I was supposed to be in a producition of Chicago early this summer. We were able to obtain the rights, only be told a few weeks later that all contracts have being made void and the show is currently restricted. I find it odd that they decide now of all times to make the show restricted. Thoughts?

The company here that did Rent last summer is scheduled to do Chicago this summer. I've been with the director quite a bit this week and he still talks like he is for sure planning on doing this show, and he wouldn't talk like that if he'd been told he didn't have the rights. Perhaps I'm naive, but I don't think a company can legally void a contract like that. At the same time, I do see on Samuel French's site that Chicago is listed as "Restricted", so I'm curious to see what (if anything) happens between now and auditions.

Unfortunately, the rights can be pulled. I have been in a situation where a show had been auditioned and cast when the rights were pulled due to the announcement of a professional tour of the same show. It may depend however on the dates of your production and your proximity to the 'overriding' production.

That can happen, yes. But that's not what it sounded like the OP was describing. The way I read that post was that all productions everywhere had lost their contract, which would mean it didn't have to do with a nearby "overriding" production.

That's what my director had sent to all of us. I'm taking it as all productions lost their contract. We are 2 1/2 hours from NYC, but other theaters and a high school had been able to do the show in the past 3 years.

Just curious what the latest is on this. Our local community theater opens CHICAGO next week. We've not heard a word about losing the rights so assume it's not a sweeping, nation/world-wide ban.

Does anyone have a synopsis of scenes for Chicago?

I am waiting for my perusal script and am eager to start thinking about the show (it's all about the visuals!)



Thank you !!

I don't have one, sorry!

And the group here is still scheduled to do it. I was actually asked if I'd be interested in working backstage, so I'd say the show is definitely still on. Auditions are May 7.

My director recently got an email saying that we can do the production again. So I really don't know what was up with restricting it for about a few weeks.