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Musical review?

  • 1.  Musical review?

    Posted 11-12-2020 07:49
    I know I have seen this before but I don't remember the answers. It looks like we may not be able to do our spring musical in our theatre ( and maybe not at all). I was thinking of maybe a cabaret type show with small scenes leading up to a song from a show and stringing those together. I imagine getting the rights to do that are a problem. Does anyone have suggestions on making something like this work or is it dead in the water?

    Karen Dean
    Collierville, Tennessee
    --
    Karen Dean
    Director of Theatre
    St. George's Independent School
    1880 Wolf River Blvd.
    Collierville, TN  38017


  • 2.  RE: Musical review?

    Posted 11-13-2020 00:46
    I was thinking of doing the same thing...would be interested in any feedback as well!

    ---------------------------------
    Karin Neal
    Theatre Director/Drama Instructor
    Trinity Catholic Jr. Sr. High School
    Hutchinson KS
    ---------------------------------





  • 3.  RE: Musical review?

    Posted 11-13-2020 10:22
    I noticed on MTI that there are "concert rights" to individual songs for many musicals.  We are considering this as well, so I'll be following.  Below is the excerpt from MTI regarding these rights:

    Concert Selections are original Broadway orchestrations and exciting new symphonic arrangements of select songs for use in concert performances. Concert Selections are the perfect way to give audiences a taste of the musical theatre experience without the sets, props and costumes. $175 first performance and $100 each additional performance.

    ------------------------------
    Mindy Reed
    Troupe #390
    Fairfield High School
    Fairfield, OH
    ------------------------------



  • 4.  RE: Musical review?

    Posted 11-13-2020 14:56

    Hi there! This can get quite tricky (especially if streaming is involved!) so I wanted to share some tricks and tips.

    REVUES/CABARETS
    Putting together a revue or cabaret made up of songs or pieces from many works is very tricky and often quite expensive even when streaming isn't involved, as it involves getting different kinds of rights based on how each song is presented. Licensing houses represent 'grand rights,' or the right to present a dramatic performance while performing rights organizations like ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC focus on 'small rights,' or non-dramatic performances.


    To determine if it's a "dramatic" performance, look at it this way: no dialogue may be used, and no sets, costumes, or choreography from the original show, plot, or characters may be used. 

    Revues, cabarets, and showcases that include songs only (without any kind of dramatic performances) are generally 'small rights' circumstances. To present this kind of performance, you'll need to obtain the appropriate 'small rights' license. Generally, the venue must obtain a blanket license to use the songs from ASCAP/BMI/SESAC.  For more information about blanket licenses, see the respective websites of ASCAP (www.ascap.com), BMI (www.bmi.com), or SESAC (www.sesac.com). 
     

    For streaming requests, you'll need to use ASCAP/BMI/SESAC search tools to contact each individual music publisher (again, usually different than the licensing house) for each individual song to determine if they can approve sync (video) rights. If your school has a blanket license, this does NOT cover video.


    Most licensing house materials can only be used for dramatic/grand rights performances, and are generally not available without licensing the full production.  You must locate your own sheet music or other needed materials from another source. 

    CONCERTS
    The "concerts" sections on licensing websites is really more about concerts with orchestras and live music, not necessarily a cabaret or streamed revue. Many have some specific "concert editions" for some titles that have more reduced scripts.

    If you're looking to do a "concert version" of a full-length show, just note that it's really licensed the same as a full-length production. The only difference is that you aren't putting in more sophisticated production elements like multiple costumes, advanced choreography, etc. The licensing is the same for these. 


    WHAT HAPPENS IF I DO THIS ANYWAY WITHOUT PERMISSION?
    If this happens without permission, the author isn't being properly compensated for their art, and they didn't get to say how their work is used. At minimum, sites like YouTube and Facebook have copyright procedures and systems in place that your stream is likely to be shut down in the middle of your performance. It's also possible that you'll be charged more expensive performance and/or rental fees afterward, which you and your school would be liable for. It's just not a fun situation, and violates Federal copyright law. 

    RECOMMENDATIONS
    This is all a lot, and there are easier solutions. No one needs extra stress during tech week!

    We recommend trying to find something that is already published- there are many revues/song cycles available and ready for licensing. When you request licensing through a publisher, we do the work for you to make sure that all content is available for streaming or whatever situation you need it for. We want to make sure you and your students have exactly what you need before you get started!

    If you'd like some suggestions for some of our favorite revues or song cycles, please let me know. 



