NPR Ed published the first-ever database of the most popular high school plays and musicals in the U.S. in July 2015. Today, the 2020 numbers are out, so we’ve updated our original story.
Mary Poppins is out and Matilda is in, according to the new high school theater rankings from the Educational Theatre Association. The top spot for high school musicals went to The Addams Family, a show that’s been hanging around the top 10 list for the last decade. Mamma Mia! was the second most-popular, making an appearance on the list for the second year (the rights for schools recently became available). Cinderella rounded out the Top 10 list — a new addition this year.
For full-length plays, Clue finally beat out Almost, Maine (the most popular production for high schools this decade) for the No. 1 spot. The rankings come out as schools across the country are being challenged to adapt their theater and concert performances to online platforms because of the coronavirus.
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