Can I perform songs from a Broadway play?

Answer 1

It depends. If you are performing for your friends, or in your school's music class, or at someone's birthday party, it is usually okay to perform songs from any Broadway play. The legal problem arises when you perform in a professional environment-- if you are performing for an audience at a theater or club or other venue, and especially if people have to pay to hear the performance. But even if you are an amateur, as long as you are performing for the general public, you usually need to obtain permission from the publisher(s) of the songs; and arrangements must be made to pay a fee to performing rights groups like ASCAP and BMI. (Amateurs troupes are charged a much lower rate than professional performers are.)

There are exceptions: for example, songs published in 1922 or earlier are often considered "public domain" music, and no performing rights fees are needed. Also, some music schools and universities have an arrangement with ASCAP and BMI where the school/university itself gets a performing rights license and individual students are covered by it -- if you are a student, you may want to ask about that (most schools and universities have an attorney available). The websites of ASCAP and BMI have some further information about when you don't need to pay a fee, and when payment is necessary.