Open Forum

Lori,

The short answer is that you are not permitted to put together a revue of musical numbers from Broadway shows (with or without a "book") - especially if those songs/scenes are done as if they were extracted from the musical.

Whether based on a composer's body of work, or around a theme, or from pre-existing "grand rights" (existing musicals) individual songs, creating a Broadway themed musical revue is a complex and time consuming process which requires a myriad of correspondence to obtain clearances from song publishers, record labels, authors and their representatives. With the complexity of issues that arise (i.e. the show is still running or the show is very popular in its full format, or the authors or estates are not interested in devaluing their work into a revue show, or the proposed script is unacceptable, etc.) these clearances are almost never provided. As a matter of fact, ASCAP, BMI and SESAC (United States Performing Rights Organizations that protect copyrights) specifically prohibit organizations from obtaining a license from them when the creation (or presentation) of a musical revue, using songs that were copyrighted as part of a grand right work, are involved.

Here is the relevant language from the ASCAP license: ASCAP Limitations on License:

"c) This License is limited to nondramatic performances, and does not authorize any dramatic performances. For purposes of this agreement, a dramatic performance shall include, but not limited to, the following:
i) performance of a "dramatico-musical work" (as hereafter defined) in its entirety;
ii) performance of one or more musical compositions from a "dramatico-musical work" (as hereafter defined) accompanied by dialogue, pantomime, dance, stage action, or visual representation of the work from which the music is taken;
iii) performance of one or more musical compositions from a "dramatico-musical work" as part of a story or plot, whether accompanied or unaccompanied by dialogue, pantomime, dance, stage action, or visual representation;
iv) performance of a concert version of a "dramatico-musical work" (as hereafter defined).

The term "dramatico-musical work" as used in this agreement, shall include, but not be limited to, a musical, musical comedy, opera, play with music, revue, or ballet."

I could go on but I gather you get the point. I can tell you that hundreds of requests for usage of individual songs from Broadway shows for revue projects have always been denied. That being said, you might want to see if the song(s) that you'd like to perform are available as a choral arrangement at JW Pepper, www.jwpepper.com. If you purchase one copy of a choral arrangement from JW Pepper for each member of your performance group/cast, the license to perform that piece is included (as is an accompaniment track in most cases).

As an example, having answered this question in the past, I can tell you that the only number from SPAMALOT available as a choral/vocal arrangement at Pepper is "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life" http://www.jwpepper.com/Always-Look-on-the-Bright-Side-of-Life/10298910.item.

If you read the fine print in every Broadway Vocal Selections book in print, it specifically states that "public performance is an infringement of copyright." Even if you purchase sheet music on an authorized site like, http://www.musicnotes.com/, the permission granted is for private use, auditions and competitions only.

I'm sure you must have the "sorry I asked" feeling that I had when I first asked this question years ago. But these are the facts regarding copyright law and musical revues - and they do apply to schools and youth theatres.

Your best bet is to look at one of the existing revues already created and licensed by one of the licensing companies.


------------------------------
Jim Hoare
Vice President, Licensing & Accounts
TRW
New York NY
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 02-18-2015 21:15
From: Lori Duncan
Subject: Musical Theatre Variety Performance Ideas

My high school troupe would like to do a cabaret like performance as a fundraiser.  I would like to tie the songs together with some type of story.  Has anyone done this before?  Any ideas?

------------------------------
Lori Duncan
Drama Teacher
Bay City MI
------------------------------

Lori,

The short answer is that you are not permitted to put together a revue of musical numbers from Broadway shows (with or without a "book") - especially if those songs/scenes are done as if they were extracted from the musical.

Whether based on a composer's body of work, or around a theme, or from pre-existing "grand rights" (existing musicals) individual songs, creating a Broadway themed musical revue is a complex and time consuming process which requires a myriad of correspondence to obtain clearances from song publishers, record labels, authors and their representatives. With the complexity of issues that arise (i.e. the show is still running or the show is very popular in its full format, or the authors or estates are not interested in devaluing their work into a revue show, or the proposed script is unacceptable, etc.) these clearances are almost never provided. As a matter of fact, ASCAP, BMI and SESAC (United States Performing Rights Organizations that protect copyrights) specifically prohibit organizations from obtaining a license from them when the creation (or presentation) of a musical revue, using songs that were copyrighted as part of a grand right work, are involved.

