LICENSING

First, it's important to note that this musical is protected under the US Copyright Act. Before you can produce the show, you must obtain a license. A license grants you rights to perform the show and outlines all fees.

To obtain a performance license, you must first submit an applicationto F & G Music, Ltd. Applications can be filled out online, or you can download the application as a pdf file and then it can be faxed or sent by US mail.

The License Application will ask you for the following information:
* Name and Address of Producing Organization
* Phone and Fax numbers/Email address
* Dates of Desired Performance(s)
* Number of Performances
* Name of Theatre/Auditorium
* Seating Capacity of Theatre/Auditorium
* Ticket Prices (be specific, include all discounts)

The processing time for an application is no more than 2 weeks.

You must obtain written confirmation of the musical's availability from F & G Music, LTD. before planning a production or beginning publicity.

There are two fees involved in licensing the musical:
* A royalty fee (per performance)
* A rental fee

A royalty fee is due whenever the musical is presented in front of an audience - whether an admission is charged or not. This includes classroom presentations, benefits, or private shows. The fact that a performance is a free or a benefit is taken into account when fees are quoted.

When you enter into a licensing agreement, the materials supplied by F & G Music (which generally include the script/libretto-vocal books, a piano conductor score and individual orchestra parts) must be rented as a condition of the license. The standard rental time is four months prior to your initial performance. Additional fees apply for each additional rental week.

If the terms of the Production Contract are acceptable to your organization, sign and return it to F & G Music, LTD. with payment. Once we have received your signed contract and the appropriate fees, rehearsal materials are scheduled for shipment. Materials are shipped four months before your first performance.

Licensing Fees and How They Are Determined

In licensing musicals, F & G Music, LTD. charges two basic fees: royalty fee, and rental fees.

* Royalty Fee
Royalties are the authors' way of being paid for the use of their show (their "intellectual property"). The authors of a musical may include the bookwriter (who writes the dialogue), the composer (who writes the music), and the lyricist (who writes the words to the music). Their right to be paid for use of their work is guaranteed by the copyright laws of this and other countries and is the basis of theatrical licensing.

* Rental Fee
Rental fees are charged for the materials we supply to your organization in conjunction with a performance license. These materials include the performance materials (scripts, scores, orchestrations, rehearsal trax, etc.)

Once a customer receives a Production Contract, they must fill it out, sign it and return it to F & G Music, LTD. with payment of all fees.

Royalties for special events, benefits, etc.

Any presentation of the musical that takes place in front of an assembly of people (no matter how few) is considered royalty-bearing under the law, whether or not admission is charged. This can include "invited" dress rehearsals, or benefit performances. A valid performance license is required for all of these performances. If a group has any questions whether or not a performance may require a royalty, they should contact us. The importance of obtaining a license for all royalty-bearing performances cannot be stressed too strongly, as the penalties for violating Federal copyright law are severe indeed.

Responsibilities of the Producing Organization

During rehearsals, the director or producer may find that some changes are required to make the show work in their theatre. Or they may feel making "minor adjustments" to a show (such as changing the gender of a character or changing the name of a town to give it local significance) is inconsequential to its integrity, or believe they have the right to "experiment" with the authors' intentions as an expression of their artistic vision.

This is not the case.

When you are granted a performance license, by law the musical must be performed "as is." You have no right to make any changes at all unless you have obtained prior written permission from us to do so. Otherwise, any changes violate the authors' rights under federal copyright law. Without prior permission from F & G Music, LTD., your actions may subject you to liability for breaching the terms of your license agreement, which clearly forbids you to make any changes or deletions.

Occasionally, we do permit some minor modifications or cuts, but these must be requested, and then approved in writing. NO ADDITIONAL MATERIAL MAY BE ADDED TO THE SHOW. That would also be a violation of the federal copyright law.

Please click here to download a pdf of the License Application.

Please click here to submit a License Application online.

Please click here to download a pdf of the Performance License to read and review.

Upon completion of your License Application, you will be mailed a Production Contract detailing all fees. If you agree to the terms of the Production Contract, please return the signed contract with payment for all fees included, and show materials will be mailed to you.