Got Trouble finding River City
May 17, 2012 6:06 PM Subscribe
Is there a simple way to find out if a particular play will be performed near me? I have an itch to see The Music Man on stage and I don't care whether it's a school production, community theater, or further up the chain, I just want to see it.
I have a dim half-memory of the play's publisher limiting the number and proximity of productions -- is that true? Is there a way to access those records to find out who's got a particular play in the works? If not, some other way?
I have a dim half-memory of the play's publisher limiting the number and proximity of productions -- is that true? Is there a way to access those records to find out who's got a particular play in the works? If not, some other way?
No special knowledge here, but I'd recommend setting up a google alert for the play title with the name of your town or the nearest large city. At one newspaper has to write an article about it.
posted by 23 at 6:20 PM on May 17, 2012
posted by 23 at 6:20 PM on May 17, 2012
I have a dim half-memory of the play's publisher limiting the number and proximity of productions -- is that true?
It's definitely true of professional ones; I don't know if school shows or community theater ones would be, though. I don't know if they'd have any kind of online searchable database, but it couldn't hurt to contact the publisher and at least ask how you may start researching this.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 6:22 PM on May 17, 2012
It's definitely true of professional ones; I don't know if school shows or community theater ones would be, though. I don't know if they'd have any kind of online searchable database, but it couldn't hurt to contact the publisher and at least ask how you may start researching this.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 6:22 PM on May 17, 2012
You could always set up a Google alert for "your town" + "The Music Man".
I'd recommend that you set up that Google alert for your state or province (and any other adjoining regions you might be willing to drive to), and the Music Man. You'll be more likely to catch a production if you're willing to take a drive to see it.
posted by orange swan at 6:23 PM on May 17, 2012 [1 favorite]
I'd recommend that you set up that Google alert for your state or province (and any other adjoining regions you might be willing to drive to), and the Music Man. You'll be more likely to catch a production if you're willing to take a drive to see it.
posted by orange swan at 6:23 PM on May 17, 2012 [1 favorite]
I have a dim half-memory of the play's publisher limiting the number and proximity of productions -- is that true?
The proximity part certainly used to be true, at least, even for school productions. My own dim half-memory of this comes from doing musical theatre at a high school within whatever the distance limit was from Broadway. I don't remember the details, because HS was a long time ago, but I do remember they had to check to make sure the shows we wanted to do weren't going to be on B'way at the same time. Or something like that.
Anyway, I was going to say just Google, but the people above who said Google Alert have a much better idea.
posted by DestinationUnknown at 6:33 PM on May 17, 2012
The proximity part certainly used to be true, at least, even for school productions. My own dim half-memory of this comes from doing musical theatre at a high school within whatever the distance limit was from Broadway. I don't remember the details, because HS was a long time ago, but I do remember they had to check to make sure the shows we wanted to do weren't going to be on B'way at the same time. Or something like that.
Anyway, I was going to say just Google, but the people above who said Google Alert have a much better idea.
posted by DestinationUnknown at 6:33 PM on May 17, 2012
Two more options for finding professional productins:
If you are in the United States, the All Cities section of TheaterMania.com might be of use. Alternatively, a search for "music man" in the search bar on the site brings up listings for two productions.
If you are in the UK, The Stage has good listings.
posted by sueinnyc at 6:50 PM on May 17, 2012 [1 favorite]
If you are in the United States, the All Cities section of TheaterMania.com might be of use. Alternatively, a search for "music man" in the search bar on the site brings up listings for two productions.
If you are in the UK, The Stage has good listings.
posted by sueinnyc at 6:50 PM on May 17, 2012 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Here is the MTI website for the show - MTI owns the rights. If you click on the Upcoming tab on the right hand side toward the bottom, it will give you a listing of all of the licensed upcoming productions. (warning: the site also plays music.)
posted by firei at 6:59 PM on May 17, 2012 [6 favorites]
posted by firei at 6:59 PM on May 17, 2012 [6 favorites]
We did this last year with Chess, with mostly the same answers.
posted by Admiral Haddock at 8:05 PM on May 17, 2012
posted by Admiral Haddock at 8:05 PM on May 17, 2012
If you are anywhere near the SF Bay Area you can see it performed as this summer's Mountain Play on Mt. Tamalpais in Marin County. Wonderful venue.
posted by agatha_magatha at 8:21 PM on May 17, 2012
posted by agatha_magatha at 8:21 PM on May 17, 2012
"The proximity part certainly used to be true, at least, even for school productions. My own dim half-memory of this comes from doing musical theatre at a high school within whatever the distance limit was from Broadway. I don't remember the details, because HS was a long time ago, but I do remember they had to check to make sure the shows we wanted to do weren't going to be on B'way at the same time. Or something like that."
Still true for community theatre, at least to a degree.
If you happen to be around the Indianapolis area, Beef and Boards has it running currently. Not sure how much longer, though.
posted by naturalog at 8:53 PM on May 17, 2012
Still true for community theatre, at least to a degree.
If you happen to be around the Indianapolis area, Beef and Boards has it running currently. Not sure how much longer, though.
posted by naturalog at 8:53 PM on May 17, 2012
Contact whoever owns the licensing rights. They should know who's performing (a sanctified version of) the show and where.
posted by feistycakes at 9:00 PM on May 17, 2012
posted by feistycakes at 9:00 PM on May 17, 2012
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posted by showbiz_liz at 6:19 PM on May 17, 2012 [1 favorite]