Issue Over Two Different "To Kill a Mockingird" Scripts are Forcing Local Theatres to Cancel Upcoming Productions

This Spring, Curtain Call Theatre in Braintree, MA was set to produce To Kill a Mockingbird. However, after auditions were held and rehearsals were set, the theatre was forced to cancel their production due to legal threats they received from lawyers representing Scott Rudin, the lead producer the currently running Broadway show of the same name.

Normally this would be pretty cut and dry, except for the fact that Curtain Call was set to perform an entirely different script licensed by a different company. And that issue is causing problems worldwide and might even end up in a court battle of its own.

Bringing the Barricades to New Jersey

Gas Lamp Players, located in Glen Ridge, New Jersey, is doing something that most youth theatre companies would rather not do- putting on one of the most well-known musicals of all time- Les Misérables. I was able to talk to Broadway Veteran Stephen Buntrock, who played Enjolras, leader of the student revolutionaries, during the Broadway run of the show in 1997-1998 who is co-directing this complicated production alongside Kristy Graves.

New Jersey, Community TheatreChristopher PetersonFebruary 8, 2019Sarah Gordin, Gas Lamp Players

Will MTI Ever Get the Money They're Owed from Theaterpalooza?

Community TheatreChristopher PetersonJanuary 16, 2019Chris Peterson, Theaterpalooza, Teresa Walker

RI Theatre Tight Lipped on Sexual Harassment Investigation, Yet Artistic Director Resigns

Despite promises of maintaining transparency, the findings from an investigation of two claims of sexual harassment at the Colonial Theatre will not be made public.

"The Laramie Project" is Personal for CT Director

This year, The Laramie Project is sure to be one of the most produced plays across the country. In fact, usually is regardless of what year it is. But for one director in CT, the play is all the more personal. Because while much of the world knows Matthew through this play and his story, Shannon-Courtney Denihan got to know him while they were friends in college.

Connecticut, Community TheatreChristopher PetersonOctober 11, 2018Chris Peterson

MTI Sues Children's Theatre Group Over Unpaid Licensing Fees

Over the past couple of years, Theaterpalooza Community Theater Productions, Inc. has been producing shows such as Matilda, Seussical, Little Shop of Horrors, and Honk!

The only problem is, the Virginia theatre company apparently, hasn't been paying licensing fees to do so. And now, Music Theatre International (MTI) has come to collect.

Community Theatre, VirginiaChristopher PetersonJuly 17, 2018Chris Peterson

Why Exactly was Patrick Dorow Fired from Patrick Dorow Productions?

Last month, it was announced that Patrick Dorow, the Founder and Artistic Director of Patrick Dorow Productions(PDP), had been unanimously fired from his position. While it's not uncommon that theatre leaders are fired, it's rare that the namesake of the organization is the one getting the boot. It's also even more rare that the company keeps their name on the marquee afterward.

But that's exactly what's happening in Portsmouth, NH at PDP. And the mystery swirling around its founder's departure has some in the community asking if more information should be provided.

Community Theatre, New HampshireChristopher PetersonJuly 16, 2018Chris Peterson

Subscribe