Earlier this month, BWW reported that the new hit off-Broadway production KATDASHIANS! BREAK THE MUSICAL would transfer to the Elektra Theater following its sold out run at Theatre 80. Performances began in the new Times Square location on June 16th running through July 16th.
Now however, according to today's
New York Post, the show was forced to cut any tunes which resemble music from Andrew Lloyd Webber's iconic musical CATS, following legal pressures from Lloyd Webber's legal team. The lawyers claim that the show contains "no less than six songs from CATS" and that "continued willful infringement on our client's rights" would result in a claim for damages.
Lawyers for the Tony Award winner also stated that "It is clear that the production is not a parody of 'Cats' ... Our client's property is being extensively misappropriated ... to parody another subject matter entirely."
"We were pretty shocked," says the show's co-creator Tobly McSmith after the legal threat came down from Webber's attorneys. "We are fans of Webber and his work ... We thought he'd enjoy the parodies we did of his songs, but apparently he did not." McSmith and his creative team have agreed that any "Cats" songs which appear in the show will now be replaced by their own original music.
A representative for Webber's Really Useful Group stated, "We are pleased that the producers of the 'Katdashians' are cooperating in removing copyrighted material from their show," and added, "If you want to hear 'Memory' live this summer, it looks like you'll have to go to Broadway, but it won't be performed by a 'Katdashian,' whatever that is."
A lawyer for McSmith
told the Post: "While we disagree with [Webber's] position, it would be foolish to burden the court, but we are inviting all judges to see the show for free and decide on their own."
The first-ever Broadway revival of Andrew Lloyd Webber's iconic musical, CATS will open on Broadway this summer at the Neil Simon Theatre(250 W 52nd Street) with preview performances beginning Thursday, July 14, 2016, and an official opening set for Sunday, July 31, 2016.
Katdashians! Break The Musical! is the unauthorized parody of the Kardashians. The show was created by Bob and Tobly McSmith, the creators of Full House! The Musical; Bayside! The Saved by the Bell Musical; and Showgirls! The Musical working with Bailey Nolan (BabySkinGlove) and Viva Soudan (Viva Bodyroll).
Images: KATDASHIANS! THE MUSICAL
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