Legally Blonde MTI Version

[ucjrdude902]

Posted: 7/29/17 at 2:57pm

I'm a fan of "Legally Blonde The Musical" (hate on it haters) and last night I saw a local community production of the show as I'm debating directing it at another community theatre.

One thing I noticed last night was there were major lyrical changes, notably was "Ireland" which was about 80% different than the OBC recording, "Positive" had some changes, as well as "Legally Blonde" and others just not as significant.

Were there lyric changes made MTI began to distribute the show or did I just watch something sketchy last night?

[casedilla2]

Posted: 7/29/17 at 2:59pm

These changes were made for the London production of the show, which is the version that MTI licenses.

[ucjrdude902]

Posted: 7/29/17 at 3:02pm

Interesting. So why does MTI license the London version? And why the lyric changes? Anyone know?

[casedilla2]

Posted: 7/29/17 at 3:06pm

I'm not sure - presumably just because it's the most recent version I suppose? And the lyric changes in Legally Blonde allow the scene to be staged without a prop door (they removed "if you can hear, can I just say..." and "please will you open the door" ) , which certainly makes it easier for most community theaters. I personally directed the show last year and changed most of the changed lyrics back to the Broadway version (which I know is controversial on here, but I didn't feel too bad about it since I was still using official lyrics).

As for why they changed them for London, I know that the extensive changes to Ireland had to do with the way the country is viewed by those from the UK. As for the others, I'm not sure.

Updated On: 7/29/17 at 03:06 PM

[Liza's Headband]

Posted: 7/30/17 at 10:18am

Point of clarification: they're not "official" lyrics if they're not in the authorized materials of the licensed version of a musical. Just because these lyrics were supposedly once used in the Broadway production doesn't give you the right to change them (thus altering the licensing-sanctioned print materials). 

[casedilla2]

Posted: 7/30/17 at 1:42pm

Liza's Headband said: "Point of clarification: they're not "official" lyrics if they're not in the authorized materials of the licensed version of a musical. Just because these lyrics were supposedly once used in the Broadway production doesn't give you the right to change them (thus altering the licensing-sanctioned print materials). "

I didn't mean official to that specific licensed version, I meant they are lyrics that were used in an official production and not just something I came up with myself. I'm aware that the lyrics were still not supposed to be altered from the ones in the licensed librettos, but I thought some of the new lyrics were really awful, so I made that call anyways.

(Also, some of the lyric changes in the licensed version were actually changed back at some point - by way of them including a single printed sheet of paper with said changes tucked inside the front cover of one of the librettos, which I didn't find until we were well into rehearsals. So, I'm guessing they're not too pressed about it, or if they are, they should probably officially change them in the librettos.)

[freewilma]

Posted: 7/30/17 at 3:06pm

Generally MTI is decent about allowing you to use lyrics changes that have been used elsewhere....assuming you ask permission; which is always the best plan of action.  

[Zamedy154]

Posted: 7/30/17 at 7:18pm

Examples?

[leighmiserables]

Posted: 7/30/17 at 7:33pm

freewilma said: "Generally MTI is decent about allowing you to use lyrics changes that have been used elsewhere....assuming you ask permission; which is always the best plan of action.  "

My school did it a few years ago. The director hated the lyric changes in "Ireland" and changed it back. We never got permission from MTI, but one of the Delta Nu girls was related to one of the writers, and apparently she asked him and he said it was alright... 

Updated On: 7/30/17 at 07:33 PM