Open Forum

I am about to take on writing my second musical for my troupe. I did it last year because I simply could not find a musical that fit our needs. Everything worked out great, but I'm a little more nervous this time around. My student population is so small, I have to pick the musical based on them rather than audition for any choice musical. And This year I am running extraordinarily low on soloists. I have one fantastic heavyset baritone and one very inexperienced freshman sophomore. That's it. Anyone know of a musical that is primarily ensemble numbers?? I enjoyed writing because I had full control over the musical selections, but if I could just find one that works for us..believe me..I would like to rest a little this spring!

I am about to take on writing my second musical for my troupe. I did it last year because I simply could not find a musical that fit our needs. Everything worked out great, but I'm a little more nervous this time around. My student population is so small, I have to pick the musical based on them rather than audition for any choice musical. And This year I am running extraordinarily low on soloists. I have one fantastic heavyset baritone and one very inexperienced freshman sophomore. That's it. Anyone know of a musical that is primarily ensemble numbers?? I enjoyed writing because I had full control over the musical selections, but if I could just find one that works for us..believe me..I would like to rest a little this spring!

I am about to take on writing my second musical for my troupe. I did it last year because I simply could not find a musical that fit our needs. Everything worked out great, but I'm a little more nervous this time around. My student population is so small, I have to pick the musical based on them rather than audition for any choice musical. And This year I am running extraordinarily low on soloists. I have one fantastic heavyset baritone and one very inexperienced freshman sophomore. That's it. Anyone know of a musical that is primarily ensemble numbers?? I enjoyed writing because I had full control over the musical selections, but if I could just find one that works for us..believe me..I would like to rest a little this spring!

I am about to take on writing my second musical for my troupe. I did it last year because I simply could not find a musical that fit our needs. Everything worked out great, but I'm a little more nervous this time around. My student population is so small, I have to pick the musical based on them rather than audition for any choice musical. And This year I am running extraordinarily low on soloists. I have one fantastic heavyset baritone and one very inexperienced freshman sophomore. That's it. Anyone know of a musical that is primarily ensemble numbers?? I enjoyed writing because I had full control over the musical selections, but if I could just find one that works for us..believe me..I would like to rest a little this spring!

Your statement that you might be "writing" a musical gives me pause because you then go on to describe using existing songs.

A musical is comprised of a score and libretto.

Permission will never be granted to shoehorn existing songs around a libretto of your own creation --- whether they be pop songs or from various other musicals. UNLESS the songs are in the public domain.

As others suggested: creating your own revue is fine, but there are limitations on that: no book, story line, through line, character/arcs, costumes, sets, etc. A revue (of your own creation) = concert with suggestions of costumes, etc. A licensed revue (as in Tintypes, etc.) may have those dramatic elements because rights were given to an author/director to create them in the original (usually first class --- meaning Broadway or West End) production.

A revue falls under small rights permission (ACAP, BMI, SESAC): once you add dramatic elements (choreo, sets, costumes, etc) then you enter the realm of grand rights and the licensing houses who exclusively rep the author's work.

Thank you so very much for your response.  I apologize that my original post was a little misleading.  No, I am writing my own musical....and will hire my own composer for my own original songs. However, I am always a bit nervous in taking on a musical on my own, so I like to have a full, complete show on standby that I could license if my creative devices fall through. 

Thank you for all of the information, however, while I have never considered using others' songs because I enjoy creating my own lyrics too much, I have always wondered what the rules were when it came to "revues" and why they could use songs out of context like that.

Here's a question....what about Karaoke tracks for just any song?  What are the legalities of using Karaoke tracks as part of a performance.  Not considering...just curious?

I am about to take on writing my second musical for my troupe. I did it last year because I simply could not find a musical that fit our needs. Everything worked out great, but I'm a little more nervous this time around. My student population is so small, I have to pick the musical based on them rather than audition for any choice musical. And This year I am running extraordinarily low on soloists. I have one fantastic heavyset baritone and one very inexperienced freshman sophomore. That's it. Anyone know of a musical that is primarily ensemble numbers?? I enjoyed writing because I had full control over the musical selections, but if I could just find one that works for us..believe me..I would like to rest a little this spring!

I am about to take on writing my second musical for my troupe. I did it last year because I simply could not find a musical that fit our needs. Everything worked out great, but I'm a little more nervous this time around. My student population is so small, I have to pick the musical based on them rather than audition for any choice musical. And This year I am running extraordinarily low on soloists. I have one fantastic heavyset baritone and one very inexperienced freshman sophomore. That's it. Anyone know of a musical that is primarily ensemble numbers?? I enjoyed writing because I had full control over the musical selections, but if I could just find one that works for us..believe me..I would like to rest a little this spring!

Acid Music and other loop based programs can get original music together in no time. All music built with the loops is your. They are shockingly simple to use.

I have not considered ACID Music.... I tried Studio One last year and it was way over my head. Usually I would hire someone to compose for me, but I have been struggling to find someone this year.  Thank you for the advice, I would look into ACID.  Do they have Swing type instruments available?

I am about to take on writing my second musical for my troupe. I did it last year because I simply could not find a musical that fit our needs. Everything worked out great, but I'm a little more nervous this time around. My student population is so small, I have to pick the musical based on them rather than audition for any choice musical. And This year I am running extraordinarily low on soloists. I have one fantastic heavyset baritone and one very inexperienced freshman sophomore. That's it. Anyone know of a musical that is primarily ensemble numbers?? I enjoyed writing because I had full control over the musical selections, but if I could just find one that works for us..believe me..I would like to rest a little this spring!