60 Proven Hit Shows for High School Theater, by Cast Size

By Wade Arave | Updated October 2026

The most proven large-cast musical you can license is The Phantom of the Opera: 13,981 Broadway performances and $1.36B on Broadway. Mamma Mia!, at $670M, is next. Chicago: Teen Edition leads the mid-size musicals. The Fantasticks, at 17,162 off-Broadway performances, leads the small ones. Among plays, Clue is the top pick in the EdTA survey, The Play That Goes Wrong leads small casts, and A Christmas Carol anchors large ones.

Jump to your cast size:

• Large-cast musicals (18+)
• Medium-cast musicals (11 to 17)
• Small-cast musicals (10 or fewer)
• Large-cast plays (18+)
• Medium-cast plays (11 to 17)
• Small-cast plays (10 or fewer)

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How we ranked these

Most "best high school shows" lists are one person's opinion. This one is ranked by proof.

• Market appeal comes first. We ranked by how long each show ran (Broadway, off-Broadway, West End and national tours), plus Broadway box office where the numbers are public.
• School popularity breaks ties. The tiebreaker is the EdTA Play Survey (2022 to 2023 edition).
• Cast size is the minimum workable cast. Small means 10 or fewer performers, medium means 11 to 17, and large means 18 or more, or a big flexible ensemble. Most shows allow more.
• Broadway gross is cumulative and Broadway-only. The figures come from Wikipedia, which draws on Broadway League data. Tour grosses aren't public in one place, so tours appear by existence and length only.
• Plays are weighted differently. Plays rarely tour, so run length and school production counts matter more than box office.
• Some big hits are missing on purpose. Hamilton, Wicked and The Lion King top the money charts but aren't available to high schools yet. See Big hits you can't license (yet).
• If we couldn't confirm a number, we left it out. Every figure is linked in Sources. Figures are current as of October 2026.

What are the best large-cast musicals for high school?

Large-cast musicals suit programs with a deep roster and a stage big enough for a full ensemble. They carry some of the longest Broadway track records on this list. The ten below weigh run length and Broadway gross together.

The Phantom of the Opera

The Phantom of the Opera needs a large cast of 18 or more performers and is licensed by Concord Theatricals, which now handles the Rodgers & Hammerstein catalog. High schools have been able to license it since 2008. Track record: 13,981 Broadway performances from 1988 to 2023, the longest run in Broadway history, and a $1.36B Broadway gross ($6.06B worldwide). Why it sells: No musical has ever run longer on Broadway, and nearly every family in your audience knows the title. Who it attracts: Parents and sponsors who saw it on tour or on Broadway, administrators who want a prestige title, and singers who want a real vocal challenge. Heads up: The leads need trained voices, especially Christine's soprano range, and the chandelier and boat moments set high design expectations.

See cast breakdown

Mamma Mia!

Mamma Mia! needs a large cast of 18 or more performers and is licensed to high schools by Music Theatre International (MTI). Track record: 5,758 Broadway performances from 2001 to 2015, a $670M Broadway gross ($4B worldwide), and a return to Broadway in 2025. Why it sells: A 14-year run and a 2025 return show the audience hasn't gone away. Who it attracts: Parents and sponsors who know the title, and administrators who want a proven choice.

See cast breakdown

Les Misérables: School Edition

Music Theatre International (MTI) licenses Les Misérables: School Edition, and it needs a large cast of 18 or more performers. Track record: The original production ran 6,680 performances on Broadway from 1987 to 2003 and grossed $515M ($2.7B worldwide). Why it sells: Its original Broadway run is second only to Phantom among the large-cast musicals here. Who it attracts: Parents and administrators who see a serious, prestige title, and incoming 8th graders who want a show with weight.

See cast breakdown

Disney's Beauty and the Beast

Disney's Beauty and the Beast, licensed by Music Theatre International (MTI), calls for a large cast of 18 or more performers. Track record: 5,462 Broadway performances from 1994 to 2007, a $429M Broadway gross ($1.6B worldwide), and a place in the EdTA survey's top five for school productions. Why it sells: A long commercial run plus proven school demand. Who it attracts: Families with young children, incoming 8th graders, and sponsors who want a show the whole community will come to.

See cast breakdown

Hairspray

Hairspray needs a large cast of 18 or more performers, and Music Theatre International (MTI) licenses it for high schools. Track record: 2,642 Broadway performances from 2002 to 2009 and a $252M gross. Why it sells: Seven years on Broadway and a quarter-billion-dollar gross point to an audience that kept coming back. Who it attracts: Parents and administrators looking for a high-energy crowd-pleaser, and incoming 8th graders who want a big ensemble to join.

