are rights for wicked out?- Page 2

[sondwisenheimer]

Posted: 5/9/06 at 2:07pm

It's time to tryyy defyyyying copyrights!

[BwayBaby18]

Posted: 5/9/06 at 2:19pm

i hope the rights are cheap when they came otu so every high school can install the Elphie lift.

Yes that was sarcasum

[TheBoyfromChi]

Posted: 5/9/06 at 2:20pm

I think you might feel a lot differently if it was your work being performed and you weren't seeing a penny from it. Then you may change your mind on not wanting to rain on any parades.

[KJisgroovy]

Posted: 5/9/06 at 2:30pm

"...you weren't seeing a penny from it."

If you read my post... I addressed that, twice. And I also said it is completely wrong.

My feelings had more to do with someone who isn't connected to the show or the school in anyway... "reporting" the indicident...and taking relish in doing so. You could report it to the administration... and probably should... but getting a production canceled hurts the kids far more than it it does the adult(s). The adult that made that decision should be dealt with. By the school adminstration. Or even legally. But hurting the kids who had no part in the decision and DON'T know better... and have NO recourse... is pretty horrible... I know that the adult that made the decision to put on an illegal production is a fault for the disapointment... but getting sly enjoyment out of reporting it... it's kinda inhuman from my perspective.

Of course the poster I was refering to... is famous for ridiculing others and taking public pleasure in others failures.

kmc

Updated On: 5/9/06 at 02:30 PM

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 5/9/06 at 2:36pm

It doesn't matter. If I were some way involved with an original work and it was being performed illegally ANYWHERE, I would hope that someone would report it. It's the law, and it's there for a reason.

It has nothing to do with the fact that the show is WICKED, it has nothing to do with the fact that the show is being performed my kids.

Whether it was being performed by children or adults, the fact remains that they will be profiting illegally off of someone else's work without paying them a dime. It's outrageous.

I do not take pleasure in other's failures, but by reporting an illegal production, not only would they be fined up the ass, but the director and the students would learn a valueable lesson.

Your argument doesn't make much sense here. If you had any respect for the author and owners of the material, then any theatre enthusiast wouldn't hesitate to pull the plug on an illegal production. It's just stupid to think otherwise.

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 5/9/06 at 2:40pm

I agree that it sucks for the students and they should not be punished for an idiot who decides to violate rules.

I just submitted a ocuple plays I want to direct and the first question was, "Are the rights available?"

The point is, like Munk said, it's harsh - but it's a lesson they all will learn. And you NEVER rehearse without already obtaining the rights.

Even though it is a harmelss little thing, the authors aren't getting recognition. Even if you post their name on every piece of paper involved...

These authors make money from regional and community theatres. Many of them can barely afford to pay rent...

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 5/9/06 at 2:42pm

Well, in this case Stephen Schwartz is hardly having a difficult time making ends meet...

[KJisgroovy]

Posted: 5/9/06 at 2:43pm

I am going to post for the third time that I agree that it is not only illegal... but also morally incorrect... and pretty tacky. I don't know you. I do sort of wish I did, but that's beside the point. I don't know you so I'm not going to make assumptions about your life. But these two comments would lead me to believe you haven't worked in a high school theater department... or really worked with high school kids all that much...

"Whether it was being performed by children or adults, the fact remains that they will be profiting illegally off of someone else's work without paying them a dime. It's outrageous"

"...not only would they be fined up the ass, but the director and the students would learn a valueable lesson."

It's extremely rare that a normal high school profits much from putting on a musical. Second... really the only lessons to be learned from the whole thing is that their director is a jackass. Third, it's not all that common a school would be fined. Usually ther rights are just pulled.


kmc

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 5/9/06 at 2:44pm

You know, I was going to add that into the end of my post. But I thought, or hoped, no one would bring that up.

But that really isn't the point. He has the money because of these rules and regulations.

Or because he doesn't pay royalties to the people from whom he steals his music. Just kidding.

OH...."Second... really the only lessons to be learned from the whole thing is that their director is a jackass. "

No. The students would learn not to steal things without having legal permission. Updated On: 5/9/06 at 02:44 PM

[starletta8]

Posted: 5/9/06 at 2:46pm

Check the link- they've decided to let the production of 'Chicago' continue.

I hope that all of the students have learned a lesson about why it's important to follow all of the rules. It's not their fault that this happened, but even though they've decided to let the production run it's a good life lesson for them.

Besides, how hard is it to figure out that the Bronx isn't 75 miles from the theatre on Broadway?

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 5/9/06 at 2:47pm

It would be a total shame for the kids, but it would be a necessary wake up call for their director.

It's not too long ago that I was in high school myself. Of course I participated in the high school drama club, but everything was dealt with in a professional manner. A show wouldn't even be announced unless the rights were secured. The principal would not approve the show unless she saw that the rights had been obtained.

What it comes down to is a very self-important, naive director who has no regard for other people.

