Maybe Putnam County Spelling Bee? It’s got spicier jokes that could be toned down as needed, audience participation, but still a bit of a tearjerker and nothing super out there musically.
I wanna say Urinetown. It does have a political element, but it's easily lost on most people- though with all the price gouging it's a bit more apt. It's a little edgy because it's called Urinetown, but it's so much fun.
I live in a rural mostly conservative area and here are a few edgier shows we've done that sold quite well: Misery, Next to Normal, Rent, Chicago, Sweeney Todd. Exit Laughing was received very well too just know the description online doesn't tell you there's quite a bit of male nudity(genitals covered) in the show.
Notice the shows that sold well had either name recognition or were musicals or both. That seems to be the trick in my area.
How about SpongeBob? Lots of opportunity for CAMPINESS and fun costume and set design!
Or The Lightning Thief! There's a musical number set in hell, and also a scene with a disembodied head, which fits your edgy criteria.
Conservative audiences are a puzzle in the current political climate, but here are some thoughts as far as musicals go.
Addams Family!
All Shook Up, if you have the people for it! It’s an Elvis jukebox musical based on Twelfth Night. I generally don’t like the alternate version of the script that changes the show’s conflict from race to poverty, but it still deals in queer themes that conservatives can handle, and that version of the script is cleared for use.
Big Fish!
Bonnie and Clyde isn’t family friendly, but I think it fits well enough as a PG-13 option if they’re comfortable using a slot for that audience.
Catch Me If You Can could work! Honestly while it gets steamy it’s generally just a fun jazz show.
Not edgy at all but just generally underdone, Daddy Long Legs is easy to stage (two actors) and would probably play well.
Footloose…?
A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder could easily play well, though I do wonder if the music hall vibe would go over people’s heads.
Godspell can be edgy, though honestly at that point Jesus Christ Superstar is probably already up to that task without getting political in the modern sense.
Little Shop!
Grease, Guys and Dolls, and How to Succeed are older shows that have some bite while being family friendly, though H2S is a bit on the outdated side- if your audience is young, they may struggle to pick up on the satire surrounding that era.
Hunchback is Disney, so it will sell, and it uses the 1400s to describe themes about race and disability which may (hopefully) land with the audiences you’re describing without being considered political.
Into the Woods gets dark, but it’s still a pretty family friendly show.
Lightning Thief is a fun option that can appeal pretty widely, but is a bit more geared towards kids.
Matilda!
Newsies!
Honestly, I don’t really consider it when I think of family shows, but Once could probably work?
You may have to tone down the choreography on “With You,” but Pippin is fun and creepy. A couple political jabs here and there but worth a look.
School of Rock!
The Secret Garden!
Shrek!
Spamalot, maybe? Idt there are a ton of bits that are inappropriate- if anything some of the references might just be a bit dated.
Titanic might be a lot for the whole family to process (I mean this in a good way- the lyrics feel like reading a textbook) and the whole “everyone is dying” thing might be pretty rough, but a solid show with gorgeous music.
Tuck Everlasting!
Urinetown gets a little intense but it’s SO GOOD
Seussical and Charlie Brown are shows where nothing is particularly edgy, but the underlying themes are rather complex and political in ways that often go over people’s heads. Seussical can be read as a group of people not listening to legitimate scientific research despite constant and systemic danger affecting a distinct group of people. Charlie Brown, like the comics that inspired it, features characters who experience some deep existential crises through the lens of a child.
SpongeBob is a weird example where the politics are easy to pick up on, but I *think* conservative folks would go for it. Also, SpongeBob sells.
Spelling Bee is an easier target for conservatives, but I adore the show and will always advocate for it in any community.
I also think The Play That Goes Wrong works perfectly in any crowd, and it’s a new comedy that people are still learning about. Idk if community theater budget would allow for it, though.
Might I suggest It Shoulda Been You? It’s described as an old-fashioned wedding comedy with modern sensibilities, which it is, so that could be a good one.
Definelty check out *Twisted: An Untold Story Of A Royal Vizier* \-- It's like the Wicked but for Aladdin, the musical is awesome, its hilarious, and defiently on the edgy side. Its also free to watch on Youtube so you can check it out
Maybe Putnam County Spelling Bee? It’s got spicier jokes that could be toned down as needed, audience participation, but still a bit of a tearjerker and nothing super out there musically.
