Is it true that you can't do a show while it's on Broadway?

Question

Is it true that you can't do a show while it's on Broadway?

Answer 1

it depends all on the individual show

some shows are withheld when on broadway and avaliable when there not

some shows are always avaliable

and some shows even become avaliable while the show is still running

an example of this is Blood Brothers which is on it's 30th year on the west end in london but only in the last year gave it's rights to the public, don't ask me why

then there is mousetrap which is the longest running west end show and has never been avaliable to perform anywhere else except on the west end

Answer 2

Usually amateur rights to produce a show are withheld while it is on Broadway.  When I was producing theatre, I was not allowed to produce The Odd Couple when The Female Odd Couple was about to be produced in NYC.  Caused me no end of difficulty with my arrangements.

Answer 3

To produce any show, you have to buy the rights to it. If a show is on Broadway/touring and is going to be nearby, your rights will likely get revoked.

Answer 4

Yes, because there are copyright issues so for a while a show that is on Broadway can only be performed by professional groups for several years before amateur rights are released so that nonprofessional groups (school, community theatre, etc) can do the show.