The Last 5 Years

[Expressboy69]

Posted: 2/23/06 at 9:02pm

I have a question...

My friend and I want to perform this musical for a senior project...we found out that even if you are not going to charge admission to the show you still need to purchase a license. So we figured we would do a two or three night show and charge admission, but donate the money to broadway cares or something like that....does anyone know around how much the license would cost? What would be the difference if we just didn't charge admission?

Thanks!

[Kitzarina]

Posted: 2/23/06 at 9:03pm

You can probably find out by visiting the MTI website:

http://www.mtimusicalworlds.com/

You need a hell of a piano player if you really plan to do this--Jason Robert Brown's music is not easy. And I think it's very admirable that you want to give the proceeds to charity


ETA--this was taken from the MTI website:

If the title is available for the dates indicated on the application, fees are quoted and a license is generated. There are three basic fees involved in licensing a musical:

A royalty fee (per performance);
A rental fee;
A refundable security deposit
A royalty fee is due whenever a play is presented in front of an audience- whether an admission is charged or not. This includes classroom presentations, benefits, or private shows. The fact that a performance is a free or benefit performances is taken into account when fees are quoted.

When you enter into a licensing agreement, the materials supplied by MTI (which generally include the script/libretto-vocal books, a piano conductor score and individual orchestra parts) are the only authorized performance materials available for each musical (regardless of other versions which may exist in print, on film or otherwise) and must be rented from MTI as a condition of the license. The standard rental time is two months prior to your initial performance. Additional fees apply for each additional rental week.

The security deposit is refunded upon return of the rental materials to the MTI Warehouse, minus any shipping/handling charges, outstanding balances, damage or loss of material.

Updated On: 2/23/06 at 09:03 PM

[Zimmy]

Posted: 2/23/06 at 10:48pm

I did this show 2 years ago in a small theater and low admission price and the rights for 3 performances were about $400 and the same for the rental fee which you'll get back when you return the materials. So about $800 or so up front.

[Jon]

Posted: 2/23/06 at 11:08pm

Actually, there is a matrials rental fee (around $400), which is NOT refundable, and a deposit (another $400), which is refunded after materials are returned. Therefore, you would have send at least $1000 up front, depending on the size of the venue.

Posted: 2/26/06 at 3:27am

Ha! What a weird coincidence-- my friend and I are getting ready to start rehearsals (well, in two weeks after our musical is done) for our senior project run of "The Last 5 Years." With three productions and the materials fee, our early estimate for a liscense was around $875. Ask your school's regular director to contact MTI-- assuming that your school is registered-- and send off for a liscensing estimate.