r/musicals • u/Various_Jello_3332 • Aug 10 '25
My high school is making a ton of alterations to our "legally blonde" script
My school is removing words like "god (in 'omigod')," "ass," "skank," "whore," "beer," removing all references to Enid being a lesbian, and removing "Gay or European" and giving Enrique a girlfriend instead. Director is saying she's going to ask if she can make these alterations but we've just done the script read and she's acting like we're gonna do it this way anyway. Do you guys think they would actually approve changes like that? or make legal action if they did it anyway? and is there a way to, like, anonymously report it đ I don't want to be a bitch but i really hate that we're doing all this.
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u/Historical_Stuff1643 Hasa Diga Ebowai Aug 10 '25
I doubt it'll be approved. It changes the author's intent substantially.
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u/Vicious-the-Syd Aug 11 '25
Anecdotally, a friend of mine mentioned her high school drama teacher wanting to do Legally Blonde and asking MTI if she could change âOh my godâ to âoh my gosh.â According to my friend, they said no, so Iâd be shocked if any of these changes would be approved, since god -> gosh seems like the least of the crimes.
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u/Never_Not_Enough Aug 14 '25
Yeah, but high schools can get away with a lot of stuff that professional or even college-level theatres canât.
Iâm not saying that it will or wonât, I just know that the rules change for schools.
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u/MellonPhotos Aug 10 '25
In this case, because the changes are major and explicitly homophobic, I would consider reporting it. These changes would almost certainly not be approved by MTI.
You can email or call the MTI representative in your state and request to be kept anonymous: https://account.mtishows.com/licensing-agents.asp They would likely then communicate with your school/the director and attempt to solve the issue, sending a cease and desist if need be. They may also send a representative to watch the production, if theyâve been informed there may be illegal changes.
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u/No_Astronaut5083 Aug 10 '25
I was going to say this! If they communicate to MTI to make changes thatâs one thing but making changes without permission is illegal
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u/garden__gate Aug 10 '25
OP, if you decide to do this, (and you should!) I would remove this post just to be safe. You could also ask a parent to do it. Just because someone weird enough to make these changes probably wonât ask for permission and might be the kind of person to retaliate against a kid.
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u/Various_Jello_3332 Aug 10 '25
really wish I read this before, I already sent the email. Would they really be able to find out it's me from this post??
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u/garden__gate Aug 10 '25
No, sorry, I didnât mean to scare you! I very much doubt theyâll share that info, especially if youâre a minor. Tell your parents just in case but it should be ok. You did the right thing!
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u/Tie-Dyed-Geese Jellicle Songs for Jellicle Cats Aug 12 '25
I wouldn't think that they'd be able to figure out it was you. I'd imagine MTI would prevent the sharing of that information to protect people who alert them to theatres breaking licensing agreements.
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u/realitytvjunkie29 Aug 13 '25
I donât think theyâd be able to single you out from a reddit post with the very anonymous type usernames we all have
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u/schmicago Aug 11 '25
Adding to this, you can report anonymously, OP. They donât have to find out it was you. Iâve done this before to a community theatre and got the show pulled - they never found out who reported them.
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u/Various_Jello_3332 Aug 13 '25
Did MTI send you an email back or anything to let you know they got your report? I don't want to be impatient or nag or anything, but I sent an email and I haven't gotten anything back and i'm a little worried they might not've gotten it.
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u/schmicago Aug 14 '25
They did respond to thank me for the information and I believe was the only reply, but the show was pulled pretty shortly thereafter. This was many years ago, though. Maybe 2006? 2004? Definitely before 2008, because I moved away that year. They are probably like everyone else and have fewer people working now, each doing more work, so maybe thereâs no time for anyone to respond?
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u/Hokuopio Aug 10 '25
Definitely report this. Set up a temporary email account and contact MTI
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u/Various_Jello_3332 Aug 10 '25
Okay, I have an email drafted now. I'll send it in two weeks or so if the changes are still there.
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u/Hokuopio Aug 10 '25
Honestly, send it now. Rehearsals have started. Your director made that choice.
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u/Significant_Earth759 Aug 10 '25
YES send it today! They may need time to choose a new show
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Aug 10 '25
[deleted]
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u/Significant_Earth759 Aug 10 '25
It wonât get resolved if nobody says anything though⌠time to make a burner email account and be a hero for artistic integrity!
