Play Suggestions: Les Miserables Status

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Les Miserables Status

Printed From: Community Theater Green Room
Category: Producing Theater
Forum Name: Play Suggestions
Forum Discription: Need help finding a show that's right for your theater? Ask here.
URL: http://www.communitytheater.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=3780
Printed Date: 11/26/24 at 11:35am
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Topic: Les Miserables Status

Posted By: james2152
Subject: Les Miserables Status
Date Posted: 1/28/09 at 9:22pm

Hello everyone, I'm new here, but I have a question that has been bugging me for a little while. Even though MTI still says "Les Miserables" is restricted, and in the email I sent them, they replied "They are not issuing licenses at this time", right under their "upcoming Shows" link, they have at least 30 upcoming production listed, some even community theaters.

Does anyone here know whats going on? Do we have to go directly through Cameron Mackintosh company?

any help us appreciated!

Thanks!
James

Replies:

Posted By: Theatrestation
Date Posted: 1/29/09 at 10:52am

I am willing to bet that they are "Professional" theatres and do not fall under "amateur leasing". All the theatres I recognize on the list would likely be contractually listed as professional.

I, too, am waiting for the rights to become available.

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http://www.castbuilding.com
http://www.theatrestation.com

Posted By: greenphoenix
Date Posted: 1/29/09 at 1:52pm

They obviously are being very selective about issuing the rights at the moment. Our theatre had a similar challenge with getting the rights to a well-known show.

If a show still has touring companies or other regional versions out there, the company sometimes does not want "competing" productions. So just be patient- it may take a year or two for the rights to become available to your theatre.

Posted By: james2152
Date Posted: 1/29/09 at 2:37pm

I am seriously looking into the school version. Since we are a community theater with all volunteers, getting the rights to that should not be a problem.

Only problem is trying to find 25+ good actors that are all under 19... Les Miserables is a pretty complex show.

Has anyone here ever done the School version? Does it differ greatly from the main show? Did you find royalties are cheaper or more expensive for the school version than most other shows?

Thanks!
James

Posted By: Theatrestation
Date Posted: 1/29/09 at 4:15pm

James,

You may already know this, but in order to do the school version ALL cast members must still be in school. Even if they have just graduated they are not eligible.

Susan

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http://www.castbuilding.com
http://www.theatrestation.com

Posted By: james2152
Date Posted: 1/29/09 at 4:31pm

I was aware of that yes...
I have seen a few community theaters produce this show, so I take it they do issue a license to a community theater, so long as the age requirements and advertising requirements are met?

We have a large pool of talented high school students here, so finding good actors should not be too hard.

Thanks,
James

Posted By: Theatrestation
Date Posted: 1/29/09 at 11:25pm

As I understand it, yes. It does not have to be an actual school, but the age requirements, etc. must be met.

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http://www.castbuilding.com
http://www.theatrestation.com

Posted By: dboris
Date Posted: 1/30/09 at 12:51pm

I ran across this site:

http://www.lesmizschooledition.com/default_home.asp - http://www.lesmizschooledition.com/default_home.asp

which indicates that there are certain restrictions on advertising even the School Edition because of the touring company.

It's also important to note that there are restrictions on how may times you can perform the School Edition and how many people can see it.

I have seen the school edition, and although it is shorter the the full version I really didn't notice where the cuts were made.

Posted By: dboris
Date Posted: 1/30/09 at 12:53pm

After a little more digging I found this on Wikipedia:

"The Student Edition contains small cuts from the original show, mostly of a few bars and repeats, although some are more substantial. It is some 25 minutes shorter than the "official" version, although no critical scenes or songs have been removed. One or two changes may have been made for reasons of unsuitable language or sentiment (although the editors have not been squeamish about retaining the darker aspects of the drama such as the prostitution scenes or Bamatabois' abuse of Fantine) but most cuts have been made merely to shorten the show to a length manageable for young performers. A few subtle changes of vocal pitch have also been made for the same reason. "Stars" by Javert, "A Little Fall of Rain" by Éponine and Marius, "Turning" by the women of the Revolution, and "Castle on a Cloud" lose a verse each. "Dog Eats Dog" by Thénardier is heavily truncated as well. The song "Fantine's Death" is heavily edited as well - most of the confrontation between Valjean and Javert is removed."

Posted By: colugino
Date Posted: 7/19/09 at 5:05am

I hope this posts to the correct question. My theatre company did Rent last year and we were allowed to do the show as long as everyone in the cast was under 19. We lost our Angel because his birthday was the day of our second show. The company we got our rights through said "No exceptions." I think we just got someone who was having a bad day because usually we get permission for changes/exceptions such as this.

Posted By: musikman1
Date Posted: 8/04/09 at 3:48pm

I just went to THE site (lesmis.com) and the 2009/2010 international touring dates are restricted to UK theatres:

http://www.lesmis.com/tour.htm - http://www.lesmis.com/tour.htm

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Rick
http://www.bway2.com/tracks