Why can't schools perform shows that are still on Broadway?

Question

I don't get it. -_-

The director/drama teacher at my school was so happy that he could do Anything Goes, because his dad won best choreography for it on Broadway and he died a couple years ago so he wanted to dedicate it to him...

But anyway, I don't get it.

It's just a school performance, it's not like it's gonna stop anyone from seeing it on Broadway.

Answer 1

Yes, all depends on money.

Answer 2

Alyx, the school has to pay for performance rights. A show that's still on Broadway, or recently closed, will still be very expensive, well beyond the budget of most schools.

Answer 3

Actually, you COULD prevent someone from seeing it and that is the reason why you're not allowed to perform Broadway plays still on Broadway or on tour near you.  The reasoning is that if someone comes to see your play -- even if it is just a high school performance -- they might not want to see it if they were to take a trip to NYC any time in the near future.  They'd say "Well, I just saw Anything Goes -- true it was a HS show, but why pay (in NYC) $100 for something I just saw for $10.  Let's see _________ , instead."

Same is true for national tours if the tour comes within a certain distance from your town.

And certain theatre groups have a reputation for doing some pretty fine work even if they're local folks.  I was in a summer stock production of 42nd St. that prompted the reviewer to ask "Why should I pay $40 to see Cats when it comes to town on tour when I can catch this caliber show for $15?"  And that wasn't even one performance of Cats vs. another performance of Cats.

Hey, there's lots of other shows out there to do and you can find some connection to make the dedication still meaningful -- maybe another Cole Porter show

Answer 4

The rights are really expensive while it's on Broadway.

Answer 5

well the shcool has to get the rights!