Fiddler Question

[cotter]

Posted: 2/24/07 at 10:04pm

I was wondering in the most recent revival they scrapped "The Rumour" number and replaced it with "Topsy Turvy" do you know if its available to be used when putitng on the show elsewhere? Or are you forced to use "The Rumour". Any ideas as to how I could get permission or get "Topsy Turvey" for my production? Any leads would be great. Thanks!

[ClumsyDude15]

Posted: 2/24/07 at 10:06pm

When we did Fiddler at my summer theater group two summers ago, we did neither. I think The Rumor is never done in any regional or school prodcutions. I'm not sure if the version featuring Topsy Turvy is licensed or not.

[GYPSY1527]

Posted: 2/24/07 at 10:07pm

Wow you actually want that song in the show? I hardley loved the revival but that song did it in for me.

[SeanMartin]

Posted: 2/24/07 at 10:12pm

Rumour is an in-one song, something to cover the set change. We used it in a production in Georgia three or four years ago. It's not a very strong song.

[Jon]

Posted: 2/24/07 at 10:16pm

ClumsyDude - "The Rumor" has been done in every production I've ever seen - and I've seen at least six professional productions.

You can't just randomly cut songs because you don't like them. It's a violation of the licensing agreement.

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 2/24/07 at 10:18pm

I really love "Topsy Turvy". I would suggest e-mailing MTI and asking whether or not this song is available for license as an add on. It’s called something. I know they do it with "Tick Tock" in Company.

[D2]

Posted: 2/24/07 at 10:19pm

Check with the licensing organization. I think MTI handles FIDDLER. They are very helpful when you call them with questions.

[ThankstoPhantom]

Posted: 2/24/07 at 10:22pm

I liked the music/orchestration for "Topsy Turvy", but the lyrics have much to be desired. I feel that "Topsy Turvy" tried too hard to make a statement about the attitudes of Yente and women in the town with their traditions, resulting in a very redundant song.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 2/24/07 at 10:24pm

I heard Barbara Barrie really nailed that one.

[vmlinnie]

Posted: 2/25/07 at 6:45am

They cut the Rumour?!?! Who woould do that? Sure, it's a space filler, but it's good! Besides, when I hear the words 'Topsy Turvy' I think of the Hunchback of Notre Dame.

[ThankstoPhantom]

Posted: 2/25/07 at 8:49am

It was a very random choice. The song is sung by Yente and two other women, and how Yente is worried that Tevye's children will start a new trend and she'll be out of a job.

[cotter]

Posted: 2/25/07 at 11:19am

Like mentioned before if you are cutting "the rumour" its a violation of the contract unless you've had it approved. I actually like "topsy turvey" because you really see how yente is stuck in the past compared to the "the rumour" which for me reminds of "pick a little talk a little" from music man, a song to stereotype the ensemble into being a rumour mill. I also think the orchestration to this song is great. Given neither one of these songs are really strong but if I had a choice I'ld much rather have "topsy turvy" in the show than "the rumour" but thats just my two cents

[vmlinnie]

Posted: 2/25/07 at 11:27am

The rumour adds to the feeling that the community is tightly knit, everyone knows everyone (and their business), and it's a also a bit of fun.

[Spacedog78]

Posted: 2/25/07 at 2:48pm

When I was in Fiddler, we did the Rumour, and I loved it.

[Jon]

Posted: 2/25/07 at 3:15pm

It also lets the audience know that Perchick's been arrested... in Kiev.