Bringing a beloved movie musical to the stage often means wanting to include those iconic Movie Songs that audiences adore. For productions like “Grease”, incorporating songs such as “Grease,” “Sandy,” “Hopelessly Devoted to You,” and “You’re the One That I Want” can significantly enhance the audience experience. However, securing the rights to perform these movie songs involves a different process than licensing the standard stage musical. This guide breaks down the complexities of movie song licensing, using “Grease” as a prime example, to help producers and directors navigate these crucial steps.
When licensing a stage musical like “Grease”, it’s typical to start with a licensing house like Samuel French (now Concord Theatricals). They handle the stage performance rights for the original show. However, the rights for movie songs are usually held separately by music publishers, in the case of “Grease” movie songs, Warner/Chapell Music (now Warner Chappell Music). This division of rights is a standard practice in the industry, meaning obtaining permission for movie songs requires an additional layer of licensing.
To legally include movie songs in your “Grease” production, you must directly contact Warner Chappell Music. This involves a separate application process from your standard stage rights license. Typically, the contact information for Warner Chappell is provided within your initial licensing contract from Samuel French, or can be obtained by contacting Samuel French directly. Be prepared to initiate this process well in advance of your production, as securing these rights can take several weeks.
The licensing process for movie songs often involves completing a specific request form. This form will likely ask for details about your production, including the venue’s seating capacity and the number of performances planned. Licensing fees for movie songs are often calculated based on factors like venue size and ticket prices, so providing accurate information is crucial. In the case of “Grease,” licensing costs can be substantial, potentially adding thousands of dollars to your overall production budget. It’s important to factor these additional costs into your financial planning from the outset.
While Samuel French licenses the stage version of “Grease,” they can sometimes assist with sheet music for certain movie songs like “You’re The One That I Want” and “Hopelessly Devoted to You.” However, this often comes at an additional cost. It’s worth inquiring with Samuel French about the availability and cost of these materials to streamline your music preparation process. Keep in mind they generally do not provide sheet music for all movie songs and obtaining a complete set may still require direct engagement with Warner Chappell or third-party sheet music providers.
Many directors and producers choose to include movie songs in stage productions of “Grease” because audience expectations are heavily influenced by the popular film adaptation. Audiences often anticipate hearing these familiar tunes and their inclusion can significantly boost audience satisfaction and potentially ticket sales. While incorporating movie songs adds to the licensing complexity and cost, it can be a worthwhile investment to enhance the overall impact and appeal of your “Grease” production, ensuring a more movie-faithful and enjoyable experience for your audience.
In conclusion, licensing movie songs for stage musicals, especially for a show as iconic as “Grease,” requires careful navigation of separate rights holders. By understanding the distinction between stage rights and movie song rights, and by proactively engaging with music publishers like Warner Chappell, producers can successfully secure the necessary permissions to enrich their productions and meet audience expectations. Planning ahead and budgeting for these additional licensing fees are key components of a successful and legally compliant production.
