Releasing the Rights to URINETOWN?

[CapnHook]

Posted: 10/20/04 at 4:17pm

Does anyone know what the deal is with releasing the rights to do URINETOWN?

The show is PERFECT for high schools/colleges. It's great training for acting, singing, and dancing; AND it will fill seats! It's low budget with no special set pieces or costumes. It also offers a unique set for technicial students to design and construct, and it gives opportunity to be creative in the lighting design.

Do(es) the playwright/producers not want the rights to be released, or is it in the works?

Hail Mathus!

[magruder]

Posted: 10/20/04 at 4:22pm

I know that none of the traditional licensing houses wanted to pick it up because of its title, Tony Awards or no Tony Awards. Not sure if that has changed at all at this point or not.

[CapnHook]

Posted: 10/20/04 at 4:25pm

Oh, please. There have been worse titles.

MENOPAUSE: The Musical.
THE JOYS OF SEX.
CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG.

Come on, now.

[magruder]

Posted: 10/20/04 at 4:28pm

Hey, don't blame me. But do you see it listed with Music Theatre International, Tams-Witmark, Samuel French or Rodgers & Hammerstein Library?

Updated On: 10/20/04 at 04:28 PM

[CapnHook]

Posted: 10/20/04 at 4:30pm

Regardless of the title, there are musicals with worse content. URINETOWN may be messy, but its still clean.

[magruder]

Posted: 10/20/04 at 4:32pm

Tell Tams-Witmark.

[timote316]

Posted: 10/20/04 at 4:34pm

You know, now that you say that, it is a perfect show for amateur groups. Too bad they won't release it, whatever the reason

[elphie327]

Posted: 10/20/04 at 5:11pm

Actually, I think they are coming out soon...the theatre here is working on getting the rights for next season...so I'm pretty sure they are available...cause I was talking to the Executive Director and he basically told me we'll be doing it next year. Don't know which company has the rights though...but I'd be more than happy to ask our director for you!

[JakeB]

Posted: 10/20/04 at 5:15pm

I disagree it would get bums on seats.

[magruder]

Posted: 10/20/04 at 5:26pm

Why do you disagree?

[timote316]

Posted: 10/20/04 at 5:58pm

Well, you'd have to do a little extra promotion to fill seats than say 'Grease' or 'Sound of Music' or whatever. Some shows have that name-drawing-appeal with the general public, others dont. Urinetown doesnt really strike me as having it

A while back, I remember hearing a radio ad for Urinetown in Boston. I had NO idea what it was talking about (I was not a Broadway fan at this point). However, when hearing that 'Phantom' was in town, I knew what it was, and that I wanted to see it (I didn't...)

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 10/21/04 at 8:21am

I saw Urinetown (on tour with Tom Hewitt) and it was a very enjoyable show. It doesn't look like something that would require you to have a whole lot of money. I mean, even though the show cost much more than a school or community theater could probably afford (still in the millions), you can make it work for your budget. The costumes, set designs, and props aren't and don't have to be elaborate. It's more about the talent. Thus, it would be perfect for a high school theater group, colleges, and community or regional theaters.