See cast breakdown

Mary Poppins

Mary Poppins is a large-cast musical, 18 or more performers, licensed by Music Theatre International (MTI). Track record: 2,619 Broadway performances from 2006 to 2013 and a $295M gross. Why it sells: It out-grossed Hairspray on almost the same number of performances. Who it attracts: Families, the younger siblings of your cast, and community sponsors who like a title that works for every age in the audience.

See cast breakdown

Grease: School Version

Concord Theatricals licenses Grease: School Version, which needs a large cast of 18 or more performers. Track record: 3,388 Broadway performances from 1972 to 1980, then 1,505 more in the 1994 revival. Why it sells: Two separate Broadway runs show a title that keeps finding new audiences. Who it attracts: Parents who grew up with it, which makes it an easy sell to sponsors and administrators, and teens who want a big social cast.

See cast breakdown

Fiddler on the Roof

Fiddler on the Roof calls for 18 or more performers, a large cast, and is licensed by Music Theatre International (MTI). Track record: 3,242 Broadway performances from 1964 to 1972. Why it sells: Eight years on Broadway is a long record for a classic. Who it attracts: Administrators and parents who value serious subject matter, and programs with strong ensemble singers and dancers.

See cast breakdown

Annie

Annie is licensed by Music Theatre International (MTI) and needs a large cast of 18 or more performers. Track record: 2,377 Broadway performances from 1977 to 1983. Why it sells: A six-year original run and a title many families know. Who it attracts: Families with young children, incoming 8th graders, and sponsors who like a show for all ages.

See cast breakdown

Matilda

The full version of Matilda needs a large cast of 18 or more performers. Music Theatre International (MTI) licenses it and also offers a JR version. Track record: 1,554 Broadway performances from 2013 to 2017. Why it sells: It has the newest original Broadway run of these ten, so families may still know the title. Who it attracts: Families and incoming 8th graders, and administrators who like that the JR version lets a feeder middle school do the same title.

See cast breakdown

Close calls: Newsies (1,004 Broadway performances, MTI) and The Wiz (1,672 Broadway performances) just missed the cut.

What are the best medium-cast musicals for high school?

Medium-cast musicals fit many programs: 11 to 17 performers plus an optional ensemble you can grow or trim. This is where the most-produced musical in the EdTA survey sits. Several shows here had modest Broadway runs and earn their spot through tours and school popularity.

Chicago: Teen Edition

Chicago: Teen Edition fits a medium cast of 11 to 17 performers and is licensed to high schools by Concord Theatricals. Track record: The Broadway production has run 11,808 performances since 1996, as of October 2026, and has grossed $874M, the highest Broadway gross of any show in this guide. Why it sells: No other title here has stayed on Broadway as long. Who it attracts: Administrators and sponsors who recognize a long-running hit, and teens drawn to its dance-forward style.

See cast breakdown

Hadestown: Teen Edition

Concord Theatricals licenses Hadestown: Teen Edition for high schools, and the cast runs 11 to 17 performers. Track record: The Broadway production has run 2,508 performances since 2019, as of October 2026, and has grossed $282M. Why it sells: It is a recent hit that is still running, so the title is current for teens and parents. Who it attracts: Current students and incoming 8th graders who already know the score, and sponsors who want a show with cultural pull.

See cast breakdown

Kinky Boots

Kinky Boots has a medium cast of 11 to 17 performers and is licensed by Music Theatre International (MTI), with no school edition. Track record: 2,505 Broadway performances from 2013 to 2019 and a $319M gross. Why it sells: Six years on Broadway and a route into schools since 2019. Who it attracts: Students and parents who want heart and spectacle. Heads up: High schools have staged it since 2019, but the drag themes have drawn parent pushback. Brief your administration before you announce it.

See cast breakdown

Rent: School Edition

Rent: School Edition, a medium-cast musical for 11 to 17 performers, is licensed by Music Theatre International (MTI). Track record: 5,123 Broadway performances from 1996 to 2008 and a $274M gross. Why it sells: Twelve years on Broadway is the longest run in this category except Chicago. Who it attracts: Older students and parents who remember it, and sponsors who respond to a title with a long reputation.

See cast breakdown

Spamalot

Spamalot is licensed by Theatrical Rights Worldwide (TRW) and needs a medium cast of 11 to 17 performers. Track record: 1,575 Broadway performances from 2005 to 2009. Why it sells: It is one of the comedies that rank high in both commercial and school demand, alongside Clue, Puffs and The Play That Goes Wrong. Who it attracts: Parents and sponsors who want a laugh-out-loud night, and students who like broad comedy and playing several characters.

