Take It or Leave It, But Don't Try to Change It

When was the last time you rented a car? Did Hertz immediately swap keys for your credit card, no questions asked? I doubt it. Instead, I bet you had to first initial and sign a substantial amount of paperwork.

A lot of that paperwork is intended to protect the rental company and its property. After all, you are being trusted with a vehicle worth tens of thousands of dollars. It only makes sense then that you show proof of insurance and agree to only allow licensed drivers behind the wheel. They need to protect their valuable assets, wouldn't you?

A recent trend in theater is to ignore this fundamental precept. Companies are making substantial and significant changes to the shows they license without the creators' knowledge or permission. However, thanks to the internet, word gets around a lot quicker than it used to.

Over the summer, the Shelton Theater in San Francisco staged Stephen Adly Guirgis's The Last Days of Judas Iscariot. The two hour show was cut to 80 minutes without the consent of the playwright. After a failed attempt at compromise and flexibility proposed by Mr. Guirgis, the show was permanently shut down.

Locally, the PRIMA Theater of Lancaster County was forced to cancel half of its performances of Evita due to irreconcilable difference with the rights holders.

According to the PRIMA website, "In the case of EVITA, our creative decisions in presenting the material created significant concerns with the rights holders of the show".

As the author of this opinion piece, I have not had the opportunity to see the production, nor am I able to cite specific concerns of the rights holders. However, I have been involved with theater long enough to state with confidence that such illegal changes were done deliberately.

Going back to the car rental metaphor, if I rent a red Toyota, I better not paint it blue. It doesn't belong to me. Trying to justify that change by saying "it now looks a lot better since it matches my eyes" will not hold up in court and will generate little sympathy. I probably also shouldn't be surprised when I take the painted car back to the rental company and am subjected to some severe penalties.

Don't feel bad for me. I signed the papers, I promised to the agreement. I knew what I was doing Excuses of me exercising "creativity", "aesthetics" or "risk taking" will hold no bearing. I was in the wrong and I should freely and clearly admit it. Theater companies need do the same.

Article on Last Days of Judas Iscariot events

http://www.artsintegrity.org/judas-iscariot-doesnt-deserve-this-treatment/

Broadway World announce on Evita closing

/central-pa/article/PRiMA-Theatre-Closes-EVITA-Early-Will-Offer-Free-Cabaret-20170913

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