If you do a musical without rights...
If you do a musical without rights...
#0If you do a musical without rights...
Posted: 6/28/05 at 5:53pmI mean isn't it possible? Just find the sheet music for songs, you can make your own script remaining true to the show and songs, and mimic costumes. I'm sure that's illegal, yes? (I'm not thinking of doing it, it just sort of came to me)
"It's a great feeling of power to be naked in front of people. We're happy to watch actual incredible graphic violence and gore, but as soon as somebody's naked it seems like the public goes a bit bananas about the whole thing."
jasobres
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/9/05
#1re: If you do a musical without rights...
Posted: 6/28/05 at 5:54pmI wouldn't do that if I were you... (and fortunately, I'm not)
"Ev'ry-buddy wants ta get into de act!"
- Jimmy Durante
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#2re: If you do a musical without rights...
Posted: 6/28/05 at 5:56pm
It is possible, but I don't see how you could pass it as your own, or who would go see it.
Someone would realize that it wasn't the original script, and alert the proper people, I would suppose.
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#3re: If you do a musical without rights...
Posted: 6/28/05 at 5:58pmDude! Are you serious? Not only is it highly illegal including fines and court cases but you can be banned from ever putting on another show by that company again.
"For me, THEATRE is an anticipation, an artistic rush, an emotional banquet, a jubilant appreciation, and an exit hopeful of clearer thought and better worlds."
~ an anonymous traveler with Robert Burns
trpguyy
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/25/05
#4re: If you do a musical without rights...
Posted: 6/28/05 at 6:00pm
A local theater company did Fame a few years ago. It was the movie script, with mostly songs from the movie and a few from the musical. They used Piano/Vocal books. I'm assuming it was pretty easy, because they used two keyboards, guitar, bass and drums. No orchestrations needed.
It actually wasn't a bad show, just a little on the long side.
TheatreDiva90016
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/10/04
#5re: If you do a musical without rights...
Posted: 6/28/05 at 6:02pm
... IS WRONG. It is illegal, and it's taking money out of the pockets of the folks who wrote it.
Can we say, "Copyright infringment?"
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#6re: If you do a musical without rights...
Posted: 6/28/05 at 6:03pmDid you report them? You should have if you didn't.
"For me, THEATRE is an anticipation, an artistic rush, an emotional banquet, a jubilant appreciation, and an exit hopeful of clearer thought and better worlds."
~ an anonymous traveler with Robert Burns
#7re: If you do a musical without rights...
Posted: 6/28/05 at 6:03pm
::nods:: kay kay kay. I wasn't planning on doing it or anything, no fears, all calm!
"It's a great feeling of power to be naked in front of people. We're happy to watch actual incredible graphic violence and gore, but as soon as somebody's naked it seems like the public goes a bit bananas about the whole thing."
#8re: If you do a musical without rights...
Posted: 6/28/05 at 6:03pmit is, however, very easy to find copies of scripts and scores from people who have been in shows. as an actor I still have my copies of scripts and scores for shows I've been in. it would be illegal to have someone use that to put on a show, but not impossible and could easily be unnoticed. I attended a high school production of Cinderella and they used an out-of-copyright script, but inserted songs from the Disney and R&H versions they didn't get in trouble for it either... no one said anything.
#9re: If you do a musical without rights...
Posted: 6/28/05 at 6:06pmAnother huge pet peeve of mine is when the show is video taped and used for more than archival purposes.
"For me, THEATRE is an anticipation, an artistic rush, an emotional banquet, a jubilant appreciation, and an exit hopeful of clearer thought and better worlds."
~ an anonymous traveler with Robert Burns
bjivie2
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/13/04
#10re: If you do a musical without rights...
Posted: 6/28/05 at 6:06pmPeople don't usually report people to the "authorities" in these cases. I saw a production of FAME where they included "Nothing" from A Chorus Line. I just laughed and thought it was very amateur. I've also seen many a production of Grease where they include "Hopelessly Devoted To You" and "The One That I Want."
Eeeeeeyyyyyyyyaaaaaaaannnnnddddd aaaaaaaiiiiiiiiyyyyyyaaaaaammmmmmmm teeeeeeeelllllliiiiiinnngg yyyyooooooouuuuuuuwwwaaaahh...
#11re: If you do a musical without rights...
Posted: 6/28/05 at 6:07pmYou know I saw this school performance of Peter Pan where the last song before the intermission was "Memory" sung by Mrs. Darling. She kicked ass but it was odd and awkward. they changed a few words to fit in more...but....
"It's a great feeling of power to be naked in front of people. We're happy to watch actual incredible graphic violence and gore, but as soon as somebody's naked it seems like the public goes a bit bananas about the whole thing."
#12re: If you do a musical without rights...
Posted: 6/28/05 at 6:07pmyes! the company I'm with right now films them and has the cast and family members pay for copies. it's ridiculous especially since it says on the first page of the script not to. but no one says anything...
#13re: If you do a musical without rights...
