To report or not to report

[musicaltheatrefan3]

Posted: 4/17/08 at 4:07pm

I came across a bunch of illegal productions of "Wicked" (all in Mexico, except for 1 in Peru). I saw their videos on YouTube. I go on the Stephen Schwartz forums a lot and one time someone posted an illegal production that they were reporting. Michael Cole, Stephen's assistant thanked him and told everyone that if they ever see an illegal production or know about one, email him and you will remain anonymous. I did report these productions and he thanked me, but I want to know, if you were in this situation, would you have reported or not? I did it because I love musical theatre, and "Wicked" and I don't think it's fair that professional companies in the U.S. don't do "Wicked", but some 14 year olds from Mexico can get away with it. Also, I think that there should be more awareness about illegal productions. It's not taken very seriously by young people who want to "put on" their favorite show. Also, it's not right that most people think "If you don't make money, you can do any show you want". I always see ads for kids productions of "The Lion King" and "Cats", which are illegal but I don't report these either because I know the people who work there, or because I fear them tracking me down since I live near them. So what would you do if you were in a situation where you knew of an illegal production, and you knew who to contact?

[TheActr97J]

Posted: 4/17/08 at 4:12pm

I would report it.

[Katurian2]

Posted: 4/17/08 at 5:08pm

For "Wicked", no. It makes enough money as is.

[LuPonatic]

Posted: 4/17/08 at 5:11pm

mind your own business

[blaxx]

Posted: 4/17/08 at 5:14pm

It happens a lot. The producers know about it, they just won't bother going to Tlaplantlitaxualaja, Mexico to sue a school for putting on Wicked with ten pesos. Nothing they could really do about it.

[Yero my Hero]

Posted: 4/17/08 at 5:16pm

For "Wicked", no. It makes enough money as is.

So? Does that mean people should be allowed to break into Bill Gates's house and steal his stuff?

I don't think I'd report children's theater because they're just trying to entertain some kids, and it's hard to raise enough money for rights to shows kids are actually interested in doing. But professional companies that are making a profit? Or adults who should know better? I'd report it.

[commasplice]

Posted: 4/17/08 at 5:21pm

"For "Wicked", no. It makes enough money as is."

Just because the show makes a ridiculous amount of money doesn't mean that it's okay to violate the creators' copyright.

[musicalmaster703]

Posted: 4/17/08 at 5:29pm

Well don't quote me but isn't it legal as long as you don't pay money to see it? (kids productions)

Or if they give the profits to the creator?

[blaxx]

Posted: 4/17/08 at 5:34pm

No, it's not legal. Everyone needs rights.

Forcing international laws is not easy, though.

[D2]

Posted: 4/17/08 at 5:35pm

No, it isn't legal unless you have a signed contract granting you the rights for payment of a royalty.

I would report it. It doesn't matter how much money WICKED is making, the show is the product of the creators' hard work - and the royalty payments are their paychecks for the job.

Updated On: 4/17/08 at 05:35 PM

[scaryclowns223]

Posted: 4/17/08 at 5:37pm

Yeah, I agree.

For kids, no big deal. Let them earn some money and get interested in it- that's what will keep theatre alive anyway.

For adult companies- no way. Report it.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 4/17/08 at 5:40pm

You people have to learn how to mind your own business. Snitches aren't looked kindly upon.

[musicaltheatrefan3]

Posted: 4/17/08 at 5:44pm

I saw school productions, teen productions, and adult productions (not necessarily professional).

Also, I have noticed that many of these are in Latin America (Argentina, Mexico, Peru) is there a reason for this?

Also, is Marc Shaiman a member here, because I found an illegal "Hairspray" in Peru.

I report all of them, and even the little kid ones. Besides, the adults are the ones who organize it for them. Either they direct it, or work backstage.

Illegal productions must be stopped.

Does anyone know where to report:

"Rent"
"Lion King"
"Hairspray"
"Spring Awakening"
"Aida"
"Jesus Christ Superstar"
"Cats"
"Joseph"
"Chicago"
"Godspell"

[Anakela]

Posted: 4/17/08 at 5:51pm

For kids, no big deal. Let them earn some money and get interested in it- that's what will keep theatre alive anyway.