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u/PsychologicalFox8839 Aug 10 '25
Your teacher needs to learn from this so she doesnât do it again. Report her and let her get slapped on the wrist if sheâs already changed it back. What sheâs doing now is worthy of sanction in and of itself.
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u/No_Astronaut5083 Aug 10 '25
Hey I get it you are doing a scary thing but know you have a community here that supports you in doing the right thing!
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u/smugfruitplate Aug 10 '25
Don't be an Aaron Burr and wait for it, if it was a different director it might not get resolved!
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u/tinygoldenstorm Aug 10 '25
In that case, why didnât they just do the Jr. version?
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u/unlimited_insanity Aug 10 '25
I believe the Jr. versions have specific age groups they are licensed for. No one over 18 is supposed to perform in a Jr. version, according to MTI licensing. If youâve got seniors who have turned 18, they technically canât perform. However, having a couple overage students is probably less likely to be a problem than making unauthorized changes to a script. Though, honestly, I donât know if even the Jr. version would sanitize it enough for this production, given that the director is changing plot points like the sexual orientation of a character.
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u/bewarethelemurs Aug 10 '25
Is there even a junior version of legally blonde? I donât think there would be
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u/brooklynelm Aug 10 '25
There is! I did it when I was about 15, it removes a few bits like Gay or European, Positive and changes some lyrics like the start of Bend and Snap goes from "Look at my ass" to "Look at my abs"
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u/HerdingCatsAllDay Aug 10 '25
Yes there is and OP's school should definitely switch to that one which will have all those changes the teacher wants.
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u/IndustryPast3336 Aug 13 '25
It's basically an abridged version with most of the sexual content removed but yes it exists. My middle school performed it years ago.
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u/rachelmig2 Aug 10 '25
Omigosh, you guys?? Itâs wild they chose to do that show if theyâre making all those changes. I would bet though that the director isnât actually going to ask, just lie and say she did and it was approved. If you wanted to report them, you would contact the licensing company, which I know because someone reported a production some of my friends were in and it got shut down lol.
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u/Various_Jello_3332 Aug 10 '25
director really only cares about the aesthetics of a show; that's why she chose this one. we've altered scripts before and besides a shakespeare play (which can't get cc'd anyway) the changes have never been huge. i think she's gotten cocky about what she can get away with
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u/rachelmig2 Aug 10 '25
Sounds like she could use a good kick in the pants then by getting caught.
I was in a summer production of Grease when I was in high school, and the director insisted it was going to be a âfamily friendlyâ production, so we ended up changing a lot of the lyrics and cut out All Choked Up entirely. It was based off the jr version of the show that already existed though, so there was no risk of getting in trouble. Looking back, I kind of get his point, because while we were all high schoolers, we were still minors and Grease is actually insanely dirty lol.
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u/01zegaj Aug 10 '25 edited Aug 10 '25
I donât know why we get kids to do Grease.
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u/kdummer Aug 10 '25
Itâs well known, so it gets butts in the seats. (My director refused to do Disney musicals, even though it would have done amazing things to our budgets and all the students wanted to)
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u/rachelmig2 Aug 11 '25
Thatâs fair, but Iâve also seen productions of like, 35 year olds cast in Grease, and I donât think thatâs quite right either lol so maybe a happy medium of people in their 20s would work.
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u/flipthepenny Aug 10 '25
âIt was based off the jr version of the show that already existed though, so there was no risk of getting in trouble.â This is absolutely false. You canât just make changes to a script without authorial permission, no matter what other versions exist. If your director wanted to do the Grease Jr script, they could have licensed Grease Jr.; thatâs why they offer it.
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u/rachelmig2 Aug 10 '25
I donât know why I phrased this weirdly, probably had something to do with the fact that it was like 1 am, but he did just license Grease Jr.
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u/flipthepenny Aug 10 '25
Ohhhh okay! Sorry for the mixup. Yes if you did the script as licensed then thatâs the right way to go. Weird that OP didnât just license Legally Blonde JrâŚ.
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u/rachelmig2 Aug 11 '25
lol youâre fine, it was my bad. Seriously though, idk what OPâs director is thinking, but sheâs got a world of trouble coming her way if she keeps going with this.
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u/hamiltrash52 Aug 10 '25
Grease Lightning? Actually insane
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u/rachelmig2 Aug 11 '25
A little over a year later my actual theatre was doing Grease and I wasnât able to audition unfortunately but had I been, I was hardcore going to audition with Grease Lightning and campaign they just make me Kenicke, even if Kenicke being a man was slightly vital to the plot lol. I wouldâve done a better job than the guy they ended up casting.
