

This is more difficult than it seems because many contemporary musicals deal with dark adult topics. The top high school musicals now on the market, these productions have all recently appeared on Broadway or the West End, and they are all licensed.

The following list includes some of them, but not all of them;

17. Matilda

  • 14 roles in a flexible ensemble
    Music Theater International is in charge of licensing.

18. The Musical Legally Blonde

  • This is one of the best musicals for high school, 7 roles in a flexible ensemble
    Music Theater International is in charge of licensing.

19. Disenchanted! (Edition for High School)

  • Another best musicals for high school is the Disenchanted. 6–10 actresses (all female), with an optional ensemble. Broadway Licensing is in charge of licensing.

20. Emma A Pop Musical

  • The Emma pop is one of the best musicals for high school, 14 roles in total, with a flexible ensemble. Broadway Licensing is in charge of licensing.

21. Catch Me If You Can

  • 7 roles in a flexible ensemble
    Music Theater International is in charge of licensing.

22. High School Musical: The Musical

  • 11 characters are cast in 11 roles, with a vast ensemble.
    Music Theater International is in charge of licensing.

23. The Musical Shrek

  • This one of the best musicals for high school; 7 roles in a flexible ensemble
    Music Theater International is in charge of licensing.

Non Prominent high school musicals

If you’re seeking for obscure or unknown musicals for high school drama plays, these productions are a great place to start. Each one’s peculiarity and uniqueness gives depth and richness to the theatrical performance.

A few productions, like the Weird Romance and the Lucky Stiff, are small musicals with actors that provide engaging challenges for your most devoted and enthusiastic pupils in between large-scale presentations.

The following are only a few of them, although there are more as well;

24. Urinetown

  • Cast: 14 roles, flexible ensemble
    Licensing: Music Theater International

25. Lucky Stiff

  • Cast: 7 roles
    Licensing: Music Theater International

26. Something’s Afoot

  • Cast: 10 roles
    Licensing: Concord Theatricals

27. Zombie Prom

  • Cast: 10 roles
    Licensing: Concord Theatricals

28. Weird Romance

  • This is one of the best musicals for high school; Cast: 9 roles
    Licensing: Concord Theatricals

29. High Fidelity (High School Edition)

  • Cast: 20 roles, flexible ensemble
    Licensing: Broadway Licensing

Musicals for High Schools on a Shoestring Budget

Many schools’ drama and theater departments have meager budgets or none at all. If this describes you, a cheap high school musical might be the solution. By saving on license, costume, and/or set fees, you can provide your students an unforgettable musical experience without having to cope with numerous fundraising activities.

Although not all of them are listed below, they include the following;

30. The Pirates of Penzance

  • Cast: 11 roles, optional ensemble
    Licensing: Public domain

31. A Bronx Tale (High School Edition)

  • Bronx Tale is one of the best musicals for high school; Cast: 6 roles
    Licensing: Broadway Licensing

32. The Fantasticks

  • Cast: 8 roles
    Licensing: Music Theater International

33. The Apple Tree

  • Cast: 3-9, flexible ensemble
    Licensing: Music Theater International

34. The Robber Bridegroom

  • 10 roles, flexible ensemble
    Licensing: Music Theater International

35. Disaster! The Musical

  • Disaster is one of the best musicals for high school; Cast: 11 roles, flexible ensemble
    Licensing: Music Theater International

Simple Musicals for High Schools

If you’ve ever directed a musical, you are aware of the amount of effort required. For a simpler process, look for simple programs. One thing unites these musicals, and that aspect alone will make your life simpler.

Some of them are easy to learn, like Cinderella. The direction of other simple musicals is likewise simple, such as working. You won’t have to stress about acting in and managing a huge, annoying cast because there are also small-cast high school musicals.