See cast breakdown

Pippin

For a medium cast of 11 to 17 performers, Pippin is licensed by Music Theatre International (MTI). Track record: 1,944 Broadway performances from 1972 to 1977. Why it sells: A five-year original run gives the title weight. Who it attracts: Students who like theatrical, ensemble-driven storytelling, and administrators who want a classic.

See cast breakdown

In the Heights

Music Theatre International (MTI) licenses In the Heights, which fits a medium cast of 11 to 17 performers. Track record: 1,184 Broadway performances from 2008 to 2011. Why it sells: Three years on Broadway gives it credibility at a manageable cast size. Who it attracts: Dancers and musicians in your program, parents who want a contemporary title, and sponsors who like a show with energy.

See cast breakdown

The Addams Family

The Addams Family needs a medium cast of 11 to 17 performers and is licensed by Theatrical Rights Worldwide (TRW). Track record: 722 Broadway performances from 2010 to 2011, then a US tour from September 2011 to December 2012. It is the number one musical in the EdTA Play Survey. Why it sells: The tour and school demand prove the audience even though the Broadway run was short. Who it attracts: Families, incoming 8th graders, and administrators looking for the most-produced option.

See cast breakdown

Into the Woods

Into the Woods, licensed by Music Theatre International (MTI), is a medium-cast musical for 11 to 17 performers. Track record: The original ran 765 performances on Broadway from 1987 to 1989. A 2022 Broadway revival followed, and a 2023 US tour visited 10 cities. Why it sells: Revivals keep bringing it back. Who it attracts: Parents and administrators who see a quality title, and strong vocal students who want challenging material.

See cast breakdown

Legally Blonde

Legally Blonde needs a medium cast of 11 to 17 performers and is licensed by Music Theatre International (MTI). Track record: 595 Broadway performances from 2007 to 2008, then US tours in 2008 to 2010, 2010 to 2011, 2019 and 2022 to 2023. It ranks in the EdTA top 10. Why it sells: Four tours show steady demand after a short Broadway run. Who it attracts: Incoming 8th graders, students who want a big comedy lead, and parents who want a feel-good show.

See cast breakdown

What is the best small-cast musical for high school?

The Fantasticks, with 8 performers, is the best small-cast musical on this list by run length: it played 17,162 performances off-Broadway, the longest run of any musical ever. Small-cast musicals suit programs with 12 kids instead of 80, or directors who want a lean production. Nunsense and Little Shop of Horrors also ran for years off-Broadway.

An alternate worth knowing: SIX has 6 performers, 2,097 Broadway performances and a $238M gross. SIX: Teen Edition is licensed by Concord Theatricals to accredited US K-12 schools.

The Fantasticks

The Fantasticks needs a small cast of 8 performers and is licensed by Music Theatre International (MTI). Track record: 17,162 off-Broadway performances from 1960 to 2002, the longest run of any musical ever, then a revival that added 4,390 more from 2006 to 2017. Why it sells: No musical has run longer, and it did it with a small cast. Who it attracts: Administrators and sponsors who watch cost, and any director who wants a proven title without a large production.

See cast breakdown

Little Shop of Horrors

Little Shop of Horrors, licensed by Music Theatre International (MTI), needs a small cast of 9 performers. Track record: 2,210 off-Broadway performances from 1982 to 1987. The 2019 off-Broadway revival is still running as of October 2026 and is now the show's longest run. Why it sells: Two off-Broadway runs, decades apart, both found an audience. Who it attracts: Teens and parents who like comedy with an edge, incoming 8th graders, and sponsors who want a title with a long track record.

See cast breakdown

I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change

I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change is a very small cast show for 4 performers, licensed by Music Theatre International (MTI). Track record: 5,003 off-Broadway performances from 1996 to 2008. Why it sells: Twelve years off-Broadway with four performers is a strong case for small casts. Who it attracts: Older students and parents who enjoy sketch-style comedy. Heads up: The show has adult themes. Read the script against your school's content standards and share the plan with your administration before you announce it.

See cast breakdown

Nunsense

Nunsense needs a small cast of 5 performers and is licensed by Nunsense Theatricals. Track record: It opened off-Broadway in 1985 and played 3,672 performances. Why it sells: Years of runs with a very small cast. Who it attracts: Parents and community sponsors who like comedy, and administrators who want a lean production.

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Smokey Joe's Cafe

Smokey Joe's Cafe, licensed by Music Theatre International (MTI), needs a small cast of 9 performers. Track record: 2,036 Broadway performances from 1995 to 2000. Why it sells: Five years on Broadway with nine performers shows a small show can hold a big house. Who it attracts: Parents and sponsors who know the songs, and vocal students who want to carry numbers in a small ensemble.

