Show references in SomethingRotten!

[Paciencia y fe]

Posted: 2/6/16 at 10:30pm

I finally saw Something Rotten! today and loved the many references to other musicals.  Just wondering, do they have to pay royalties for singing a few bars of songs from other shows?

[Jamesilsley]

Posted: 2/7/16 at 11:18am

No. It is considered satire/parody which falls under the distinction of fair use. 

http://corporate.findlaw.com/intellectual-property/parody-fair-use-or-copyright-infringement.html

 

[Paciencia y fe]

Posted: 2/8/16 at 9:26am

Thank you! 

There were so many references to other musicals, and they just kept on coming so fast!  I know I missed some.  Does anyone have a full list?  I'll start with some of the ones I remember:

Cats

Mary Poppins

Avenue Q

Les Miserables

South Pacific

[phan24]

Posted: 2/8/16 at 9:40am

Check out this cool interactive Wall Street Journal article that details all the references in 'A Musical':

http://www.wsj.com/video/the-secrets-of-omething-rotten-biggest-number/6B93C01D-7974-4A9D-8FCB-CBEAF178B778.html

[tazber]

Posted: 2/8/16 at 11:04am

There are so many others that are referenced in the show as well.

 

I think my favorite is when Brad Oscar jumps up and yells:

 

Click Here To Toggle Spoiler Content

Cats!!

 

That one just cracked me up. It was so random.