The following are only a few of them, although there are more as well;

36. Cinderella

  • Cast: 11 roles, large ensemble
    Licensing: Concord Theatricals (Enchanted edition | Broadway version)

37. Once Upon a Mattress

  • Cast: 11 roles, flexible ensemble
    Licensing: Concord Theatricals

38. Working

  • Cast: 6 roles (can be expanded)
    Licensing: Music Theater International

39. Grease

  • Cast: 17 roles, large ensemble
    Licensing: Concord Theatricals (also: school version)

40. Charlie Brown You’re A Good Man

  • Cast: 6 roles
    Licensing: Concord Theatricals

41. Little Shop of Horrors

  • Cast: 8 roles, optional small ensemble
    Licensing: Music Theater International

High School Musicals with a Big Cast

Does a sizable contingent of students come up for auditions at your institution? Having a large number of cast musicals for high school is one of the best ways to ensure that everyone who wants to participate can.

If your high school performance has a good mix of experienced performers and newcomers, look for ensemble-heavy presentations. Large-cast musicals, especially those with various personalities like Bye Bye Birdie, can aid in the development of the skills of all actors and singers.

The following are only a few of them, although there are more as well;

42. Bye Bye Birdie

  • Cast: 11 roles, 11 featured roles, very large ensemble
    Licensing: Concord Theatricals

43. Oklahoma!

  • Oklahoma is another best musicals for high school; Cast: 10 roles, large ensemble
    Licensing: Concord Theatricals

44. The Music Man

  • This is one of the best musicals for high school; Licensing: Music Theater International
    Cast: 13 roles, large ensemble

45. Fiddler on the Roof

  • Fiddler is another best musicals for high school; Cast: 14 roles, flexible ensemble
    Licensing: Music Theater International

46. Seussical

  • The Seussical is best musicals for high schools; Cast: 6 roles, flexible ensemble
    Licensing: Music Theater International

47. Guys and Dolls

  • Guys and Dolls is another best musicals for high schools; Cast: 12 roles, medium-large ensemble. Licensing: Music Theater International

The Most Popular Musicals for High Schools

Choose among the most well-liked high school musicals when all you need to do is make a big splash in your drama or theatre department.

There is a good chance that each of these performances will draw a sizable audience, enabling you to fill your home with pleased friends, family, and neighbors.

The list of well-liked high school musicals below is a good place to start if you want to get people interested in your school’s theatrical club;

48. Mamma Mia is a musical about a mother and her daughter

One of the best musicals for high schools is this one. Mamma Mia! refers to the 2008 musical romance comedy film of the same name. Based on Catherine Johnson’s 1999 novel of the same name theatre production, the movie contains music directed by Phylida Lloyd and written by Catherine Johnson.

The movie itself is based on the music of the well-known band ABBA, with additional music created by ABBA member Benny Andersson. In this movie, Amanda Seyfried, Colin Firth, Christine Baransky, Pierce Brosnan, Meryl Streep, Julie Walters, and Strand Skarska De all have prominent roles.

  • 13 characters in a huge ensemble
    Music Theater International is in charge of licensing.

49. Beauty and the Beast

In 1991, “Beauty and the Beast” was released by Walt Disney Animation. It is an animated musical romance fantasy movie made by Walt Disney Pictures, directed by Kirk Wise and Gary Rosedale, and produced by Don Hahn.

Although this tale is old, in the American Highlands, it never becomes stale. Disney’s most beloved stage adaption made its Broadway premiere only a few years after the 1991 movie won the hearts of viewers everywhere. This is one of the best high school musicals, with songs by Menken and Ashman, a score by Menken and Tim Rice, and a book by Linda Woolverton.

  • 12 characters are cast, with a vast ensemble.
    Music Theater International is in charge of licensing.

50. Into the Woods

The Woods is another top high school musicals. American musical fantasy movie Into the Woods was directed by Rob Marshall in 2014. One of the best high school musicals is this one. James Lapine adapted Stephen Sondheim’s Broadway musical of the same name for the big screen in 1986.

The Walt Disney Pictures-produced film stars James Corden, Anna Kendrick, Meryl Streep, Emily Blunt, Chris Pine, Tracy Earl Herman, Daniel Huttstone, MacKenzie Moz, Christine Baransky, Lila Crawford, Johnny Depp, and Billy Magnussen.

This well-known Stephen Sondheim and James Lappin musical, which integrates the Charles Parrot and Brothers Grimm stories, continues the fairy tale. One of Sondheim’s most approachable compositions, “Into the Woods,” has become a staple in high schools all across the world since its Broadway debut in 1987.