Where do you draw the line with 'kids,' though? (and actually this is moreso just a general 'you,' not specifically a you you.) Remember that high school in the Bronx a year or two ago that decided that they were gonna put on Chicago without getting any rights from anyone, and actually I believe parts of their show included scenes from the film that the teacher had just decided to transcribe, and their principal was all over the press saying the school had never gotten the rights to anything they'd ever put on in the past, etc. But then how all of a sudden Samuel French was 'the bad guy' when they wanted it shut down, and so Samuel French then (had to cave?) because of the bad press, and let the school do their show?

"Kids" or not, I *still* think that wasn't right.

[musicaltheatrefan3]

Posted: 4/17/08 at 5:52pm

I only report through emails from people that I trust. (i.e. Stephen Schwartz's assistant). He said that I would remain anonymous.

[jaystarr]

Posted: 4/17/08 at 5:52pm

Well, It seems like you made up your mind already... good luck!

Its just me~ I wont do anything!

IF they give an acting debut part..as a REWARD-- HELL YA! I would report it...

J*

[musicaltheatrefan3]

Posted: 4/17/08 at 5:55pm

I report because it helps musical theatre. If you say, "Well, they're just kids so, they're learning about theatre", then they will grow up to be adults who think it's okay to do illegal productions. Besides, the kids won't get in trouble. The adults will. Of course, adults have to be somewhere in this picture. No group of kids just does a show all on their own.

[jaystarr]

Posted: 4/17/08 at 5:58pm

and posting a thread like this...wont help you neither....

If you really wanna HELP someone or the bussiness (which I love soo much) I will DO it anonymously without posting at the internet....or without anyone knowing it...

The more you post..the more youre leaving a trace to your location!

In computer terms... its called "bread crumbs" (from hansel & gretel tale)

J*

[jaystarr]

Posted: 4/17/08 at 5:59pm

Do me a favor....


Click on your HISTORY on your computer browsers...it would pinpoint all the locations youve been....

J*

[musicaltheatrefan3]

Posted: 4/17/08 at 6:00pm

I only do the report through email to the show. (not actually the show, but whoever works for the show)

[scaryclowns223]

Posted: 4/17/08 at 6:01pm

Musicaltheatrefan3,

A lot of those productions you listed are available for licensing. I believe even "Chicago" is available for licensing, despite the Broadway run.

Godspell, Joseph, etc are definitely legal.

Just because its on the Internet doesn't mean its illegal.

[lakezurich]

Posted: 4/17/08 at 6:03pm

Jay, just a thought though, what would the little Mexican children do to musicaltheatrefan3 if they knew who he/she was and knew where he/she lived?

[musicaltheatrefan3]

Posted: 4/17/08 at 6:04pm

I know that this "Joseph", "Godspell", and "Chicago" were illegal, they were done by a lady who has friends that copy scripts that they buy off ebay for her.

[jaystarr]

Posted: 4/17/08 at 6:05pm

oh my!

e-mail is a TRAP....

when you open an email ..someone can type a spyware formula..to an e-mail.. you kno what a spyware~dont you? its a program where people can access all the sites youve been and replay all the transactions you did....

that's why when we heard of a virus in our company.. we alert all employees NOT to open any e-mail to people they do not know..

Hope this helps... you guys really have to be careful bec. there is really no annomity in the internet nowadays...if someone have the resources, knowledge & software .. they can pinpoint EXACTY where you are, your address..

J*



Updated On: 4/17/08 at 06:05 PM

[jaystarr]

Posted: 4/17/08 at 6:09pm

Jay, just a thought though, what would the little Mexican children do to musicaltheatrefan3 if they knew who he/she was and knew where he/she lived?

^^^^

You do have a point!

But c'mon....the only thing THEY can do is to remove the youtube and what made you think .. they wont put it back? lol...

In any form.. I do not patronize it...but I wont get all work-up for a FOREST FIRE that's hard to control with my small shovel.

That's just my opinion!


J*
Updated On: 4/18/08 at 06:09 PM