[musicaltheatrefan]

So, a couple years ago, you would have to wait about 5 years after a shows's closing for it's rights to be released. But, now some shows release their rights (or give them to the library where they are restricted for about 6 months) a year after the show opens. I know that Legally Blonde, which opened on Broadway in April '07, has belonged to MTI since October '07. Also, The Drowsy Chaperone has belonged to MTI since September '07 and that just opened in '06. So, why is this happening. It's a good thing for people like me who live in cities where there are very good regional theatres, but how is this benefiting the producers of these shows. Also, I saw on the Stephen Schwartz forum, and Stephen or Stephen's assistant posted this, that the rights to Wicked will be available through MTI by 2011.

So, why are show's rights being released so early?

[mastachen]

It's simple: $$$

Schwartz isn't rich enough.