  • There are 18 roles in total, however there is no ensemble. Music Theater International is in charge of licensing.

51. The Addams Family

One of the best high school musicals features a fictional family called the Adams family. American cartoonist Charles Adams founded it in 1938. The original Adams family consisted of Gomez and Morticia Adams, their children Pagsley and Wednesday, as well as relatives like Uncle Fest and Grandma, as well as their housekeepers Lurch and Aristotle, an octopus that served as Pugsley Pet.

Based on the well-known comic by Charles Adam, this musical by Andrew Lipa, Marshall Brickman, and Rick Ellis brings the terrifying title family to life on a typical night. This eerie story made its Broadway debut in 2010, and since then, it has been performed in high schools all around the country.

  • Cast: ten roles, including a large ensemble. Theatrical Rights Worldwide Licensing

52. The Sound of Music

One of the top high school musicals is The Sound of Music. It’s a musical with words by Oscar Hammerstein II and music by Richard Rogers that was composed by Howard Lindsay and Russell Klaus. It is based on Maria von Trapp’s 1949 autobiography, “The Story of Trapp Family Singers.” On the eve of the 1938 Austrian merger, this musical is set.

It tells the tale of Maria, a teacher for a big family who was thinking about becoming a nun. She first fell in love with the kids before moving on to Captain von Trapp, the kids’ widower father.

Despite his opposition to the Nazis, he was forced to accept his appointment to the German Navy.

  • 11 parts, 7 children, and a versatile ensemble
    Concord Theatricals is in charge of licensing.

53. Shrek

In this stage production based on the well-known 2001 movie, the creatures from the fairy tale come to life. With a book by David Lindsay-Abaire, Lindsay-Abaire, and Jeanine Tesori, and a score by David Lindsay-Abaire and Jeanine Tesori; “Shrek” made its Broadway debut in 2008. Like Seussical, it is still well-liked across the nation because of its identifiable themes and wide diversity of mystical animals, which makes it one of the best high school musicals.

54. The Wizard of Oz

The Wizard of Oz is a musical fantasy movie that Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer released in 1939. It is generally praised as one of the greatest movies ever made and is one of the best high school musicals. The Wizard of Oz, a children’s fantasy story by L. Frank Baum, was most successfully adapted into a movie in 1900. The majority of the blame for the film’s director falls on Victor Fleming.

Judy Garland portrays Dorothy Gale, and Ray Bolger, Jack Ha Leigh, Burt Lahr, and Margaret Hamilton also make appearances.

The stage adaptation of “The Wizard of Oz,” recognized as one of the best movies ever made, debuted more than 50 years after the 1939 film’s first premiere. The stage adaptation includes the well-known melody and lyrics by Harold Arlen and E.Y. Harburg as well as a text translated by John Kane. The United Kingdom and the United States both have the

The poignant tale of Dorothy’s journey down the Yellow Brick Road is well-liked in community theaters, educational institutions, and children’s plays in the United States and the United Kingdom.

55. The Little Mermaid

One of the best high school musicals, Little Mermaid, also includes a huge desire for Ariel: to be a part of another world. This musical, which is based on the 1989 blockbuster movie with a score by Alan Mencken and Howard Ashman, also contains a story by Doug Wright and two songs written by Mencken and Glen Slater.

56. Little Shop of Horrors

Another one of the best musicals for high schools is this one. Since its 1982 non-Broadway premiere, this strange little science fiction musical has been sought after. One of Alan Mencken and Howard Ashman’s earlier performances, ” Little Shop of Horrors ” is well-liked by schools, community theaters, and other amateur organizations because to its small cast and fairly straightforward setup.

57. Seussical

This is the final entry on our list of the best musicals for high schools. 20 Dr. Seuss tales are woven together in this musical, most of which center on the elephant Horton and his fight to preserve a unique variety of clover. The high school musical written by Lynn Aarens and Stephen Flaherty is one of the best. It made its Broadway debut in 2000, and because to its vivid characters, it is well-known in schools. Read more on high school musicals.

To Round Up

I hope you found our list of the 50+ best musicals for high schools to be useful. visit our website frequently for more useful guides.

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