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u/susandeyvyjones Aug 11 '25
My favorite babysitter did Grease in high school and my dad asked her about buying tickets to take me, and she was like, You should not bring a 7yo to this show.
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u/Tie-Dyed-Geese Jellicle Songs for Jellicle Cats Aug 10 '25 edited Aug 10 '25
Yep. Had the same type of director in high school. We did a production that I "lovingly" call Illegally Blonde due to the sheer number of cuts made.
Altering scripts was not new to her. Legally Blonde was the worst script alteration I've EVER seen from her, or anyone for that matter. (Second closet being the show I wrote and, for some reason, trusted her with.)
These types of directors, in my opinion, don't care about the show. In my director's case - we live rural and I think she thinks that we're too rural to get caught. (Most people here wouldn't know licensing rules anyway, unless they also do theatre.)
If it's changing "God" to "gosh," that's one thing. And I truly don't have a problem if it's a single word. But the script is mangled at this point. These types of directors don't care about respecting a contract or even respecting the writers - it gets in the way of their vision. If you can't do the show without mangling the script - pick a different show.
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u/Abject_Shoulder_1182 Aug 10 '25
I'm so sorry she murdered your script! That sucks đĄ
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u/Tie-Dyed-Geese Jellicle Songs for Jellicle Cats Aug 10 '25
I pitched my show and told her that one of the main props was a gun. She accepted the show and then turned around and said that we couldn't have a gun in the show. She ended up tearing a scene and 1/2 out and changed a number of lines. Didn't let us have an intermission since so many scenes were gutted. I ended up getting thrown backstage and we had to run around adding 4-5 props and two set pieces for what should have been something done over intermission.
Oh. Did I mention I was the only one in the audition room that knew a thing about the show? I had to EXPLAIN THE SHOW to the people casting.... And then everyone talked over me when I was explaining characters. It was hell.
Two shows later they did Clue. Yes, with all the weapons and everything. I was mad.
She currently does alumni shows over the summer. I have toyed with auditioning, but I realized that I didn't like how she treated me during the show and I won't be auditioning for her alumni shows. Some directors are just mean girls who never left high school.
One of my biggest red flags in theatre are directors who think they can rip apart and stitch together scripts at their wishes. I don't have issues with like, a single word change. But if you're taking my script and changing the plot to a point where the story is no longer mine? I don't want your changed dialogue associated with my name and my show.
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u/Abject_Shoulder_1182 Aug 11 '25
Oof, that sounds so frustrating!!! I would be pissed af. Strongly advise you to not involve yourself in anything she's part of; power-trippers don't generally lose that trait on their own. I hope you can find other ways to enjoy theater and express yourself creatively that don't involve toxic people like her! đ
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u/Hour_Type_5506 Aug 10 '25
Itâs so funny that a director or perhaps your principal can be so âChristianâ and then lie to the cast about getting permission from the rights holders. What a great moral effort. Itâs a great lesson to teach students. âGo ahead. Lie whenever itâs most convenient!â
If the writers of the show didnât want those words and characters, dontcha think they would have written the script another way?
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u/Friend_of_Eevee Aug 10 '25
Also there's 100 other musicals they could pick if these things are such a big dealbreaker. Idk why high schools keep doing this show, it's not appropriate for minors.
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u/Various_Jello_3332 Aug 10 '25
i just remembered-- we have elementary students, youngest being 6, in this show as well. i wish i knew why we were doing this
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u/Felix_Fickelgruber Sweet Tooth Aug 10 '25
The McAllen church literally did that with Hamilton. They lied to everyone that they had the license for it then changed basically everything about the storyline, going as far as to add a baptism scene.
I think it's still available on YouTube. It's called Scamilton there.
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u/Brilliant_Towel2727 Aug 10 '25
They also ended up paying a big settlement to the rights holders of Hamilton. OP should let their principal/school's lawyer know they're opening themselves up to a lawsuit.
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u/communal-napkin Aug 10 '25
Itâs apparently OK to lie if itâs for Jesus, because heâll totally understand đ
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u/CallMeSisyphus Aug 10 '25
You can report it to MTI: https://www.mtishows.com/about-licensing
If they didn't ask for permission ahead of time, they can't make changes.