See cast breakdown

Godspell

Godspell calls for a small cast of 10 performers, and Music Theatre International (MTI) holds the license. Track record: 2,124 off-Broadway performances from 1971 to 1976, then 527 on Broadway from 1976 to 1977. Why it sells: It worked in both venues. Who it attracts: Parents and sponsors who remember it, and students who want an ensemble show where everyone gets a moment.

See cast breakdown

Ain't Misbehavin'

With a cast of 5, Ain't Misbehavin' is one of the smallest musicals here, and Music Theatre International (MTI) licenses it. Track record: 1,604 Broadway performances from 1978 to 1982. Why it sells: Four years on Broadway with five performers shows a small cast can fill a house. Who it attracts: Administrators and sponsors who value a vocal showcase, and strong singers in your program who rarely get featured parts.

See cast breakdown

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee needs a small cast of 9 performers and is licensed by Music Theatre International (MTI) as a School Edition. Track record: 1,136 Broadway performances from 2005 to 2008. Why it sells: A comedy with a School Edition and a Broadway run past a thousand performances. Who it attracts: Incoming 8th graders, middle school teachers looking for a title that fits younger casts, and parents who like comedy.

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Forever Plaid

Forever Plaid needs a very small cast of 4 performers and is licensed by Music Theatre International (MTI). Track record: It ran off-Broadway from 1989 to 1994. We have not confirmed a performance count. Why it sells: Five years off-Broadway with four performers suggests a lean, repeatable production. Who it attracts: Sponsors and parents who enjoy vocal harmony and nostalgia, and administrators looking for a lean show.

See cast breakdown

Dear Evan Hansen

Dear Evan Hansen needs a small cast of 8 performers. Music Theatre International (MTI) opened it to amateur and school groups in December 2025. Track record: 1,672 Broadway performances from 2016 to 2022 and a $270M gross. Why it sells: It is the most recent hit among these ten small-cast musicals. Who it attracts: Current students and incoming 8th graders who know the music. Heads up: The show deals with suicide. Plan counselor support and a parent communication before you announce it.

See cast breakdown

Shortlisted three? Score them in 15 minutes.

Run length and gross tell you a show is a hit. They don't tell you whether it's a hit for your audience. The free Who Is This Show For? worksheet helps you check each finalist against the people who need to say yes: parents, incoming 8th graders, administrators and sponsors.

What plays work for a large cast?

A Christmas Carol is the best-proven large-cast play on this list, and its flexible cast lets you grow the ensemble. Large-cast plays have the thinnest box office evidence of any group here, because commercial theaters rarely stage them. School demand and regional track records carry the case.

A Christmas Carol

A Christmas Carol has a flexible cast that grows with your ensemble, and the licensor varies by adaptation. Dramatic Publishing and Concord Theatricals both license several versions, including musical ones, so check which one you are licensing. Track record: The Guthrie Theater has staged it every year for about 50 years, the longest run in regional theater. The Goodman Theatre has produced it since the 1977 to 1978 season and has drawn more than one million total attendees. Why it sells: It is an annual tradition for regional theaters. Who it attracts: Families, sponsors and administrators who want a holiday anchor.

See cast breakdown

You Can't Take It With You

You Can't Take It With You needs a large cast of 19 performers and is licensed by Concord Theatricals. Track record: 838 Broadway performances from 1936 to 1938, a Pulitzer Prize, and a 2014 Broadway revival. Why it sells: Pulitzer credentials and a revival within the last generation. Who it attracts: Administrators who want literary standing, parents who enjoy classic comedy, and students who want a big, funny ensemble.

See cast breakdown

Arsenic and Old Lace

Arsenic and Old Lace has 14 named roles, and most schools add extras, which puts it at the edge of the large-cast category. It is licensed through Dramatists Play Service. Track record: 1,444 Broadway performances from 1941 to 1944. Count only the 14 named roles and you could place it with the medium-cast plays instead. Why it sells: Its three-year Broadway run is the longest of any large-cast play on this list. Who it attracts: Parents and sponsors who enjoy classic comedies, and students who like character roles.

See cast breakdown

The Crucible

The Crucible needs a large cast of about 21 performers and is licensed by Dramatists Play Service. Track record: It opened on Broadway in 1953 and has had two Broadway revivals, in 2002 and 2016. Why it sells: Repeat Broadway revivals and a permanent place in English classes keep the title familiar. Who it attracts: Administrators and English teachers who see a classroom connection, and parents who studied it themselves.

