Which musical would be the most logistically challenging for a high school production?

Examining practical constraints only, which musical would be the most difficult to execute at a typical high school?

hey, i think the lion king would be a beast for high school stages with its tricky puppetry and wild costume ideas. the rapid scene changes are a major headache too

Hey all, I’ve been mulling over this question and it’s really got me thinking. To me, something like Phantom of the Opera seems like a seriously tough nut to crack for a high school production. You’ve got these elaborate set pieces that require a ton of precision, not to mention the technical finesse needed to trigger shock and suspense on cue. Then there’s the cast and crew coordination which can be a huge challenge when you’re juggling complex musical numbers with heavy vocal demands. I’m curious what you all think—do you reckon these kinds of productions push schools to their limits in ways that simpler musicals might not? Has anyone here ever attempted something along these lines, or maybe seen a high school production take on a monumental show like this? Would love to hear more about your experiences and what hurdles you encountered!

High school productions often face unique challenges with musicals that require extensive staging and large casts. In my experience, choosing a production such as Les Misérables can stretch even the most capable teams due to the need for multiple set changes, historically accurate costumes, and intricate choreography. Such shows demand a high degree of coordination for vocal performances, blocking, and rapid transitions. This level of complexity can overwhelm the limited resources and time high schools have available, making it one of the most logistically challenging choices for a production.