Where do musicals go to die?

I have been frustrated with the lack of information on musicals that just disappear.

I know many I have seen have hopes of going to broadway at some point, so they don't have cast recordings and can't be licensed... October Sky, Ella Minnow Pea, Sousatzka, Hazel, Harmony, Tiny Dancer,...

Some mysteries that I hope some of you can clear up.

1. From 3hree, Flight of the Lawnchair Man split from Mice and Lavender Girl and is now available for license as a full 2 act. But, what happened to Mice and Lavender Girl?

2. Taboo, doesn't seem to be available for license.

3. In Transit doesn't seem to be available for license.

4. The Visit doesn't seem to be available for license.

5. The Last Ship doesn't seem to be available for license. (Still touring England, do they have plans for US tour?)

6. Amazing Grace doesn't seem to be available for license.

7. Doctor Zhivago doesn't seem to be available for license.

Just to name a few...

Updated On: 10/28/18 at 04:11 PM

2) Taboo - Rosie confirmed in May that Boy George holds the rights

5) The Last Ship - there will be a full production staring Sting in Toronto in February/March of next year (the UK/Irish touring version)

The Cort Theatre

New World Stages

Up into the sky with those dancing clouds from Margaritaville.

Updated On: 10/28/18 at 05:56 PM

Tag: Thanks for the heads up. Hadn't checked out the Mirvish season.

I know Boy George's agent will take requests for licensing, but that sounds like only professional theaters will be considered.

Usually there's something preventing the show from being licensed –– an issue with one of the authors/estates, a third-party licensed element (i.e. existing songs), a plan for a major production (tour, London, international), rewrites, etc.

Of your list, THE VISIT surprises me the most. I feel like that could be a good show for a lot of regional theatres to show off a great actress and actor "of a certain age." I would expect to see licensing available in the next 1-2 years for Last Ship, Amazing Grace, and Dr. Zhivago; they've all had post-Broadway productions or/and rewrites that could have delayed licensing. In Transit will be tough because of the a cappella requirements.

So, a couple updates.

October Sky is apparently bogged down in a court battle. Universal Pictures thought they bought the rights to the story on all platforms including for a musical stage version. The original author sold the rights again to someone else to make a musical. Now both are suing to be the only one to bring a musicalization to stage.

Here Lies Love is one I left off my OP list. It apparently is being reconceived for a normal stage at Seattle Rep, with the plans on licensing in the future.

Updated On: 11/2/18 at 03:59 PM

In Transit is now available for licensing through MTI: In Transit Show Page

But who is licensing Here Lies Love? I search MTI, Tams, Samuel French and RNH, but didn't see it on any of those sites. I presume it still isn't available.

Updated On: 10/11/19 at 12:24 PM

BWW poster Smaxie told me once that the "54th Street/George Abbott/Adelphi" Theatre is where old musicals go to die.

Tag said: "2) Taboo - Rosie confirmed in May that Boy George holds the rights

5) The Last Ship - there will be a full production staring Sting in Toronto in February/March of next year (the UK/Irish touring version)"

I don't know for sure if it's the exact, same production, but Sting and LAST SHIP are part of the Ahmanson's lackluster season in Los Angeles; they will play LA in January and San Francisco through 2/28/20. So maybe that Toronto production begins in March?

GavestonPS said: "Tag said: "2) Taboo - Rosie confirmed in May that Boy George holds the rights

5) The Last Ship - there will be a full production staring Sting in Toronto in February/March of next year (the UK/Irish touring version)"

I don't know for sure if it's the exact, same production, but Sting and LAST SHIP are part of the Ahmanson's lackluster season in Los Angeles; they will play LA in January and San Francisco through 2/28/20. So maybe that Toronto production begins in March?"

Actually the last ship played toronto in feb 2019 (this year)