Broadway song rights for revues?

[MillieDillmount]

Posted: 8/6/09 at 4:07am

I'm sorry if this isn't in the right place, but I know more people are active on this board.

I am seriously thinking of doing a Broadway revue from musicals that are still running on Broadway.

What I can not figure out is if I will need to pay to use each song, or if I don't have to worry about the rights? Is it different if the show is still running?

Thank you so, so much with any help you can offer me!

[dramarama2]

Posted: 8/6/09 at 6:07am

I'm fairly sure that if you've purchased the sheet music to a song, you have permission to perform it, as long as it is not a professional production.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 8/6/09 at 7:14am

I am fairly certain that the fact that the show is currently running would have any impact. However, I don't know much about R&R for individual songs.

[DooWahDiddy]

Posted: 8/6/09 at 11:37am

You need to contact the venue where you plan on performing. Are you in NYC? Places like The Duplex and Don't Tell Mama pay yearly fees to allow their performers to do whatever songs they want to... that's what things like ASCAP and BMI are for.

So just contact the venue and see what their arrangement is.

[Jon]

Posted: 8/6/09 at 11:43am

If you go through ASCAP, you can do no more than 3 songs from any one show. Also, you cannot do a revue with more than 50% of the songs by the same composer.

[TT2]

Posted: 8/6/09 at 11:47am

And also you can't "stage" it without getting grand rights. BMI and ASCAP only license performance rights. For details of what grand rights would be needed for take a look at the link.

Link to licensing Updated On: 8/6/09 at 11:47 AM

[MillieDillmount]

Posted: 8/6/09 at 12:51pm

No, I am not in NYC, I am in a small town in northern Maine. Would that change anything?

And what link, TT2?

Thanks for the help!

[fgreene1938]

Posted: 8/6/09 at 1:35pm

If the sheet music is available for purchase, the song can be performed without paying a fee, but if you're putting together a revue based on current shows that's a different matter, especially if your show is advertised as such. Current BW productions (excluding revivals) are never licensed for community or non-professional productions except in rare cases, so you may have trouble getting permission.

[MillieDillmount]

Posted: 8/6/09 at 1:44pm

Ok, so as long as there is a sheet music out of that song, I can perform it with just having to pay for that sheet music? And I don't have to worry about breaking any laws?

For the song I Know It's Today from Shrek, the sheet music is made available on the contest site, but it's free, does this mean it can't be performed?

Also, what's the best place to buy sheet music? I've never actually bought any before, so I don't know any of the sites. Thanks.

[AndAllThatJazz22]

Posted: 8/6/09 at 4:03pm

^ I purchase my sheet music on Musicnotes.com and JWpeppermusic.com.

Updated On: 8/6/09 at 04:03 PM

[TT2]

Posted: 8/6/09 at 4:09pm

I just edited the post to include the link. While you can buy the sheet music to do a public performance you do need a license from either BMI, ASCAP, or most likely both. If you are just singing for your family and friends you don't need a license.