Posted: 6/28/05 at 6:09pmCATS- film the production? As in the production that your company is putting on? The theatres I work with alwayds do that..then again it never said not to on the script...
"It's a great feeling of power to be naked in front of people. We're happy to watch actual incredible graphic violence and gore, but as soon as somebody's naked it seems like the public goes a bit bananas about the whole thing."
#14re: If you do a musical without rights...
Posted: 6/28/05 at 6:10pmReport these instances people. Seriously, it is a huge infringement on copyright laws. I know that most people think that it is no big deal but it really is. Imagine if you were the composer and found your music being performed illegally which means that you were not getting paid for it. That just isn't cool!
"For me, THEATRE is an anticipation, an artistic rush, an emotional banquet, a jubilant appreciation, and an exit hopeful of clearer thought and better worlds."
~ an anonymous traveler with Robert Burns
#15re: If you do a musical without rights...
Posted: 6/28/05 at 6:11pm
I think you have to put this in perspective. Obviously, doing a full production of GREASE or CINDERELLA and not paying royalties is morally and legally wrong. But a high school doing a free one night music recital featuring the songs of WICKED or HAIRSPRAY is hardly something worth getting worked up over.
And the videotaping (for highschools) is something that most licensing companies are quickly looking to ammend. Because the shows are going to be videotaped and sold to the cast regardless. Most licensing companies and composers agree its better to tack on a couple of hundred dollars "video" fee and at least see that profit.
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/31/69
#16re: If you do a musical without rights...
Posted: 6/28/05 at 6:12pmI was in San Francisco a few weeks ago and there was a COMPLETE production of A Chorus Line on public access TV. It was done by Berekley HS. Surely this is illeagal even if they paid royalties. I was shocked but watched the whole thing. What a trainwreck!
#17re: If you do a musical without rights...
Posted: 6/28/05 at 6:13pmI think the "video fee" is a great idea!
"For me, THEATRE is an anticipation, an artistic rush, an emotional banquet, a jubilant appreciation, and an exit hopeful of clearer thought and better worlds."
~ an anonymous traveler with Robert Burns
EganFan2
Broadway Star Joined: 9/8/04
#18re: If you do a musical without rights...
Posted: 6/28/05 at 6:13pm
>>>>>You know I saw this school performance of Peter Pan where the last song before the intermission was "Memory" sung by Mrs. Darling. She kicked ass but it was odd and awkward. they changed a few words to fit in more...but....
"Memory" from Cats? I would like to know who the heck came up with that one!
#19re: If you do a musical without rights...
Posted: 6/28/05 at 6:15pmShowprince, yes that is VERY illegal not to mention that the Michael Bennett organization would have a fit. In order to even view Bennett's works at the Billy Rose Library you must fill out an application and wait approval from the organization. They are very particular about stuff like that.
"For me, THEATRE is an anticipation, an artistic rush, an emotional banquet, a jubilant appreciation, and an exit hopeful of clearer thought and better worlds."
~ an anonymous traveler with Robert Burns
#20re: If you do a musical without rights...
Posted: 6/28/05 at 6:16pm
yes Memory from cATS. Apparantly, she used it for her audition and they were so impressed they just HAD to use it for the show. and it was supposed to show the mother's depression or what not. I thought that's what "Distant Melody" was for but sure....
WE do have to pay a fee for the videos...
"It's a great feeling of power to be naked in front of people. We're happy to watch actual incredible graphic violence and gore, but as soon as somebody's naked it seems like the public goes a bit bananas about the whole thing."
#21re: If you do a musical without rights...
Posted: 6/28/05 at 6:16pm
I'd love to know the context of the MEMORY tune in PAN as well. Did she just walk out in the middle of Neverland and sing it? Did she get on her knees and search for the "burnt out ends" -- I love it when Grizabellas do that...
You know what -- A CHORUS LINE is probably the most bastardized show in the entire catalog when it comes to amateur productions. So many productions cut lines, change lyrics, change subplots -- I honestly think the Michael Bennett estate turns a blind eye. What can you do?
Updated On: 6/28/05 at 06:16 PM
#22re: If you do a musical without rights...
Posted: 6/28/05 at 6:21pmNot only is it illegal, your pit might have a fit. Usually, the only way to get pit parts is by rental.
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TheatreDiva90016
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/10/04
#23re: If you do a musical without rights...
Posted: 6/28/05 at 6:23pm
"yes Memory from cATS. Apparantly, she used it for her audition and they were so impressed they just HAD to use it for the show."
That is one of the dumbest things I've ever heard in my life.
"TheatreDiva90016 - another good reason to frequent these boards less."<<>>
“I hesitate to give this line of discussion the validation it so desperately craves by perpetuating it, but the light from logic is getting further and further away with your every successive post.” <<>>
-whatever2
EganFan2
Broadway Star Joined: 9/8/04
#24re: If you do a musical without rights...
Posted: 6/28/05 at 6:27pmNot only that, but "Memory" is such a well known song! It'd be something else if it weren't so well known.
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