See cast breakdown

Our Town

Our Town, licensed by Concord Theatricals, needs a large, flexible cast of about 20 or more performers. Track record: It won the Pulitzer Prize, and its 2009 to 2010 off-Broadway revival ran 644 performances, the longest of any production of the play. Why it sells: Literary standing, plus a revival that set the play's own record. Who it attracts: Administrators and English departments, parents who know the play, and programs that want to cast a big group.

See cast breakdown

Inherit the Wind

Inherit the Wind is licensed by Dramatists Play Service and needs a large cast of about 20 speaking roles plus a crowd. Track record: 806 Broadway performances from 1955 to 1957. Why it sells: Two years on Broadway and a crowd scene give it theatrical weight. Who it attracts: Administrators and social studies teachers who see a curriculum link, and parents who like courtroom drama.

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The Man Who Came to Dinner

The Man Who Came to Dinner needs about 22 performers, a large cast, and is licensed by Dramatists Play Service. Track record: 739 Broadway performances from 1939 to 1941. Why it sells: Two years is a strong run for a comedy with so many roles. Who it attracts: Parents and sponsors who like classic comedy, and students who want featured character parts.

See cast breakdown

A Midsummer Night's Dream

A Midsummer Night's Dream is in the public domain, so there is no licensor and no royalty, and it suits a large, flexible cast. Track record: It is the most-produced Shakespeare play in US schools and ranks third among plays in the EdTA Play Survey. Why it sells: No royalty and strong school demand make it a budget-friendly choice. Who it attracts: Administrators who watch budget, English departments, and families who want a recognizable title.

See cast breakdown

To Kill a Mockingbird

To Kill a Mockingbird, in the Sergel adaptation, is licensed by Dramatic Publishing and needs a large cast of about 20 performers. Track record: A separate adaptation by Aaron Sorkin opened on Broadway in December 2018, became the highest-grossing American play in Broadway history, and toured the US from 2022 to 2024. Why it sells: The title is familiar to many families and English departments. Who it attracts: Administrators and teachers who like the classroom tie-in, and sponsors who want a respected title. Heads up: The Sorkin version is not available to schools. Make sure you are licensing the Sergel version.

See cast breakdown

Alice in Wonderland

Alice in Wonderland comes in various adaptations and works with a large, flexible cast. Check the licensor for your adaptation. Track record: Commercial data is thin. We include it for school demand: it ranks ninth among plays in the EdTA Play Survey. Why it sells: It is a familiar title that can absorb a lot of cast members. Who it attracts: Families with young children, incoming 8th graders and elementary feeder schools.

See cast breakdown

What are the best medium-cast plays for high school?

Medium-cast plays are where school demand is strongest: the top two plays in the EdTA survey, Clue and Puffs, both sit here. These shows suit programs with 11 to 17 performers. Plays rarely tour, so we weight run length and school popularity over box office.

Life with Father

Life with Father needs a medium cast of about 16 performers, and it is published by Dramatists Play Service. Track record: 3,224 Broadway performances from 1939 to 1947, the longest run of any non-musical play on Broadway. Why it sells: The record run is the reason to know it. Who it attracts: Older audiences and sponsors who remember it. Heads up: The play is dated and rarely done now, so ask whether it will land with a current teenage cast and audience.

See cast breakdown

Harvey

Harvey, licensed by Dramatists Play Service, needs a medium cast of about 12 performers. Track record: 1,775 Broadway performances from 1944 to 1949. Why it sells: Five years on Broadway is strong proof for a comedy with a modest cast. Who it attracts: Parents and grandparents who enjoy classic comedy, and administrators who want a manageable show.

See cast breakdown

Clue: High School Edition

Clue: High School Edition is licensed by Concord Theatricals and needs a medium cast of about 10 to 14 performers. Track record: The professional US tour began in February 2024 and is now in its third season. Clue is the number one play in the EdTA Play Survey. Why it sells: It combines active touring with the top school ranking. Who it attracts: Incoming 8th graders and teens who want a comedy, parents who want a night out that everyone enjoys, and sponsors who like a title people recognize.

See cast breakdown

Peter and the Starcatcher

Peter and the Starcatcher needs a medium cast of 12 performers, and Music Theatre International (MTI) licenses it. Track record: It played Broadway in 2012 and off-Broadway through January 2014, and toured the US from 2013 to 2014. It ranks in the EdTA top 10. Why it sells: Broadway, off-Broadway and a tour all found an audience. Who it attracts: Families and incoming 8th graders, and administrators who like a play that rewards imaginative staging.