    ------------------------------
    Rosemary Bucher
    Educational Theatre Licensing Coordinator
    Concord Theatricals
    New York, NY
    ------------------------------



  • 5.  RE: Musical review?

    Posted 11-16-2020 10:33
    Hi Rosemary,
      Great overview.  Thank you!  Would love to hear some suggestions / examples. :-)

    Cheers,
    Guy

    ------------------------------
    Guy Barbato
    Theatre Teacher/Director
    Leonardtown MD
    ------------------------------



  • 6.  RE: Musical review?

    Posted 11-16-2020 11:19
    Just PMed you!

    ------------------------------
    Rosemary Bucher
    Educational Theatre Licensing Coordinator
    Concord Theatricals
    New York, NY
    ------------------------------



  • 7.  RE: Musical review?

    Posted 11-17-2020 08:39
    Hi Rosemary,
    I hope you are surviving the storm! Thanks for the overview of reviews and such. It's a great refresher. I too would like to hear suggestions. It's been a while since I have directed a revue but have enjoyed them in the past. 
    Thanks again!
    DJ Queenan
    Savannah Country Day School
    queenan@savcds.org

    ------------------------------
    DJ Queenan
    Director of Fine Arts
    Savannah GA
    ------------------------------



  • 8.  RE: Musical review?

    Posted 11-16-2020 12:56
    I would like some suggestions of revues that people have done successfully as well!

    ------------------------------
    Janette Clark
    Drama Teacher
    Minneapolis KS
    ------------------------------



  • 9.  RE: Musical review?

    Posted 11-17-2020 08:55
    Hi Rosemary, 

    Thank you for the information. We are also considering a revue and any suggestions you have would be helpful. 

    Thank you - Jane Dewey

    ------------------------------
    Jane Dewey
    Director of Arts Education
    Lexington KY
    ------------------------------



  • 10.  RE: Musical review?

    Posted 11-17-2020 12:38
    Hi Rosemary,
    Thank you so much for this overview! I, too, would love suggestions!
    Thanks!

    ------------------------------
    Shannon More
    Portland OR
    ------------------------------



  • 11.  RE: Musical review?

    Posted 11-17-2020 13:49
    Fabulous! I've private-messaged all of you. Please feel to reach out with any thoughts or questions!

    ------------------------------
    Rosemary Bucher
    Educational Theatre Licensing Coordinator
    Concord Theatricals
    New York, NY
    ------------------------------



  • 12.  RE: Musical review?

    Posted 11-18-2020 13:00
    I'd like to find out more from you about doing a revue. Please message me. Thanks!

    ------------------------------
    Sonja Brown, Theatre Teacher
    Thespian Troupe 839
    Galt High School
    ------------------------------



  • 13.  RE: Musical review?

    Posted 01-03-2021 21:21
    Rosemary, 

    Could I get the list of suggestions for a review show that you were giving back in November? Thanks!!

    ------------------------------
    Kathryn Chapin
    Theater Director/Social Studies Teacher
    ------------------------------



  • 14.  RE: Musical review?

    Posted 01-04-2021 10:58

    I'd be interested, too!

    Sonja






  • 15.  RE: Musical review?

    Posted 12-28-2020 21:06

    I would love to have recommendations for musical review material.

    Thank you 

    Melinda Carlson

    VCHS



    ------------------------------
    Melinda Carlson
    ------------------------------



  • 16.  RE: Musical review?

    Posted 01-04-2021 11:55
    Great! I've private-messaged all of you. Please feel to reach out with any thoughts or questions!

    ------------------------------
    Rosemary Bucher
    Educational Theatre Licensing Coordinator
    ------------------------------



  • 17.  RE: Musical review?

    Posted 01-05-2021 08:42
    Could I get that review information too?

    ------------------------------
    Lisa Groves
    Clinton Community High School
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  • 18.  RE: Musical review?

    Posted 01-11-2021 11:52
    Could you send me these suggestions as well? Thank you!

    ------------------------------
    Elizabeth Nelson
    Bishop Miege High School
    Theatre/Video Production Teacher
    Shawnee Mission, KS
    ------------------------------



  • 19.  RE: Musical review?

    Posted 01-04-2021 13:42
    Hello Rosemary,

    Had planned on producing Les Miserables this spring, but because of the pandemic we're now looking at a musical revue. 
    Suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

    Thanks so much!
    -- Mike

    ------------------------------
    Michael Fox
    Director of Theatre
    Glenbard West High School
    ------------------------------