Rights/Royalties specific q's...

[rKrispyt]

Posted: 2/10/06 at 9:14pm

2 questions regarding the legality and obtaining the rights etc. to the following:

1. if I'm choreographing a show, and I want to keep the original choreography for one of the dances (I'm asking because I'd like if I can to keep Fosse's original choreography to Rich Man's Frug for a production of Charity I'm working on in the spring) how do I go about doing so legally? I refuse to do so without paying any necessary royalties, obtaining the rights to legally due so, and noting it appropriately in the program - I just need help in figuring out how to go about doing that.

2. along the same lines I want to put together a benefit done very low-key, no admission price just donations accepted/encouraged, picking about 5 shows and featuring a segment of each show featuring 4-6 songs from each show, staged/choreographed, not costumed, no set really...what kind of rights do I need ot obtain for that? some shows I'd like to do are currently on bway (like spelling bee) - is it best to write the composers for permission? or do I do ascap? I don't want to do that illegally either.

Thanks so much if anyone knwos!

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 2/10/06 at 9:27pm

Answer to number 1 is you can't duplicate choreography without permission of the choreographer (or the estate). But you can probably inquire about how to do that through the licensing company of the material (Tams, MTI, etc). The flip side is that some shows (like FIDDLER) actually REQUIRE you to use the original choreography.

2. Technically, you are supposed to have an ASCAP liscence, which will allow you to perform up to 4 songs from any one musical. You can also contact the composers directly (Stephen Schwartz's office and Bill Finn's people are easily reached) and they "might" waive the rights for you in consideration of your benefit.
Updated On: 2/10/06 at 09:27 PM

[rKrispyt]

Posted: 2/10/06 at 9:47pm

I'm hoping to at least have some kind of 'curve' on the rights since we're hardly mounting a full scale production or anything close, y'know?

Any idea how to get in touch with the people I'd need to to obtain permission for Fosse's choreography? Or where I'd even start that process?

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 2/10/06 at 9:52pm

Contact TAMS WITMARK in NYC - who controls the rights to SWEET CHARITY. They can tell you who to contact, or perhaps they can even grant you permission themselves. I don't know exactly what they will tell you, but I'm sure they will appreciate the request - most high schools and community theatres "take" their choreography straight from the film version (which is of course Fosse).