Here is the relevant language from the ASCAP license: ASCAP Limitations on License:

"c) This License is limited to nondramatic performances, and does not authorize any dramatic performances. For purposes of this agreement, a dramatic performance shall include, but not limited to, the following:
i) performance of a "dramatico-musical work" (as hereafter defined) in its entirety;
ii) performance of one or more musical compositions from a "dramatico-musical work" (as hereafter defined) accompanied by dialogue, pantomime, dance, stage action, or visual representation of the work from which the music is taken;
iii) performance of one or more musical compositions from a "dramatico-musical work" as part of a story or plot, whether accompanied or unaccompanied by dialogue, pantomime, dance, stage action, or visual representation;
iv) performance of a concert version of a "dramatico-musical work" (as hereafter defined).

The term "dramatico-musical work" as used in this agreement, shall include, but not be limited to, a musical, musical comedy, opera, play with music, revue, or ballet."

I could go on but I gather you get the point. I can tell you that hundreds of requests for usage of individual songs from Broadway shows for revue projects have always been denied. That being said, you might want to see if the song(s) that you'd like to perform are available as a choral arrangement at JW Pepper, www.jwpepper.com. If you purchase one copy of a choral arrangement from JW Pepper for each member of your performance group/cast, the license to perform that piece is included (as is an accompaniment track in most cases).

As an example, having answered this question in the past, I can tell you that the only number from SPAMALOT available as a choral/vocal arrangement at Pepper is "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life" http://www.jwpepper.com/Always-Look-on-the-Bright-Side-of-Life/10298910.item.

If you read the fine print in every Broadway Vocal Selections book in print, it specifically states that "public performance is an infringement of copyright." Even if you purchase sheet music on an authorized site like, http://www.musicnotes.com/, the permission granted is for private use, auditions and competitions only.

I'm sure you must have the "sorry I asked" feeling that I had when I first asked this question years ago. But these are the facts regarding copyright law and musical revues - and they do apply to schools and youth theatres.

Your best bet is to look at one of the existing revues already created and licensed by one of the licensing companies.


------------------------------
Jim Hoare
Vice President, Licensing & Accounts
TRW
New York NY
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 02-18-2015 21:15
From: Lori Duncan
Subject: Musical Theatre Variety Performance Ideas

My high school troupe would like to do a cabaret like performance as a fundraiser.  I would like to tie the songs together with some type of story.  Has anyone done this before?  Any ideas?

------------------------------
Lori Duncan
Drama Teacher
Bay City MI
------------------------------

Lori,

The short answer is that you are not permitted to put together a revue of musical numbers from Broadway shows (with or without a "book") - especially if those songs/scenes are done as if they were extracted from the musical.

Whether based on a composer's body of work, or around a theme, or from pre-existing "grand rights" (existing musicals) individual songs, creating a Broadway themed musical revue is a complex and time consuming process which requires a myriad of correspondence to obtain clearances from song publishers, record labels, authors and their representatives. With the complexity of issues that arise (i.e. the show is still running or the show is very popular in its full format, or the authors or estates are not interested in devaluing their work into a revue show, or the proposed script is unacceptable, etc.) these clearances are almost never provided. As a matter of fact, ASCAP, BMI and SESAC (United States Performing Rights Organizations that protect copyrights) specifically prohibit organizations from obtaining a license from them when the creation (or presentation) of a musical revue, using songs that were copyrighted as part of a grand right work, are involved.

