DARK SHADOWS FORUMS

Members' Mausoleum => Calendar Events / Announcements Archive => Calendar Events / Announcements '25 I => Calendar Events / Announcements '08 I => Topic started by: Midnite on February 09, 2008, 08:35:43 PM

Title: A Chorus Line shares its wealth with a DS alum
Post by: Midnite on February 09, 2008, 08:35:43 PM

The LA Times print edition reported a few days ago in "'Chorus Line' amends payouts" that artists who participated in the musical's original interviews and workshops (that led to the creation of "A Chorus Line") will now have a financial stake in the current NY revival as well as major future productions, which includes (the article mentions) Donna McKechnie.

 [snow_wow]

Title: Re: A Chorus Line shares its wealth with a DS alum
Post by: David on February 12, 2008, 01:09:05 AM

I think Donna partly owns the Chorus Line copyright.
She's the widow of Michael Bennett, the show's creator.

David

Title: Re: A Chorus Line shares its wealth with a DS alum
Post by: Midnite on February 12, 2008, 06:43:57 PM

Quote from: David on February 12, 2008, 01:09:05 AM

I think Donna partly owns the Chorus Line copyright.
She's the widow of Michael Bennett, the show's creator.

She's not actually his widow since they divorced.  DM wrote in her biography that he wasn't speaking to her at the time and showed some hostility toward her, and that she essentially signed away her rights in the settlement, which consisted of an apartment, "a nominal monetary settlement and a limited monthly stipend," and a $20,000 insurance payout.

A net search brings up a list of Bennett's heirs:  his brother, his lawyer, a friend, ACL's  set designer, and a foundation for AIDS research.

McKechnie and the others received a proportion of the take from the original production and some royalties (the musical was based on taped sessions with them), but the original agreement was limited to that.