To report or not to report

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?

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

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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.

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"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.

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

Forcing international laws is not easy, though.

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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.

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"

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

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.

Do me a favor....


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

J*

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.

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.

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