Theater



In addition to representing an all-star roster of creative talent, including Tony award winning composers, lyricists, bookwriters, directors, choreographers, orchestrators and actors, we act as production counsel to some of the world’s most successful stage producers, as well as representing the owners of important films, novels and other underlying properties which often become the bases for musicals and plays. We provide assistance to our producer clients from the moment they seek to acquire underlying rights, through the engagement of the dramatists who will create the play and other key artists. We handle negotiations with co-producers and all aspects of fundraising, including the preparation of offering papers, front money agreements and other investment documents. We also counsel commercial producers in related areas of theatre production, such as sponsorship agreements and cutting-edge co-productions in connection with television events and episodic television programs. In addition to counseling commercial producers, ranging from well-established Broadway producers to first-time independent producers of off-Broadway productions, the firm represents numerous not-for-profit theater companies around the country.

See also:
Copyright | Defamation | Motion Pictures | Music | Performing Arts | Privacy & Publicity Rights | Television


Theater News & Articles:
Aug 25, 2010
Rose Schwartz to Present at ABA Forum in Las Vegas
Firm News
Panel at the Annual Meeting of the ABA Forum on the Entertainment and Sports Industries to discuss capture of live performances.
     
Jun 25, 2010
Clearance Issues For Performing Arts Web Sites
Articles
Websites can include a digital buffet of audio and video content, photos, artwork, biographical sketches, analyses of the works presented -- and more -- that will enhance the online experience, increase consumer awareness and better entice visitors to fill their seats.
     
Dec 14, 2009
Theatrical Producers Seek Best Production Entity
Articles
Should a theatrical producer choose a Limited Liability Company or Limited Partnership?
     
Oct 14, 2009
Matt Lefferts Speaks at NATAS
Firm News
Lecture focuses on controlling distribution of content on the internet.
     
Sep 22, 2009
Elliot Brown Honored by “Broadway Salutes”
Firm News
Times Square ceremony recognizes his decades of experience.
     
Aug 1, 2009
FWRV Maintains Top Ranking in Entertainment Law
Firm News
Chambers USA again names Franklin Weinrib one of New York's four top-ranking media and entertainment firms working in film, music, television and theater
     
Dec 26, 2008
Nonprofit Theaters and Subsidiary Rights
Articles
The claims of nonprofit theaters to a share of revenues from subsequent productions of plays they initially produce is being challenged.
     
Jul 29, 2008
Neil Rosini Discusses Parody Law
Firm News
Fair use seminar is presented to agents’ association
     
Apr 10, 2008
Panelists Discuss Film Rights at Dramatists Guild
Firm News
"Stage to Screen" program includes partners Jonathan Lonner and Neil Rosini
     
Mar 27, 2008
Dan Wasser Lectures at Columbia University Seminar
Firm News
Law & Theater Seminar at Columbia University hears presentation on theatrical financing
     
Jan 15, 2008
Rose Schwartz and Nick Gordon Teach at NYU Law
Firm News
Adjunct professors begin 21st year of entertainment law seminar
     
Jul 24, 2007
FWRV Maintains Top Ranking in Entertainment Law
Firm News
2007 Chambers USA names Franklin Weinrib one of New York's four top-ranking media and entertainment firms working in theater, film, television and music.
     
Jun 22, 2007
Cussler and Crusader Find It Hard to Adapt
Articles
Authors seek to influence the way their books are adapted to the screen with varying results
     
Apr 25, 2007
FWRV Theater Practice Cited in "Legal 500"
Firm News
Attorneys Elliot Brown and Jonathan Lonner Are Named
     
Apr 25, 2007
Attorneys Present Survey of Theater Producing
Firm News
Daniel Wasser and Jonathan Lonner speak at training workshop
     
Oct 27, 2006
Life Story Releases: "Flashdance" & "Chorus Line"
Articles
The importance of "life story" releases in many entertainment transactions makes two disputes, both involving dancers' life stories, worth examining
     
Aug 25, 2006
Steinbeck Case Illustrates Termination Issues
Articles
U.S. copyright law gives authors and their heirs the right to terminate certain grants, but legal and business hurdles demand attention -- as illustrated by a case involving "The Grapes of Wrath" and other works by John Steinbeck
     
Jul 1, 2006
FWRV in Top Rank of Media & Entertainment Firms
Firm News
Chambers USA names Franklin Weinrib one of four top-ranking Media and Entertainment commercial practice firms in New York.
     
Apr 15, 2006
Elliot Brown Addresses Theater Colloquium
Firm News
Lectures on commercial theater production
     
Apr 4, 2006
Rose Schwartz Surveys Theater Law
Firm News
Overview Presented at St. John's Law School
     
Mar 1, 2006
Elliot Brown Joins Columbia Law Panel
Firm News
Relationship of movies and stage plays to be covered
     
Feb 24, 2006
The Role of Most Favored Nations Clauses
Articles
Overview of "Most Favored Nations" Clauses in Entertainment Agreements
     
Feb 23, 2006
FWRV Teams with Stellar Network and NYU Stern
Firm News
3-part lecture series about theater production
     
Jan 1, 2005
Acquiring Music Composition Rights For Stage Plays
Articles
Incorporate pre-existing musical compositions into new stage productions
     
Apr 1, 2004
Children Benefit from New York Performer Act
Articles
The reluctance of entertainment companies to enter into agreements with minors.
     
Dec 1, 2003
Screen to Stage:
Articles
Hollywood Movies Sing on Broadway
     
Jul 25, 2003
Lanham Act Does Not Prevent Unaccredited Copying
Articles
Lanham Act Does Not Prevent Unaccredited Copying of Work in the Public Domain
     
Feb 22, 2002
"Ethics for the Entertainment Lawyer"
Articles
Panel Discusses "Ethics for the Entertainment Lawyer"
     
Jan 1, 2001
A Practical Guide to Theatrical Financing
Articles
International Deals for Plays, Musicals and Other Stage Attractions
     
Dec 30, 1999
At the Millennium
Articles
At the Millennium
     
Sep 1, 1998
A Practical Guide to Theatrical Financing
Articles
"Don't Forget the Checkie! Can't Produce Plays without Checkie!" - Max Bialystock "The Producers" Published Fall, 1998 in the Entertainment and Sports Lawyer, a publication of the American Bar Association
     
Aug 28, 1998
Investor's Claim Denies
Articles
Investor's Claim of Reliance on Oral Statement Denied
     
Jul 24, 1998
"Rent" Decision
Articles
Upholding the "Rent" Decision on Co-Authorship