See cast breakdown

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, licensed by Concord Theatricals, needs a medium cast of about 10 performers plus an ensemble. Track record: 800 Broadway performances from 2014 to 2016, a US tour from September 2016 to September 2017, and a UK tour seen by more than 400,000 people. Why it sells: It succeeded on both sides of the Atlantic. Who it attracts: Administrators and English teachers who value a serious, contemporary play.

See cast breakdown

Puffs

Puffs is licensed by Puffs Theatricals and needs a medium cast of 11 performers. Track record: It started off-off-Broadway, then ran off-Broadway at New World Stages from July 2017 to August 2019. It is the number two play in the EdTA Play Survey. Why it sells: Two years off-Broadway plus strong school demand. Who it attracts: Incoming 8th graders, current students, and parents who want a comedy.

See cast breakdown

Twelve Angry Men / Jurors

Twelve Angry Men, also known as Jurors, is licensed by Dramatic Publishing and needs a medium cast of 15 performers. Track record: Roundabout Theatre Company gave it its first Broadway staging in 2004, which won the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Revival, then toured the US from 2006 to 2008. It also ranks in the EdTA top 10. Why it sells: School demand carries it. Who it attracts: Administrators and teachers who like a single-set drama, and students who want an ensemble of strong roles.

See cast breakdown

The Diary of Anne Frank

The Diary of Anne Frank needs a medium cast of 13 performers and is licensed by Dramatists Play Service. Track record: 717 Broadway performances from 1955 to 1957 and a Pulitzer Prize. Why it sells: Pulitzer standing and a significant Broadway run. Who it attracts: Administrators, history and English teachers, and parents who value an educational title.

See cast breakdown

Radium Girls

Radium Girls is licensed by Dramatic Publishing and needs 10 performers, with doubling that can expand to 30 or more. Track record: A regional and school hit with little commercial data. It tied for fourth among full-length plays in the 2022 to 2023 EdTA Play Survey. Why it sells: School demand is the whole case. Who it attracts: Science and history teachers who see a classroom link, administrators who like a title with a story behind it, and students who want strong ensemble roles.

See cast breakdown

She Kills Monsters

She Kills Monsters: Young Adventurers Edition is licensed by Concord Theatricals and written for high school groups. Concord lists 9 roles (6 women, 3 men), and many schools add an ensemble. Track record: It began off-off-Broadway and has been produced regionally. It ranks in the EdTA top 10. Why it sells: Strong school demand without a large commercial run. Who it attracts: Teens and incoming 8th graders looking for a contemporary play, and parents who want a show their kids are excited about.

See cast breakdown

What is the best small-cast play for high school?

The Play That Goes Wrong is the best-proven small-cast play on this list, with 8 performers. Small-cast plays suit programs with a small roster, and they include The Mousetrap, which has run in the West End since 1952. Here the proof is run length and tours.

The Play That Goes Wrong: High School Edition

The Play That Goes Wrong: High School Edition is licensed by Concord Theatricals and needs a small cast of 8 performers. Track record: 745 Broadway performances, off-Broadway since February 2019, and a US tour that recouped in 15 weeks. It tied for fourth among full-length plays in the 2022 to 2023 EdTA Play Survey. Why it sells: Broadway, off-Broadway and touring audiences all showed up. Who it attracts: Incoming 8th graders, parents who want to laugh, and sponsors who like a fast-moving comedy.

See cast breakdown

The Mousetrap

The Mousetrap needs a small cast of 8 performers and is licensed by Concord Theatricals. Track record: It has played in the West End since 1952, reached its 30,000th performance in March 2025, is booked to July 2027, and tours the UK and Ireland in 2026 to 2027. Why it sells: No play on this list has run longer. Who it attracts: Parents, grandparents and sponsors who know the title. Heads up: US high schools have staged it, but rights can be pulled when a professional production is nearby, so confirm availability before you announce.

See cast breakdown

Deathtrap

Deathtrap, licensed by Dramatists Play Service, needs a small cast of 5 performers. Track record: 1,793 Broadway performances from 1978 to 1982. Why it sells: Four years makes it the longest Broadway run of any small-cast play on this list. Who it attracts: Parents and sponsors who like suspense, and older students who want a plot-driven play.

See cast breakdown

Barefoot in the Park

Barefoot in the Park needs a small cast of 6 performers and is licensed by Concord Theatricals. Track record: 1,530 Broadway performances from 1963 to 1967. Why it sells: Four years for a six-person comedy is strong evidence. Who it attracts: Parents and grandparents who enjoy classic romantic comedy, and administrators who want a small production.