[KJisgroovy]

Posted: 5/9/06 at 2:49pm

"What it comes down to is a very self-important, naive director who has no regard for other people"

In this I agree with you COMPLETELY! And I personally would take pleasure in their demise... It's hard for me to think of how bummed our kids would be if our right were pulled (THOUGH THERE IS NO REASON THEY WOULD BE! Ha.)... and when I do think about it... it makes me sad.


kmc

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 5/9/06 at 2:52pm

That's the point, though.

You get the rights FIRST.

In High School, they never announced the play until everyone auditioned and the cast list went up.

I think it's pretty dumb. Knowing the show helps spark interest and whatnot (though occasionally we were told early one).

Anyway, you GET the rights...THEN you cast...THEN you rehears...THEN you perform.

[sondwisenheimer]

Posted: 5/9/06 at 2:59pm

As far as the principal is concerned, even though he had it coming, I wouldn't want to see him do the cell block tango and all that jazz for it. All I care about is love.

[Anakela]

Posted: 5/9/06 at 3:26pm

I hope that all of the students have learned a lesson about why it's important to follow all of the rules. It's not their fault that this happened, but even though they've decided to let the production run it's a good life lesson for them.

I don't know- do you think the students learned to follow the rules, since they're now being allowed to do "one unauthorized, unlicensed single performance of Chicago," as per the Samuel French statement in the article, after all?

Or, do you think the students learned that if you break the rules, and try to perform material that you don't license any rights to, all you have to do is get a write up in the newspaper to make people feel sorry for you, and then you get your way, and you get to do something that the other schools in your situation who did follow the rules, and try and get the rights first did not get to do? 'Tis easier to ask for forgiveness than to ask for permission.

sondwisenheimer- I like your post! :)

Posted: 5/9/06 at 3:49pm

"That's the point, though.

You get the rights FIRST.

In High School, they never announced the play until everyone auditioned and the cast list went up.

I think it's pretty dumb. Knowing the show helps spark interest and whatnot (though occasionally we were told early one).

Anyway, you GET the rights...THEN you cast...THEN you rehears...THEN you perform. ."


...Perhaps i have something wrong here so forgive me if i do..but many high schools do work that way ..By no means am i trying to be a high school dramam nerd myself.. but i am..theres always a green apple in a bunch of red..**** happens. they learned..and it sucks. However not every high school production works like that and many do follow the standard procedure...maybe we could try to let it go a bit.

[ElphabaRose]

Posted: 5/9/06 at 4:11pm

To be honest, I don't think that an exception should have been made. I'm from Westchester, and we couldn't get rights to some of the shows we originally planned to put on because we were too close (before the Steal Magnolias revival was announced, that was going to be our comedy for the year, we did the female version of The Odd Couple instead). If schools take the legal route to put on a show and are denyed the privledge, why should a school that does everything completely illegally get rewarded. I would feel bad for the students, but people need to learn that they can't get away with whatever they want.

[Hanna from Hamburg]

Posted: 5/9/06 at 4:11pm

I'm afraid Samuel French and the Weissler's only gave in because of the bad publicity they got surrounding this. But I think it's a bad choice to make this exception. Why is it fair for this group to do "Chicago" by claiming ignorance and their neighboring high school doesn't get to do it because they tried to follow the rules. The big question is, what shows did they do over the past 27 years and what royalties are due for them? I'm hoping someone is looking into that. Yes, it would 'suck to be them' if they put in all that work and didn't get to perform the show, but the lesson they are being taught is to whine and you'll get what you want.

Posted: 5/9/06 at 5:07pm

No its not really fair for them to get to do Chicago anyway. When I was in high school a few years ago, it was announced that we were going to do Grease just to later find out we couldn't get the rights because of a tour of it that was going on (or something like that). We didn't get far enough to actually start rehearsing, but still it was extreemly dissapointing at the time.
Nothing makes these kids special, their show should be pulled.

[Fabrizio2]

Posted: 5/9/06 at 5:09pm

I have seen videos on that youtube website of people actually dressed up like Elphaba (green paint and everything) and Glinda performing songs from the show...its ridiculous...I wouldn't waste my time.

[jv92]

Posted: 5/9/06 at 5:12pm

It's gone too far. I enjoyed myself when I first saw the show a few months after it opened. Now, I can't stand hearing about the damned thing.

[Chopstitute]

Posted: 5/9/06 at 5:15pm

I liked Wicked... for about 2.5 seconds. Now I really really want to put my head through a wall anyone mentions that green girl....

[best12bars]

Posted: 5/9/06 at 5:20pm

My favorite post in this so far has been the one that ponders a "high school edition" being released for Wicked.

Isn't that what is running on Broadway now??

And before you start throwing pies at me, I'm a big fan of the show. It's very effective and beautifully done. But it is, what it is.

A very GOOD "high school edition" of Wicked.

Updated On: 5/9/06 at 05:20 PM

[Chopstitute]

Posted: 5/9/06 at 5:24pm

Wicked Jr. is now going to give me nightmares...

[WickedGeek28]

Posted: 5/9/06 at 5:24pm

You'll know when it's out when you ask an 11 year old what show they're doing and they respond: "THe bestest show since GREASE!"