I really want to do a broadway musical next year because in the past we've been doing little made up musicals that never turn out well. What musical should we do that we either dont have to get the rights for , or we can get them easily. What do you suggest?
2007-05-05 04:56:35 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Arts & Humanities ➔ Theater & Acting
This will be a public performance
2007-05-05 05:10:15 · update #1
You have to purchase performance rights, unless the work is in the public domain (like Gilbert & Sullivan's stuff).
Check out:
www.mtishows.com
www.tamswitmark.com
www.rnh.com
www.reallyuseful.com
www.samuelfrench.com
2007-05-05 17:08:49 · answer #1 · answered by gelfling 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can look at MTI (music theatre international-they have a website) or dramatists play service. We costume a lot of schools that have very minimal funds, and while they may not be able to afford to do larger more well known shows (like Beauty and the Beast or anything else Disney), they are still able to afford other musicals that are still recognizable.
Each company has a matrix that it uses to determine the fee structure for royalties, and everyone is correct, schools do pay less. There are also cut versions of some well known shows available that are also less expensive, and the more expensive extra scenes have been worked out of the script so that it's easier to put on (Annie Jr. etc. They all have Jr. in them).
Asking for a quote doesn't lock you in to doing the show. Just remember, the more current popular shows and recently off Broadway shows as well as anything Disney is going to be rediculously expensive.
2007-05-05 05:39:50 · answer #2 · answered by average_american_superhero 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Unfortunately you always have to buy the rights to do a show or you can get into trouble and have to pay fines over and above the rights fees. There aren't many if any high caliber shows you can do that you don't have to pay for the rights for. As some have already suggested, MTI is the main source for that. Other sources have lesser known plays and usually audiences are left wondering why you did that lesser known version and not the one they thought they were coming to see... Maybe your school can raise the money to try doing a big production for next year to see how it goes! If ticket sales make up for production costs, maybe they'd be willing to do it again :-)
2007-05-05 10:35:04 · answer #3 · answered by Marianne D 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You would need to find something in the Public Domain, which pretty much limits you to the works of Gilbert & Sullivan, and even then, you may have to get the rights for the music.
While Gilbert & Sullivan are good possiblities, since musical theatre is we know it today has only been around since the mid 20th-century, you will need to get permission for virtually any musical you want to do.
Generally, the longer a show has been released for amature production, the less money it will cost to secure the performance rights. But revivals of older shows can put them back in the high end market.
A good place to go for a listing of shows and who controls the perfromance rights is: http://www.musicals101.com/
Click on the link to "Find Show Rights & Recordings."
Break a leg.
2007-05-05 05:49:23 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
My school always did broadway productions every year. I know we could get the rights to any show that wasn't currently on broadway very easily, but it was a little harder to get the rights for shows that are playing now. We've done Les Mis, Jekyl, Seussical (which was actually a blast, try it!), Into The Woods, Scarlet Pimpernel, Joseph, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Anything Goes, and JCS. Try one of those, we didn't have a problem with rights.
2007-05-05 05:03:19 · answer #5 · answered by JesB 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I think schools can get rights to Broadway shows for reduced royalty costs. As long as it's a school production and not a public, for profit show you can do it.
Talk to your school adminstrators about obtaining rights. Kids enjoy the "real thing" more than those made for school performance plays and musicals. They are pretty "lame" and the kids know it.
Perhaps your PTSA or a local professional theatre company can help you raise funds to get the rights to a REAL musical.
Don't settle for the "lame" school only material. You can get the real thing....I'm just not sure how.
2007-05-05 05:02:43 · answer #6 · answered by WhatAmI? 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well it really depends on how much money you have to work with, our school just did "CLUE- The Musical", and it turned out pretty sweet. It's just like the board game, and there are like 248 possible endings. But I'm sure the rights are pretty easy to get, since my high school used it.
2007-05-05 05:06:36 · answer #7 · answered by bee 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I know it isn't hard to get the titles for musicals I just don't know where to go. But if your musicals haven't been turning out well in the past you should go with crowd pleasers like Grease or Fiddler on the Roof.
2007-05-05 15:50:28 · answer #8 · answered by allycat091 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hey I remember doing some real cool musicals in Drama (ie Guys and Dolls or Chorus Line) I cant remember where they got it from did you google it. You can google it or use dog pile for searches. I cant think of any websites at the top of my head. Good Luck!
2007-05-05 05:04:28 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
most, if not all, Broadway musicals require rights purchasing. try MTI. this year, my hs did Les Miserables. the rights were a couple thousand dollars, but it was amazing and the most thrilling experience!!!!
2007-05-05 06:32:22 · answer #10 · answered by Jamie 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