Do I HAVE to buy the rights?

Question

I took my fourth graders to see Seussical the musical, put on by middle schoolers. They LOVED it so much, I thought that we could put on a "mini" version of it. Just 5 of the songs and a much abridged version of the storyline. Do I HAVE to buy the rights to be able to put this on? (I know that the middle school did.) We would NOT charge admission to see it.

Please don't bother answering unless you REALLY know, or least think you know.

Also, any tips would be greatly appreciated. I've never put on a musical before, only chorus concerts. Remember - we are fourth graders, in a very high poverty - (many lead affected) area and we are keeping it simple.

Answer 1

Yes, you do have to buy rights. BUT - if you write to the company that holds the rights to Seussical, they may, in consideration of the age of your group and your no-admission policy, sell you those rights for one dollar.
But you really do have to check with them. Copyright is serious stuff and they don't take kindly to people messing around with their scripts or bootlegging the songs.
However, if you wanted to do a choral presentation (just pick out a few of the songs) and provide some of the action - not the exact script, and certainly not all of it, just enough to give the flavor of the performance, you might be able to do that instead.
For that, you need a narrator to link the stories and the songs together. But it's much easier for the kids because they don't have a lot of memorization to do, and it takes much less rehearsal time.
Break a leg!

Answer 2

Jilly first of all you are an angel for those kids how they ever got that lucky is not known.... I think that if you do not charge for it and it is an impoverished area the people who own the rights would get an horrible black eye from giving you any static for it. I would say that if you can get it past the superintendent or the school board go for it and bless you... every child going to school deserves a chance to be in a musical If you can get as many large fridge and freezer boxes and cut the sides out of them for sets the panels will be just about right for fourth graders to play off of without being too big. Try paints stores in the area that have miss mixed matched paints and should just give it to you just to get rid of it make sure it is all water based. If you have done choral concerts just think of it as a concert like those but with blocking,( your movement of characters) simply put colored tape on the floor for each group to follow when they move and just leave it there during the show that way they can just follow the color that matches what color they are for their parts. maybe have your best singers solo or duet and have the rest broken down into strollers and stationaires as you chorus back ground costumes can be whatever you can get at thrift stores or second hand stores and just have fun.... the parent come to hear more than to see be bold and go for it flat out and know that it will work because what you do is too important not to. Contact me for more help if you wish to good luck and again bless you you are what makes education real and somethng students never forget

Answer 3

If you plan on having a public performance of the script, you need to have the rights obtained. In fact, it will probably state in the rights that you are prohibited from editing the script in any way. So, doing a mini version may be a no-no.

Although, I have known many a middle school drama teacher who has done what you are describing, with the authors' being none the wiser, and that is something that is up to you...

(Be careful: the Seuss estate is very protective of his work.)

Answer 4

Yes, you do have to get the rights - many publishers offer a "Junior" version of popular musicals - shorter, easier, and probably for a lower cost to perform.

But you'll end up owing a lot more money if you don't go through the publisher and they get wind of it - and with the internet, they ALWAYS seem to find out.

Have you considered doing a musical revue, of sorts? You could include songs from Suessical, and probably the songs you use would be covered under your school systems agreement with ASCAP, which most schools have in order to perform music. I'd check with your music department or principal for details on that.

Answer 5

Hi Jilly Find out who has the copy rights to this musical and ask them. Most are good enough to let you do it for free. Explain to them what you are going to do and take it from there.

The middle schoolers may have been using the musical for a fundraiser so the copy right owners wanted a piece of the pie.

I think that sucks but Hey who am I ???
Kids should be able to do this for fun not have to pay ole Tom Sawyer to paint the fence!!!

That's the best I can offer you I hope that helps.

Best of luck to you
Keep Up The Good Work!!!!

Seasons Greetings

Answer 6

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Answer 7

I'm pretty sure you do, but I would ask a theatre teacher just to make sure.