Music Theatre International

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Musical Theatre International, often abbreviated MTI, is a theatrical licensing agency based in New York City. The League of American Theatres and Producers calls MTI "A leader in the theatrical licensing industry."^[1]

[edit] Description

MTI is described as "One of the world’s leading dramatic licensing agencies, protecting the rights and legacy of composers, lyricists and book writers."^[2] It licenses over 15,000 productions each year in the United States and Canada and has licensed productions in over sixty other countries. It licenses shows for professional productions as well as amateur productions in schools and community theaters, and supplies scripts, musical materials, and other theatrical resources.

The company also focuses on the preparation and licensing of "Junior" musicals: shortened versions of popular musicals simplified, and with appropriate language for younger performers, allowing the elimination of smoking, drinking and other concepts and activities inappropriate for young performers.^[3] Its most popular musical is currently a stage adaptation of the Disney Channel mega-hit High School Musical. The sequel to that film, High School Musical 2, will be available for adaptation in 2008 as well.

The company was founded in 1952 by American composer and lyricist Frank Loesser^[4]. Along with the licensing rights to Loesser's works, the company also holds production rights to numerous Broadway, Off-Broadway, and West End musicals, including all of Stephen Sondheim's shows. Many of the longest running musicals in Broadway history are now licensed by MTI including Les Misérables, Beauty and the Beast and Fiddler on the Roof.^[5] Others include, to name a few, Annie, The Fantasticks, Godspell, Guys and Dolls, How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying, Legally Blonde, Jekyll and Hyde, Little Shop of Horrors, Miss Saigon, The Music Man, Pajama Game, Sweeney Todd (musical), and West Side Story.^[6]