Joseph versions/rights

[Musicaldudepeter]

Posted: 1/21/12 at 4:21pm

I'm preparing for a school production of Joseph in the coming months. The R&H Organization are the sole rights holders for the show - is that correct?

They appear to have 2 versions:
1 - the original version (is this the published version - small white vocal score of the show, i.e. with no changes/prologue etc.??)

2 - the 1993 UK Tour with optional megamix version - I assume this is similar to the Palladium production and video production i.e. prologue, additional material, hoedown, megamix etc. added?

Can someone please clarify which version is best to hire? Is the Hoedown part of the 1993 version?

I've seen so many different versions of the show, it's very confusing - there doesn't seem to be an official, definitive version of the rights/score anywhere.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 1/21/12 at 4:49pm

Yes, they are the only ones to hold the rights.

I'm not trying to be snarky, but why don't you just drop THEM an email -- they'd be able to answer your question without a doubt.

[Musicaldudepeter]

Posted: 1/21/12 at 5:20pm

I e-mailed them, but a default email was sent to me saying nothing basically - and I just thought i'd try here because I value all of your opinions and I thought somebody would have a decent answer for me

[PitPro2004]

Posted: 1/21/12 at 5:42pm

I've done two versions, possibly three. Sent you a message.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 1/21/12 at 5:43pm

But you aren't directing/producing this, yes? YOu are a student? Then wont' the decision be made by others as to which one you are doing?

[husk_charmer]

Posted: 1/21/12 at 5:45pm

wow, dramamama, who peed in your Cheerios? I see absolutely nothing wrong with the OP's questions. So what if others are making the decision about the version, it's an interesting topic and offers room for discussion, which is what this board is about. I'd gladly take a question about the different versions of ANY show, over a new thread on Wicked or Book of Mormon any day.

[Musicaldudepeter]

Posted: 1/21/12 at 5:50pm

I'm the MD for the show not a student.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 1/21/12 at 5:52pm

Wow...I wasn't attacking the poster, just trying to get more info. Sheesh.

[Musicaldudepeter]

Posted: 1/21/12 at 5:57pm

You're being quite annoying.. so if you can't help me, just stay out of the conversation please. I'm here to get information, not to be annoyed.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 1/21/12 at 5:58pm

Ok...well then, I'll keep my suggestions to myself...because I did have some based on the info you provided...but nevermind.

[Musicaldudepeter]

Posted: 1/21/12 at 6:00pm

Then you should've given me the info at the start instead of haranguing me. Jesus, as usual the thread grows into an argument.

[husk_charmer]

Posted: 1/21/12 at 6:21pm

Then my apologies, dramamama, but the questions (and the fact you prefaced one with "I'm not trying to be snarky...") seemed very attack-y.

The thing with Joseph, is the show is largely the same with the occasional variance...however those variances can cause confusion.

Also, a lot of people believe that the megamix began in the 90s version, but it was used in the Brooklyn Academy of Music version in the 70s (in fact, that one featured a male narrator). The show can actually be done in under 80 minutes, complete with all the encores and reprises, assuming you keep the pace going.

[JasonM12480]

Posted: 1/22/12 at 12:10am

It's like a bunch of politicians in here - no one knows how to answer a question. LOL

As someone who has been IN the show 4 times, and musically directed it once, I know the answer. And you already pretty much answered it.

The original version is available for license from the 70's - no megamix, no hoedown, no tango, and very 70's, sparse sounding orchestrations.

You can also license the UK tour version, which is based off the 1993 Canadian Donny Osmond recording (listen to that cast recording, and you'll know basically how it sounds). There is a megamix, the Apache tango, and the hoedown, and the orchestrations are hugely updated (in fact, it costs you $100 extra to get the megamix, and $50 more because the orchestration has been updated).

So there ya go! Hope that helps.

[tourboi]

Posted: 1/22/12 at 11:12pm

And then there's the fact that every version has a different Overture. I wish they'd recorded those.