Here is the relevant language from the ASCAP license: ASCAP Limitations on License:

"c) This License is limited to nondramatic performances, and does not authorize any dramatic performances. For purposes of this agreement, a dramatic performance shall include, but not limited to, the following:
i) performance of a "dramatico-musical work" (as hereafter defined) in its entirety;
ii) performance of one or more musical compositions from a "dramatico-musical work" (as hereafter defined) accompanied by dialogue, pantomime, dance, stage action, or visual representation of the work from which the music is taken;
iii) performance of one or more musical compositions from a "dramatico-musical work" as part of a story or plot, whether accompanied or unaccompanied by dialogue, pantomime, dance, stage action, or visual representation;
iv) performance of a concert version of a "dramatico-musical work" (as hereafter defined).

The term "dramatico-musical work" as used in this agreement, shall include, but not be limited to, a musical, musical comedy, opera, play with music, revue, or ballet."

I could go on but I gather you get the point. I can tell you that hundreds of requests for usage of individual songs from Broadway shows for revue projects have always been denied. That being said, you might want to see if the song(s) that you'd like to perform are available as a choral arrangement at JW Pepper, www.jwpepper.com. If you purchase one copy of a choral arrangement from JW Pepper for each member of your performance group/cast, the license to perform that piece is included (as is an accompaniment track in most cases).

As an example, having answered this question in the past, I can tell you that the only number from SPAMALOT available as a choral/vocal arrangement at Pepper is "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life" http://www.jwpepper.com/Always-Look-on-the-Bright-Side-of-Life/10298910.item.

If you read the fine print in every Broadway Vocal Selections book in print, it specifically states that "public performance is an infringement of copyright." Even if you purchase sheet music on an authorized site like, http://www.musicnotes.com/, the permission granted is for private use, auditions and competitions only.

I'm sure you must have the "sorry I asked" feeling that I had when I first asked this question years ago. But these are the facts regarding copyright law and musical revues - and they do apply to schools and youth theatres.

Your best bet is to look at one of the existing revues already created and licensed by one of the licensing companies.


------------------------------
Jim Hoare
Vice President, Licensing & Accounts
TRW
New York NY
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 02-18-2015 21:15
From: Lori Duncan
Subject: Musical Theatre Variety Performance Ideas

My high school troupe would like to do a cabaret like performance as a fundraiser.  I would like to tie the songs together with some type of story.  Has anyone done this before?  Any ideas?

------------------------------
Lori Duncan
Drama Teacher
Bay City MI
------------------------------

Lori,

The short answer is that you are not permitted to put together a revue of musical numbers from Broadway shows (with or without a "book") - especially if those songs/scenes are done as if they were extracted from the musical.

Whether based on a composer's body of work, or around a theme, or from pre-existing "grand rights" (existing musicals) individual songs, creating a Broadway themed musical revue is a complex and time consuming process which requires a myriad of correspondence to obtain clearances from song publishers, record labels, authors and their representatives. With the complexity of issues that arise (i.e. the show is still running or the show is very popular in its full format, or the authors or estates are not interested in devaluing their work into a revue show, or the proposed script is unacceptable, etc.) these clearances are almost never provided. As a matter of fact, ASCAP, BMI and SESAC (United States Performing Rights Organizations that protect copyrights) specifically prohibit organizations from obtaining a license from them when the creation (or presentation) of a musical revue, using songs that were copyrighted as part of a grand right work, are involved.

Here is the relevant language from the ASCAP license: ASCAP Limitations on License:

"c) This License is limited to nondramatic performances, and does not authorize any dramatic performances. For purposes of this agreement, a dramatic performance shall include, but not limited to, the following:
i) performance of a "dramatico-musical work" (as hereafter defined) in its entirety;
ii) performance of one or more musical compositions from a "dramatico-musical work" (as hereafter defined) accompanied by dialogue, pantomime, dance, stage action, or visual representation of the work from which the music is taken;
iii) performance of one or more musical compositions from a "dramatico-musical work" as part of a story or plot, whether accompanied or unaccompanied by dialogue, pantomime, dance, stage action, or visual representation;
iv) performance of a concert version of a "dramatico-musical work" (as hereafter defined).

