"The Magic Show" Rights

[myshikobit]

Posted: 8/19/08 at 10:43am

I'm planning out my next few years theatrically, and I think I should direct "The Magic Show" two years from now because it'll be perfect for my crop of seniors, but I can't seem to find where to get the rights. Is it a specialized thing where you have to get them directly from Mr. Schwartz, or are they not available, because I can't find them at MTI or Tams. Help appreciated.

[husk_charmer]

Posted: 8/19/08 at 10:53am

I don't think I've ever heard of a regional production. It may be unavailable...I would try contacting Schwartz.

[myshikobit]

Posted: 8/19/08 at 11:25am

Shnap, I'm always unlucky at getting through to the Powers-That-Be. I know musicaltheatrefan3 is like Schwartz's lackey: where is he when I need him??? Thank you, husk =)

[Jon]

Posted: 8/19/08 at 11:53am

I'm thinking that DougHenning owned the rights to the actual magic tricks, and the show doesn't really exist without those illusions,so it can't be done by anyyone else.

[husk_charmer]

Posted: 8/19/08 at 11:56am

Jon's probably right. The show was highly dependent upon Henning, and if he doesn't own the exact rights, he probably hasn't revealed how to do said tricks.

Honestly, I don't see the appeal to taht show at all.

[Jon]

Posted: 8/19/08 at 11:59am

Henning, of course, is deceased.

I'm sure the show could be rewritten for different tricks.

[bertandrew2]

Posted: 8/19/08 at 12:08pm

For rights to The Magic Show, contact [e-mail]

[jarretSF]

Posted: 8/19/08 at 1:29pm

Most of the illusions used are either in public domain - or the rights are owned by their inventors. Almost all of the illusions in the Magic Show have been presented by other magicians as well. They change up the routine a bit, add their own style, etc. but the illusions themselves are easy to get the rights to perform.

I think the magic show could work with all different more modern illusions today as well.

Where are you looking to put this on? You would need a magic consultant!

[myshikobit]

Posted: 8/19/08 at 2:06pm

I'm doing it as a student production. We'll get our money from grants, winning parades and tenacious fundraising. I'm looking into it because we have a bunch of singers with the same feel as donna and dina, a perfect cal, and a lead actor who can't carry a tune. It fits our cast, the music is fun and catchy, and with the edited lyrics for Charmin's Lament it's kid friendly, which makes us alot more money =).

[WOSQ]

Posted: 8/19/08 at 3:10pm

The Magic Show was an enormous hit and very easy to sit through, but everyone knew it wasn't very good. It couldn't even squeeze out a Best Musical nom in a sparse year. Maybe the kids deserve a better show?

The actors in The Magic Show had to sign agreements as part of their contracts not to reveal how the illusions were done nor could they do or attempt to do the illusions for a period of some years after their involvement with the show.

Some of these actors are still around and could advise you on some of the illusions for a fee no doubt.

[myshikobit]

Posted: 8/19/08 at 3:40pm

The kids can't do a better show, I'm afraid. This is right up their alley. All of the kids with Sondheim-like talent are leaving this year, and all of the dancers are leaving the following year. I'm planning this for my class: average dancing talent , average vocal talent (strong voices, but not quite at Sondheim level yet) and average acting chops. I'm not too worried about the magic tricks: they were pretty generic. If I don't have a legal obligation to do it their way, I'll just have our Doug learn a few basic tricks, which is no big deal. It might be a bit harder if the show requires the same tricks, but it's not an impossible dilemna.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 8/19/08 at 3:52pm

You might want to consider your audience though. True its a high school production - but the MAGIC SHOW isn't a very good musical. The Magic WAS the show. If you are going to have some kids who don't sing or dance very well in a show that isn't very good and with some really mediocre magic tricks...it might not really be a good showcase for the talent (limited as it may be) that is involved.

I've also frankly never heard of a production being done by a high school or regional theatre. That shouldn't discourage you - but all things considered - look into some other options. There are lots of shows that might ultimately be more rewarding for you and everyone else.

[BWIDB Charlie]

Posted: 8/19/08 at 4:07pm

I would recommend you perhaps ask the board for suggestions of shows that would be a good fit with your talent pool. Aside from the fact that MAGIC SHOW performance rights have not been released, you really need to have very specific performers and staff to pull the show off.

From your post, I assume this is for a Senior production? Or at least you are casting based on your senior pool? How many students are you looking to have in a cast? Number of girls or boys?


Updated On: 8/19/08 at 04:07 PM

[puppet]

Posted: 8/19/08 at 7:32pm

Take a good look at the DVD of the show and you will see how poor the book and music really are. The magic IS the show and it should be spectacular to make it enjoyable.

Take a look at something like No No Nanette for an easy to stage fun show that should fit your requirements. No great singers are needed for those songs.

[myshikobit]

Posted: 8/19/08 at 9:52pm

Hmm... If the book is lousy, I wouldn't know, because I haven't seen the DVD. I think I understated my cast when I said they were average. They have great voices, and they can dance and act competently. They just aren't the most special group, being that this year's crop has beautiful Sondheim-ic voices and are headed for vocal performance and theatre degrees, and next year's crop has been dancing at the local dance studio since they were born. We always have above average talent: picture the highlight of an average high school show. We have about ten people with that amount of talent. Every person fits well into a character of The Magic Show, and that's why I'm looking into it. If the magic really is the show (i'll watch the DVD) then this is a big noooooooo. Otherwise, I think it would be good to bring light to a forgotten musical with a memorable score that fits the cast well and has marketability.

[BradMajors]

Posted: 8/19/08 at 10:51pm

Wasn't the filmed version highly abridged and edited? It didn't even include "Silver Solid Platform Shoes" as I recall.

[alterego]

Posted: 8/20/08 at 3:23am

The DVD bears little resemblence to the stage show. Totally different book and several numbers changed. Not good.

[husk_charmer]

Posted: 8/21/08 at 7:56pm

You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown (the original at least) is always good for this sort of situation.