Ordering persuals?

[maybethistime]

Posted: 11/25/05 at 9:34pm

Hello, all! I have a few questions for anyone who's ever ordered persuals from MTI, Tams-Witmark or R&H Theatricals. I really want to read a few scripts that are otherwise IMPOSSIBLE to get. I don't have an organization, nor do I plan on producing the shows or doing anything illegal. Has anyone ever actually requested a persual, made up a theatrical organization and actually followed through and gotten them? It doesn't seem hard to just "start" a theatrical organization... I mean, what if I really did want to legally put on a show so I requested a persual for an organization I just created? My concern is, how hard is it? Has anyone ever gotten away with it? Do they just send them to you, or do they call you and go through a process, etc.? I honestly have no ill intentions, I just desperatly want to read a few of the unattainable scripts handled by these companies. I know Tams-Witmark is a notoriously harder company to get persuals from, but I'm more interested in MTI and R&H anyway. Thanks in advance, guys! Y'all are great!

[broadwaybelter]

Posted: 11/25/05 at 9:36pm

i have many times before, I just placed my name for instance if i were named "bob sagget" then I would put in the production space "Bob Sagget Productions" as my company and for the address of the company just use your home address. The perusal items are for people like you, perhaps someone who is considering beginning a theatre company and may want to look at a few scripts to choose which is best. After you fill this information out you shouldn't have trouble with receiving the perusal items :)
Updated On: 11/25/05 at 09:36 PM

[maybethistime]

Posted: 11/25/05 at 9:39pm

Wow! And it was as easy as filling out the online form? They just sent them to you? When do you pay the S&H fee?

[broadwaybelter]

Posted: 11/25/05 at 9:40pm

as i recall, they billed me for the items after i had requested for the material: yes as simple as requesting for the items online. Which company are you considering ordering persuals from?
Updated On: 11/25/05 at 09:40 PM

[renthead92]

Posted: 11/25/05 at 10:43pm

So you don't have to own a theater compony to get a pursual? Why is it harder to get a pursual through Tams- Witmark?
I'm just interested in Little Shop of Horrors. I too don't have any ill intentions. Or could I just find the Little Shop of Horrors libretto online somewhere?

[OtherDaryl]

Posted: 11/25/05 at 10:52pm

AS I recall, they also require a steep deposit along with S&H.

[broadwaybelter]

Posted: 11/25/05 at 11:02pm

nope you do not have to own a theatre company, but you must not leave that "company name" space blank, so i suggest anyone who is interested in ordering persuals, is put "YOUR NAME productions" on the company name line, but as i recall Little Shop of Horrors Libretto was in my local library, so check around bookstores and libraries before you result to persuals beacause they do charge something like $10 to check a book out...i dont recall their prices at the moment, but thats what i remember paying

[maybethistime]

Posted: 11/26/05 at 1:24am

I really want to look at certain scripts from all three companys, but I've heard Tams-Witmark is very serious about sending out their persuals and really checks out the organizations.

Renthead: The "Little Shop of Horrors" script has actually been published legally as a book and is now out of print. It has been published twice, once by its original rights holder, Samuel French, in a paperback acting-edition, and once by Nelson Doubleday as a hardbound bookclub edition. Both can be found on any online used bookstore for very reasonable prices!

[broadwaybelter]

Posted: 11/26/05 at 1:31am

good thing you reminded me, Samuel French is another company that has various scripts that MTI and Tams witmark has, but only very few scripts like 5 or 6. Samuel French isnt picky about who they send to, and you can actually ORDER and KEEP the scripts, they are like $6.50 each. They have like Grease, Really Rosie, Secret Garden, etc.

[rockfenris2005]

Posted: 11/26/05 at 2:10am

So, who owns the scripts for Anyone Can Whistle and Merrily?

[Jazzysuite82]

Posted: 11/26/05 at 2:11am

MTI does all of Sondheim's work.

[maybethistime]

Posted: 11/26/05 at 3:31am

... except for some of his earlier lyrics-only shows. Tams-Witmark has Gypsy - That might actually be it...
Updated On: 11/26/05 at 03:31 AM

[Jon]

Posted: 11/26/05 at 12:13pm

Here's the rundown:

Tams-Witmark is the only place that will send out scripts AND full scores for perusal. R&H and MTI will only send out scripts and "chorus books" (no accompaniment). They all require a deposit. You only get the full score after paying royalties to do the show.

Samuel French and Dramatists Play Service SELL scripts for 90% of their musicals. The most obscure ones are in manuscript only and you have to order a perusal.

You should always check Amazon.com to see if there is a script for sale.

[Caroline-Q-or-TBoo]

Posted: 11/26/05 at 2:28pm

Samuel French is BRILLIANT. i might be directing Sweet Smell of success at my school next year and the script is not available yet (IE not published) i called them and said that i'd like to see the script. the man on the line said that he'd send a manuscript or a working script that they might be using for the Chicago Production. i gave him my address and he said he'd send it out on monday