The term "dramatico-musical work" as used in this agreement, shall include, but not be limited to, a musical, musical comedy, opera, play with music, revue, or ballet."

I could go on but I gather you get the point. I can tell you that hundreds of requests for usage of individual songs from Broadway shows for revue projects have always been denied. That being said, you might want to see if the song(s) that you'd like to perform are available as a choral arrangement at JW Pepper, www.jwpepper.com. If you purchase one copy of a choral arrangement from JW Pepper for each member of your performance group/cast, the license to perform that piece is included (as is an accompaniment track in most cases).

As an example, having answered this question in the past, I can tell you that the only number from SPAMALOT available as a choral/vocal arrangement at Pepper is "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life" http://www.jwpepper.com/Always-Look-on-the-Bright-Side-of-Life/10298910.item.

If you read the fine print in every Broadway Vocal Selections book in print, it specifically states that "public performance is an infringement of copyright." Even if you purchase sheet music on an authorized site like, http://www.musicnotes.com/, the permission granted is for private use, auditions and competitions only.

I'm sure you must have the "sorry I asked" feeling that I had when I first asked this question years ago. But these are the facts regarding copyright law and musical revues - and they do apply to schools and youth theatres.

Your best bet is to look at one of the existing revues already created and licensed by one of the licensing companies.


------------------------------
Jim Hoare
Vice President, Licensing & Accounts
TRW
New York NY
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 02-18-2015 21:15
From: Lori Duncan
Subject: Musical Theatre Variety Performance Ideas

My high school troupe would like to do a cabaret like performance as a fundraiser.  I would like to tie the songs together with some type of story.  Has anyone done this before?  Any ideas?

------------------------------
Lori Duncan
Drama Teacher
Bay City MI
------------------------------

Jim Hoare is wrong. You can do it under the Fair Use Act. See the link below. Schools do it all the time.

More Information on Fair Use| U.S. Copyright Office

Stephanie,

Sorry, but Jim isn't wrong, and just because a bunch of schools do it doesn't mean they're right. My play 4 A.M. has had half a dozen illegal productions (which we've caught) this year alone; schools do a lot of things they're not supposed to, generally out of a lack of understanding of copyright and licensing.

Fair Use is frequently misunderstood as a magic bullet for everything, and it's absolutely not. It's tricky and very much dependent on the facts of a specific case. Using song lyrics in a book or in a play, for instance, is almost always a no-no; anything more than a few words typically goes beyond the limitations of Fair Use.

Here is yet another resource reinforcing Jim's excellent answer:
http://www.aact.org/uploads/kb/87/file/Revues.pdf

Cheers,
Jonathan

Stephanie,

Sorry, but Jim isn't wrong, and just because a bunch of schools do it doesn't mean they're right. My play 4 A.M. has had half a dozen illegal productions (which we've caught) this year alone; schools do a lot of things they're not supposed to, generally out of a lack of understanding of copyright and licensing.

Fair Use is frequently misunderstood as a magic bullet for everything, and it's absolutely not. It's tricky and very much dependent on the facts of a specific case. Using song lyrics in a book or in a play, for instance, is almost always a no-no; anything more than a few words typically goes beyond the limitations of Fair Use.

Here is yet another resource reinforcing Jim's excellent answer:
http://www.aact.org/uploads/kb/87/file/Revues.pdf

Cheers,
Jonathan

Jim Hoare is wrong. You can do it under the Fair Use Act. See the link below. Schools do it all the time.

More Information on Fair Use| U.S. Copyright Office

I used to have a musical rep class and we did "100 Years of Broadway" every fall to teach the students about classic musicals.  It is low royalty if any, but you do purchase the music.  I think it even comes with a CD.  You can do it with cubes and staging and some dance.  We did it as a coffee house with old couches on stage and carpet with pillows and then also as a small theatre production. 

I have also done a coffee house fundraiser with short scenes, monologues, bongos/poetry, and a song or two.  Yes you have to be aware of royalty rights so be selective.  

Lee Hitchler