See cast breakdown

The 39 Steps

The 39 Steps is a four-performer comedy licensed by Concord Theatricals. Track record: 771 Broadway performances from 2008 to 2010, then off-Broadway, plus US and UK tours. Why it sells: Broadway, off-Broadway and two touring markets, all with four performers. Who it attracts: Students who want fast, physical comedy, parents who like a thriller with jokes, and sponsors looking for a modest budget.

See cast breakdown

Brighton Beach Memoirs

Concord Theatricals licenses Brighton Beach Memoirs, which needs a small cast of 7 performers. Track record: 1,299 Broadway performances from 1983 to 1986. Why it sells: Three years for a family drama shows durable appeal. Who it attracts: Parents and administrators who value a classic American play, and students who want strong dialogue roles.

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Sleuth

Sleuth needs only 2 performers and is licensed by Concord Theatricals. Track record: 1,222 Broadway performances from 1970 to 1973. Why it sells: It has the smallest cast on this list and still ran three years on Broadway. Who it attracts: Programs with two standout actors, administrators looking for a small production, and audiences who like a twist.

See cast breakdown

The Odd Couple

The Odd Couple is licensed by Concord Theatricals and needs a small cast of 8 performers. Track record: 964 Broadway performances from 1965 to 1967. A female version from 1985 is also available. Why it sells: Two licensed versions give you casting flexibility. Who it attracts: Parents and sponsors who know the title, and programs whose casts skew female or male.

See cast breakdown

Noises Off

Noises Off needs a small cast of 9 performers and is licensed by Concord Theatricals. Track record: 553 Broadway performances in 1983, with revivals in 2001 and 2016. Why it sells: Two revivals show it still finds audiences. Who it attracts: Sponsors and parents who enjoy farce, and casts that can handle precise timing.

See cast breakdown

Almost, Maine

Almost, Maine is licensed through Dramatists Play Service and works with a flexible cast of 4 to 19 performers. Track record: It closed after one month off-Broadway in 2006, then returned in a 2014 revival. It has been called the most-produced North American high school play of the past decade and ranks sixth among plays in the EdTA Play Survey. Why it sells: School demand, not the New York run, is the proof here. Who it attracts: Small and large programs alike, parents who like gentle romance, and administrators who want a flexible cast.

See cast breakdown

Can high schools perform Hamilton, Wicked or The Lion King?

Mostly not, but that is changing. Wicked, The Lion King (full version), The Book of Mormon and Harry Potter and the Cursed Child top the money charts but have no high school license. Hamilton has one on the way, and Phantom has been available for years. Here is where each stands as of October 2026, with a licensable show that scratches a similar itch.

• Hamilton: Not yet. Concord Theatricals acquired the licensing rights in November 2025 and plans a Teen Edition for schools, expected in 2028. Until then, try In the Heights, Lin-Manuel Miranda's first Broadway musical, licensed by MTI.
• Wicked: No school license has been announced. For a big, female-led musical with a large ensemble, look at Mamma Mia! or Legally Blonde.
• The Lion King (full version): Not available. Disney's The Lion King JR. exists, but MTI sells its Broadway Junior titles to elementary and middle schools. For a Disney title at full high school scale, Disney's Beauty and the Beast is licensed by MTI.
• The Phantom of the Opera: Available. Schools have been able to license it since 2008, after a pilot program. Rights now sit with Concord Theatricals, so check current terms there. It ran 13,981 Broadway performances, the longest run in Broadway history, and grossed $1.36 billion on Broadway.
• The Book of Mormon: Not appropriate for high schools. For an irreverent musical comedy you can license, Spamalot (Theatrical Rights Worldwide) is the closest fit.
• Harry Potter and the Cursed Child: Not available. Puffs, a play about the "other" students at a certain wizard school, ranked second among full-length plays in the 2022 to 2023 EdTA survey and is licensed for schools.

The best available bets are long-running shows that later got school editions: Mamma Mia!, Chicago, Hadestown, Les Misérables and Rent.

Patterns from the data

• The money leaders mostly aren't available. The biggest Broadway grossers are off-limits to high schools, so the best bets are the long-running shows listed above that later got school editions.
• Comedy wins in both markets. Clue is the number one EdTA play, Puffs is number two, and The Play That Goes Wrong is number four. Each also has a strong commercial record, and Spamalot ran 1,575 performances on Broadway.
• Small-cast musicals include the longest runs. The Fantasticks played 17,162 performances, Nunsense played 3,672 and Little Shop of Horrors played 2,210 off-Broadway. These shows ran for years with small casts.
• Large-cast plays are a gap. Commercial theaters rarely stage them, so schools have little box office proof to lean on.

Frequently asked questions

What is the most popular high school musical right now?

