Calling All Musical Theatre People. . .can anyone clear this up?

[thimblekisses]

I've been wondering this for a long time, and I wonder if anybody has any clue about it. I'm not sure if this has been discussed before, at least not recently. The past few times we've been to MK, outside and in the Emporium, the instrumental soundtracks to "The Music Man" and "Oklahoma" have been playing. Does Disney own the rights to these? What is the significance of those songs other than the early 20th century Americana? Or is it because Disney has produced or will produce remakes of them? (Did they do the Music Man for t.v. with . . . who was it, Matthew Broderick?) I just found that to be kind of strange. I mean I don't know about Music Man, but I know Oklahoma is owned by the Rodgers and Hammerstein library, and if any of you have ever done any shows with them, you probably know that they're mad-protective of the rights of all of their material. You have to practically sell your first-born to get the rights to some of their shows (I'm talking community theatre, I don't know anything about doing them professionally.) Although I guess Disney has power over the rights to things more than even the Rodgers and Hammerstein people, because after all, we know that Disney runs the world.
This is kindof random but I was curious to see if anyone else knew anything more about it. . . maybe some CMs with the scoop? I mean I get it. Turn-of-the-century Americana. Right. And don't get me wrong, I love it. What's more fun for theatre geeks than to enter the park singing and dancing along with "Kansas City". I was just curious as the these shows' connection to Disney. Anyone. . .?

 

[Lee]

I could be wrong...but I think most of those songs are possibly in the public domain and available for use by anyone. Those not in public domain can be used by paying a fee to the publishing company. That is not as difficult as getting rights to produce the whole show.

Another musical used, but not mentioned, is "Ragtime".

 

[Horizons78]

I believe Lee just hit the nail on the head exactly...

BTW: Greetings from Sarasota!

 

[daveemtdave]

- Oklahoma has hit 50 years - making the music ONLY public doman - however - rights to the play are not - just looked into this along with other R & H for my classes.

 

[Legacy]

They also play "Elegance" and the parade song from Hello Dolly. I think the only reason those songs are used is because of the Americana connection. Those songs specifically have a "classic America" feel to them, which makes the prime for Main Street.

 

[barnum42]

I guess the imagineers chose the tracks as ones that will subconsciously put images in guest's minds. Certainly works with anything from Music Man (I've played Marcellus in two different productions). I think I remember the Kansas City tune from Oklahoma being played, which again is fitting for the theme.

As for rights, Disney will have come to an agreement with the copyright holders to pay a fee for use of the tunes as background music.

 

[daveemtdave]

Thought just crossed my mind - most of those musicals from the 50's and 60's were MGM or one of their offsprings - perhaps Disney does own the movie musical rights.

 

[aklodge]

I would help, but I know nothing about it. Sorry!

 

[barnum42]

Thought just crossed my mind - most of those musicals from the 50's and 60's were MGM or one of their offsprings - perhaps Disney does own the movie musical rights.

Performance rites can get complicated - A couple of years ago I played Magaldi in Evita. We had the rights to do the show on stage, but when the regional TV station said we could go to their studios to do a feature and get some publicity, it turned out that someone else had the film and broadcast rights and these people refused permission, so we lost a lot of publicity courtesy of some corporate suit.

 

[Tom]

As long as WDW pays their ASCAP and BMI dues, they can play anything they want, anytime. These are the two biggest organizations that license the public playing of music.

If you look in the credit area of any CD jacket, you'll see a list of fine print items. One of which will usually say (ASCAP) and/or (BMI). If so, you can buy a license for your event, theme park, or play and re-broadcast any music affiliated with that specific licensure.

WDW pays big bucks to be able to play any music they want to in their parks. Some of it may still be public domain at this point, but not all of it is.

 

[thimblekisses]

Another musical used, but not mentioned, is "Ragtime".

That's interesting! I've never heard Ragtime in the parks. I'll have to listen more closely! Someone else mentioned Hello, Dolly also. Now that you mention it, I think I have heard a couple from that one being played.
I thought of another thing last night. It is probably just our selective hearing, but it seems like the song Ryland and I hear most in there is "Kansas City" and we always feel compelled to sing along. I thought perhaps that this one might be a little nod to Walt. . . didn't he live there at some point? Maybe I'm crossing my facts, but I believe I remember reading that in my "How To Be Like Walt" book. :animwink:
I never thought about ASCAP. You're probably absolutely right about that. Our little theatre pays dues to ASCAP, too, for all our Musical Revues and such.

Thanks for the input, guys!

P.S. Greetings from Bradenton, Sarasota buddy! I could go outside and shout hello from here and you might hear me!:wave:

 

[daveemtdave]

I also understand the fees that need to be paid -- we had to have written permission to perform for our local t.v. station - but I made those arrangements when filling out the application. I, also, know that it was not cheap -- I can only imagine what the costs of some of the newer musicals can be -- that is why we can not perform musicals as much as we would like -- plays are far more inexpensive, plus there is not so much red tape.