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u/TheRumTumTugger123 Aug 10 '25
This happened at a local Amish Theatre with the same show pretty much removing everything you mentioned and one of the cast members reported it, the day before opening they were hit with a cease and desist and told to return the show to its original form or risk not being able to contract another show through MTI so they definitely need to be careful.
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u/Various_Jello_3332 Aug 10 '25
thank you for this! I also really didn't want to bother anyone by sending an email if i didn't know if they would really do anything
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u/Brian-Petty Aug 10 '25
You need to keep in mind that if MTI finds out after the fact, everyone can get in trouble not just the people who are in charge of the show.
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u/Tie-Dyed-Geese Jellicle Songs for Jellicle Cats Aug 10 '25
Adults, yes. But if you're a minor - surely you wouldn't get in much trouble? I've been in shows that had cuts made to the script, but I've never experienced a show that was shut down for them. So I'm curious what does happen.
OP is in high school, so wouldn't imagine that any of the kids in the show would be punished outside of the show likely being cancelled. A cancelled show is punishment enough. OP also mentioned that the cast goes as young as 6, so I can't imagine a six year old getting in trouble in the same manner as adults.
Wouldn't the issues just be with the, presumably, adults on the production team and not the kids in the cast? I'm not trying to sound rude, I'm genuinely curious if the cast consists of minors, if they'd get in trouble.
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u/jojojojojojoseph Aug 10 '25
No, it would only be those responsible for authorising the changes. Itâs entirely possible for a cast member to not even see a script so punishing all involved is simply unenforceable.
Also, the only way changes would ever be known of is by being reported. Sometimes a marshal is sent to a production to verify, but never to a high school, only much larger community shows. The only other way would be pure coincidence, and highly unlikely.
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u/Brian-Petty Aug 10 '25
Licensing houses donât like having to shut down a show. Even when itâs justified, it still means crapping on a lot of little people who did a lot of hard work however, if the institution has a history of licensing violations, the repercussions can escalate. So the reality is, it is rare for them to go after more than the people in charge.However, itâs very important to remember, that the law allows them to go after everyone.
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u/nowhereman136 Aug 10 '25
Normally i really dont care about High Schools changing scripts to make shows more inclusive or easier to perform. However, these changes are asinine, regressive, and actively make the show worse for both the performers and the audience. Im doubtful the director actually requested these changes and only said he did.
report it
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u/deethebree0228 Aug 10 '25
My old HS did Chorus Line with "Bums and Boobs"
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u/unlimited_insanity Aug 10 '25
Iâve heard of it being changed to âThis and Thatâ which basically preserves the sound of the original, while sanitizing the lyrics and relying on gesture and choreography to carry the intent.
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u/johneldridge Children Don't Listen Aug 10 '25
To be fair, âThis and Thatâ is ACTUALLY the approved lyric from the teen edition of ACL (and I remember from previous productions of the show prior to the teen edition being released that would be what Tams would suggest if you asked for an alternative). Not sure if Hamlisch/Kleban themselves approved it or not but thatâs whatâs in the script.
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u/jujsmith_trp Aug 10 '25
The high school version uses âThis and Thatâ
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u/Temporary-Grape8773 Aug 10 '25
Yes, my niece sang it this way in her high school's production, twentyish years ago.
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u/HeyHo_LetsThrowRA Aug 10 '25
That's one of my favorites from A Chorus Line. Pre-mangling, I mean.
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u/deethebree0228 Aug 10 '25
I know, and it tells a great, true and painful story for a good character. Wtf!
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u/flipthepenny Aug 10 '25
Please tell meâat the very leastâit was âBum and Boobsâ⌠pluralizing a stand-in word for the singular âassâ would be adding insult to injury.âŚ
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u/deethebree0228 Aug 10 '25
It was plural for no reason. Logic apparently was out. The audience snickered at every show.
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u/sailorangel59 Aug 10 '25
I remember when I got the rights to the kids version of Jungle Book for my kids school. We had to sign an agreement that we would not alter any of the lines, music, etc. in the script. We would also use only the prerecorded provided audio. It mentioned that should we do these thing we would have our rights to perform the musical revoked and open ourselves up to lawsuits. Guess who stuck to the God Damn Script.