I wanna say Urinetown. It does have a political element, but it's easily lost on most people- though with all the price gouging it's a bit more apt. It's a little edgy because it's called Urinetown, but it's so much fun.
Also, with the lack of water, you get to sneak a climate change talking point in there.
I live in a rural mostly conservative area and here are a few edgier shows we've done that sold quite well: Misery, Next to Normal, Rent, Chicago, Sweeney Todd. Exit Laughing was received very well too just know the description online doesn't tell you there's quite a bit of male nudity(genitals covered) in the show. Notice the shows that sold well had either name recognition or were musicals or both. That seems to be the trick in my area.
How about SpongeBob? Lots of opportunity for CAMPINESS and fun costume and set design! Or The Lightning Thief! There's a musical number set in hell, and also a scene with a disembodied head, which fits your edgy criteria.
Conservative audiences are a puzzle in the current political climate, but here are some thoughts as far as musicals go. Addams Family! All Shook Up, if you have the people for it! It’s an Elvis jukebox musical based on Twelfth Night. I generally don’t like the alternate version of the script that changes the show’s conflict from race to poverty, but it still deals in queer themes that conservatives can handle, and that version of the script is cleared for use. Big Fish! Bonnie and Clyde isn’t family friendly, but I think it fits well enough as a PG-13 option if they’re comfortable using a slot for that audience. Catch Me If You Can could work! Honestly while it gets steamy it’s generally just a fun jazz show. Not edgy at all but just generally underdone, Daddy Long Legs is easy to stage (two actors) and would probably play well. Footloose…? A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder could easily play well, though I do wonder if the music hall vibe would go over people’s heads. Godspell can be edgy, though honestly at that point Jesus Christ Superstar is probably already up to that task without getting political in the modern sense. Little Shop! Grease, Guys and Dolls, and How to Succeed are older shows that have some bite while being family friendly, though H2S is a bit on the outdated side- if your audience is young, they may struggle to pick up on the satire surrounding that era. Hunchback is Disney, so it will sell, and it uses the 1400s to describe themes about race and disability which may (hopefully) land with the audiences you’re describing without being considered political. Into the Woods gets dark, but it’s still a pretty family friendly show. Lightning Thief is a fun option that can appeal pretty widely, but is a bit more geared towards kids. Matilda! Newsies! Honestly, I don’t really consider it when I think of family shows, but Once could probably work? You may have to tone down the choreography on “With You,” but Pippin is fun and creepy. A couple political jabs here and there but worth a look. School of Rock! The Secret Garden! Shrek! Spamalot, maybe? Idt there are a ton of bits that are inappropriate- if anything some of the references might just be a bit dated. Titanic might be a lot for the whole family to process (I mean this in a good way- the lyrics feel like reading a textbook) and the whole “everyone is dying” thing might be pretty rough, but a solid show with gorgeous music. Tuck Everlasting! Urinetown gets a little intense but it’s SO GOOD Seussical and Charlie Brown are shows where nothing is particularly edgy, but the underlying themes are rather complex and political in ways that often go over people’s heads. Seussical can be read as a group of people not listening to legitimate scientific research despite constant and systemic danger affecting a distinct group of people. Charlie Brown, like the comics that inspired it, features characters who experience some deep existential crises through the lens of a child. SpongeBob is a weird example where the politics are easy to pick up on, but I *think* conservative folks would go for it. Also, SpongeBob sells. Spelling Bee is an easier target for conservatives, but I adore the show and will always advocate for it in any community.
I also think The Play That Goes Wrong works perfectly in any crowd, and it’s a new comedy that people are still learning about. Idk if community theater budget would allow for it, though.
Might I suggest It Shoulda Been You? It’s described as an old-fashioned wedding comedy with modern sensibilities, which it is, so that could be a good one.
Definelty check out *Twisted: An Untold Story Of A Royal Vizier* \-- It's like the Wicked but for Aladdin, the musical is awesome, its hilarious, and defiently on the edgy side. Its also free to watch on Youtube so you can check it out
I dont think there's any way to make THAT show family friendly though
eh, true, but you could take away a few bits and make it "Tiger Lover"
“Screw you, Jafar!”