Please Help! Obtaining Rights for songs!

[pimpernel86]

Posted: 1/31/05 at 11:13pm

Hey everyone...my good friend and I are in the process of creating/ producing a show that is a musical theatre satire, and it is in the style of "Forbidden Broadway" (we are taking Broadway songs and changing the lyrics to make it a spoof!) How would we go about legally obtaining the rights to these songs like "Forbidden"? Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!!!

[zbigner]

Posted: 2/1/05 at 6:27pm

Most composers/lyricists are represented by either ASCAP, BMI, or SESAC. If you visit each organizations web site, they should have detailed information. Even if you aren't changing lyrics for satirical purposes, you are supposed to pay royaltys for public performances. I don't know how changing lyrics (assuming you can) affects things.

Hope this helps,

Zack