TOD:
Having written what might be described as a "jukebox musical" (i.e.
JOLSON), it's my thinking that you can't just depend on the artist's popular book of songs to make it successful. You also need to tell a dramatic story, rather that a just "and then I wrote (or sang)" approach.
JERSEY BOYS, for example, had a good strong story, which is why it was such a big hit. The familiar songs might be the draw to get folks into the theater, but the book is what will make the show last.
You also have to license the songs associated with the artist(s) the show is about. Most of the
Al Jolson songs were in the public domain, and getting rights to the others was fairly easy. I send the publishers royalty checks after every production.
On the other hand, ten years later, after a successful staged reading in NY, my
Maurice Chevalier play got stuck in limbo because the song licensing process became a mess. It's still doable, but some producer will have to deal with the music publishers. I no longer have the patience and the energy.
My most recent "jukebox musical,"
Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy, is simply looking for a producer and two performers who can do the roles. No music licensing issues here. All of the songs are in the public domain.