 

[GymLeaderPhil]

I always find myself singing along with the musical excerpts while on Main Street. Went with a group of friends who were in The Music Man and we were all singing at one point... :lookaroun

 

[tigger248]

I always seem to sing along too. I just can't help it! Back in July, this one guy was laughing at me because I was singing Elegance from Hello Dolly as I walked to my breakfast at Crystal Palace. I wasn't sure if he was amused that I'm young and knew the words or if it was something else (like perhaps he thought I was just silly for singing along...). :lol:

I think that the main reason these songs are played on Main Street is that they all took place in turn of the century America. Thus helping to create that turn of the century Americana feeling that you're supposed to get while walking on Main Street USA.

 

[Chape19714]

OK, from a Musical Theatre person:

There was a Ask Dave on this once, although I don't remember which Issue of Disney Magizine it was in, and it would take a while to look through every single one.

Meridith Wilson was the music writer for the Music Man, and conducted the marching band on the grand opening of WDW in 1971. Disney did a TV "Wonderful World of Disney" version of the musical with Matthew Brodrick, which premiered on the Fourth of July weekend 2 years ago. It plays every 4th of July weekend on the show. It is also available on DVD. So Disney does have some rights to these songs.

Oklahoma music plays jor the theme of old-town america, and Disney obtianed the playing rights for this. R&H does own the rights to this musical, and they are very strict about how thier plays are done, and who they give the rights to. My High School did R&H's Cinderella, and there was not too much of a problem, although our Music Theatre Department is associated with the Professional Theatre in town (and they get deals with Disney to do Disney shows).

So there you have it. Hope this answers your questions. btw: Disney does have to pay royalites to all the music used in the parks, public forums could be used, but in a place where so many hear the music, it would be very risky, espically if someone were in the park that worked for, say R&H. That's my knowledge for ya. GOOD QUESTION! Those are the great questions I love answering.

 

[raven]

I believe they only have the rights to play the songs, not "perform" them.

As a producer/director for theatre, I know that royalties for "performing" songs and shows are individualized for each specific company. Most rights companies (R&H, MTI, Tams Witmark) base the fee off of how many performances you will be doing, how many seats you have and what the percentage of seats will be sold for those performances.

But I believe that the songs that Disney are using sidesteps these laws due to the fact that they are only playing them. Songs written a certain amount of years ago can be played without royalties paid. I know I've heard "Gary, Indiana" from Music Man and "Kansas City" from Oklahoma before. However some music in the musical "Ragtime" are actually old songs from the ragetime ara, making those songs old enough for "public" use.

Hope this might clear up a few questions. And by the way, I will be producer for Music Man in the fall. :wave:

 

[Legacy]

Hope this might clear up a few questions. And by the way, I will be producer for Music Man in the fall. :wave:

Need an actor? I have experience as Charlie Cowell.

 

[marchofthecards]

Main St. loop music

Hi,

Disney do own quite a few of them. Some of the titles are from The Happiest Millionaire (Fortuosity), Summer Magic, etc... all thanks to the fabulous Sherman Bros.

If you so wish, you can download a whole bunch of Main St. USA Loop music at www.soundsofmagic.com and you can get a load of other tracks from rides and shows etc from WDW, DL and DLP.... check the DLP section for a whole host of atmosphere music for each land, and also features Christmas holiday music. Try the DLP Tree Lightening Ceremony!!!! Recommended!

Interestingly all the parks differ with Main St. DLP has two loops, a slowy one in the morning and a more upbeat one for the afternoon (when everyone is flagging).

I don't recall in DLP's any Music Man tracks, though the band do play them on opening etc... Its very apt that they do include the music man for WDW though, afterall Meredith Wilson was there opening day with a 1000 piece band!!!

Have a good weekend!

Simes

 

[thimblekisses]

Birds of a feather. . .

Wow! Great replies, guys. I honestly didn't expect to get this much response. I'm glad there are so many other theatre geeks out there who also love Disney. ("Theatre geeks" being an affectionate term, of course. :animwink: )

Very interesting bit about Meredith Willson and opening day! I had no idea! Great trivia.

Overall I think the choice of these musicals playing is a delightful addition to MK. I did notice, as was mentioned above, that the slower tracks play in the morning and the more upbeat ones take over later in the day. We are always happy to sing along to these songs as we come in, just as much as we sing along to the Disney songs on the Carrousel, and in Wishes, and in the bathrooms. . .
Just one more thing to add to the fun atmosphere and to make me feel like I belong there.
Yay Disney!

 

[artvandelay]

Performance rites can get complicated - A couple of years ago I played Magaldi in Evita. We had the rights to do the show on stage, but when the regional TV station said we could go to their studios to do a feature and get some publicity, it turned out that someone else had the film and broadcast rights and these people refused permission, so we lost a lot of publicity courtesy of some corporate suit.

Another case of rites problems was Mary Poppins for the stage. Disney owns the music, where as Cameron Mackintosh owns the book. It took many years of haggling between these two to get the show produced. It's now a big hit in London and will come to the US in 2006.

Look for Diney Theatricals to produce two new shows in the coming years. Tarzan and Little Mermaid are the likely shows (possibility of Hunchback).