According to the 2022 to 2023 EdTA Play Survey, The Addams Family, licensed by Theatrical Rights Worldwide (TRW), is the number one musical in US high schools. Disney's Beauty and the Beast ranks in the top five and Legally Blonde in the top 10. These are the most recent results EdTA has published as of October 2026.

What is the best musical for a small cast?

The Fantasticks is the best-proven small-cast musical, with 8 performers and 17,162 off-Broadway performances from 1960 to 2002. Little Shop of Horrors (9 performers) and Nunsense (5 performers) also had long runs. All three are licensed for schools.

What plays work for a large cast?

A Christmas Carol, A Midsummer Night's Dream and You Can't Take It With You are the strongest large-cast picks here. A Christmas Carol has a flexible cast and a long regional record, A Midsummer Night's Dream is in the public domain with no royalty, and You Can't Take It With You needs 19 performers.

Can high schools perform Dear Evan Hansen, SIX or Kinky Boots?

Yes, all three are available to high schools, with different terms. Music Theatre International (MTI) opened Dear Evan Hansen to amateur and school groups in December 2025. SIX: Teen Edition is licensed by Concord Theatricals to accredited US K-12 schools. MTI licenses Kinky Boots without a school edition, and high schools have staged it since 2019.

What's the difference between a School Edition and a Teen Edition?

The names are licensor branding. Music Theatre International (MTI) calls its school versions School Editions, such as Les Misérables and Rent. Concord Theatricals uses Teen Edition for Chicago, Hadestown and SIX, and School Version or High School Edition for Grease, Clue and The Play That Goes Wrong. MTI describes its School Editions as author-approved versions with content adjusted and some production, music or dance demands simplified for high schools. The exact changes vary by show, so read the perusal script before you commit.

How do I choose a show that sells tickets?

Start by deciding who the show is for, then check that the title has a record with that audience. Parents, incoming 8th graders, administrators and sponsors each respond to different things, and the worksheet above scores a shortlist against all four.

Once you've picked the show, plan it in one place

Script to Stage is a production planning tool for theater directors and teachers. Upload your script PDF and it pulls out the cast, scenes, French scenes, props, musical numbers and effects. Add your constraints and you get a day-by-day rehearsal schedule you can edit, plus call sheets and exports. Uploading and parsing are free, with no account needed. A schedule is $3.

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About the author

Wade Arave taught high school and middle school theater before moving into higher education admissions. He built Script to Stage because he knows the time it takes to run a successful educational theater program. The figures on this page come from published sources: Broadway League data via Wikipedia, the EdTA Play Survey, and licensor announcements. Every source is linked below.

Sources

• Wikipedia: Longest-running Broadway shows
• Wikipedia: Highest-grossing musicals
• EdTA Play Survey (2022 to 2023)
• Wikipedia: The Play That Goes Wrong; Playbill: national tour of The Play That Goes Wrong recoups
• New York Theatre Guide: The 39 Steps moves off-Broadway
• IBDB: Peter and the Starcatcher tour; BroadwayWorld: Peter and the Starcatcher closes off-Broadway
• Playbill: Curious Incident launches North American tour
• Licensing: MTI: Kinky Boots available; Patch: first high school Kinky Boots; BroadwayWorld: Dear Evan Hansen available via MTI (December 2025); Playbill: SIX Teen Edition now available; Concord: US licensing
• Run lengths (Wikipedia): The Fantasticks, Little Shop of Horrors, I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change, Nunsense, Godspell, Forever Plaid, The Addams Family, Legally Blonde, Into the Woods, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, Puffs, You Can't Take It With You, Inherit the Wind, The Man Who Came to Dinner, The Diary of Anne Frank, The Odd Couple, Noises Off, Our Town, Almost, Maine, The Mousetrap
• Playbill: Clue national tour announcement; BroadwayWorld: Clue second national tour cast
• American Theatre: Concord acquires Hamilton licensing rights; Playbill: Hamilton coming to high schools in 2028
• Playbill: Phantom of the Opera licensed to high schools and colleges
• Hollywood Reporter: To Kill a Mockingbird Broadway closing; Playbill: Mockingbird US tour
• IBDB: Twelve Angry Men tour; Roundabout archive: Twelve Angry Men 2004
• Wikipedia: The Crucible
• Licensors: Dramatic Publishing: Radium Girls; Concord: She Kills Monsters: Young Adventurers Edition; Dramatic Publishing: A Christmas Carol adaptations
• MTI: School Edition materials
• Meet Minneapolis: Guthrie A Christmas Carol; MPR News 2024; Goodman Theatre: Decades of Delight