MTI Jr/School Edition Cuts vs. School Principle/Superintendent Cuts

MTI School editions are, I THINK, usually done with the authors' and producers permission. I know Sondheim wrote some alternate lyrics for the school version of Sweeney Todd, for example.

Yep. Exactly.

The school editions are changed with author permission and/or collaboration. The Junior shows have a different intent entirely as they are written for younger performers (also with permission/collaboration). In at least one case (Seussical JR), I think it's actually a BETTER structured show in the JR edition.

An administration cutting things is an entirely different matter though I do understand their side of it in certain circumstances. I think it's important for directors to gauge the school and community before picking a show. And if they pick a controversial show, they better have a plan for dealing with it appropriately.

There is a huge difference between authorized changes and changes made by people who think they can change whatever they want to whenever they want to.

It's probably also just because an entire show being canned is way more noticeable than dialogue and music being cut.

Ranger Tom said: " I guess my head whirls around the fact that if authors and the theater community feel it's ok for MTI to say certain things are fine to cut for "youth performers," why the outrage when school officials do the same thing? I'm not standing up for school districts who censor; just trying to wrap my brain around the logic.

"

Again, the logic is that the authors or the estate of the authors are involved when changes are made for school performers. It isn't MTI that makes the cuts or changes, it is the authors or their legal representatives that are doing it. If Stephen Sondheim wants to change his own lyrics to make them kid friendly, then there is nothing wrong with that. If Principal Doe wants the lyrics changed by Director Joe, then its a problem. Director Joe is not the author. Director Joe has no right to change anything written in that libretto. If the author is deceased, MTI still does not make any changes; instead a representative of the estate of the author will do the appropriate research to determine what cuts or changes (if any) are appropriate to make. If Director Joe needs to make changes then he is able to contact MTI who will then get in touch with the Author or the Estate of a late author and discuss the requested changes on his behalf. Usually, the author says no to such requests. Only the author or the estate of a late author has the right to make these changes, not MTI, and not Director Joe, or principal Doe. It is all about who is making the changes, and who has the right to do so.

I don't mean to sound snarky, I just don't understand where your confusion is. The logic seems quite logical to me.