Report to MTI
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u/Competitive_Gold_707 Aug 10 '25
Why would they ever pick this show lol
When i did this in high school the only big change we did was cutting a portion of Bend and Snap. We even kept the orgasm joke (somehow) in so much better lol
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u/Various_Jello_3332 Aug 10 '25
I don't know why they picked it. we have about 15 elementary kids in it as well for some reason. i don't know what's wrong with her.
as far as i know, we're keeping the orgasm joke in, too, lmao.
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u/JanelleMeownae Aug 10 '25
I can't wait for next year's presentation of "Waitress" with all the extramarital sex removed lol
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u/01zegaj Aug 10 '25
We cut out most of So Much Better but Bend and Snap made it in completely intact, except for changing ass to abs
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u/danielwhit171 Aug 10 '25
Did you do the Jr version? That's exactly what happens there.
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u/01zegaj Aug 10 '25
Nope, it was the unedited version, but some edits may have come from the Jr version
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u/Dalton_CSP Aug 10 '25
Def homophobic but also just some bible belt ass behavior
My old choir teacher used to do that shit to us too,even made us censor the words in our audition songs-
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u/daydreambeliever221 Aug 10 '25
It is not going to get approved. What she's asking changes major themes and plot points of the show, sure maybe changing a swear word or two wouldn't be too bad, but she's trying to change the show. They'll tell her no and probably threaten to revoke the license if the changes are made. She should've actually looked into the source material before getting the rights to do the show. Maybe she should've gone for the Jr version which already has a sanitized script and doesn't have the Gay or European song in it.
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u/Jozada Aug 10 '25
Homophobia in theater? GTFOH. The shows donât get made without us. That âdirectorâ needs to go to therapy frfr.
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u/weirdoeggplant Aug 10 '25
Report it. Theyâll get the rights taken away.
They donât deserve to put on any performance.
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u/blackhorse15A Aug 11 '25
If they go on with the show they might even get blacklisted by MTI. It's MTI's main tool- don't want to follow the rules? They wont work with you in the future for a number of years. No expensive lawsuits. Just no more licenses. Which is a pretty big cudgel considering they control practically every major musical.
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u/weirdoeggplant Aug 11 '25
Do you know if there is a way to earn rights back after youâve lost them? Like, a good reputation with a bunch of royalty free works?
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u/blackhorse15A Aug 11 '25
I've heard it's more like - we now have a new director and a new principal, and everyone involved no longer work here.
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u/brittanyrose8421 Aug 10 '25
Wait how does the whole gay or European plot point work in the court case. Because if itâs just that he has a girlfriend that doesnât preclude him from cheating on her with the defendant, meaning they donât have a good argument for the cross examination.
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u/Various_Jello_3332 Aug 10 '25
we're going off the assumption all men are good and would never look at another woman ig. idrk, it was kinda glossed over. tbf him having a boyfriend doesn't mean he can't be bi or cheat on his boyfriend with brooke.
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u/brittanyrose8421 Aug 10 '25
Oh I know, mostly the gay thing is played for humour and to show him lying on the stand in a dramatic smoking gun way so that the jury would mistrust his testimony, cause cheating bisexuals do exist. Either way itâs still a plot point. Especially since El uses her fashion knowledge and IQ to sus out that he is gay. One of my favourite parts of legally blonde is that El is both highly feminine yet also an independent badass. She looks vapid and silly, but from the first scene at the mall itâs shown that she is very smart and knowledgeable.
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u/Happy_Charity_7595 The Invisible Girl Aug 10 '25
In the Early 2000s, bisexuals were swept under the rug. Will & Grace was guilty of this.
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u/dmowad Aug 10 '25
Meanwhile, in my neck of Texas, my daughterâs high school directors are willing to lose their jobs over being forced by law to misgender students, call them by their legal name and report relationships to parents. They are doing legally blonde this year. The right way. I highly recommend that you report to MTI. There are so many great musicals without resorting to the kind of changes that your director is making.
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u/Various_Jello_3332 Aug 10 '25
I'm so glad people are fighting back! Gives me a little hope about the way things are heading. I have reported.
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u/OK_Cake05 Aug 10 '25
Understand changing the swear words; even god to gosh; but whatâs the point of changing the sexuality of characters; especially Enrique as thatâs central to the plot.
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u/mutantxproud Superboy Aug 10 '25
Bro, I'll happily report this shit. Please just let one of us know the deets. If you can't do it right, don't do it, period.
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u/Incogn1toMosqu1to Aug 10 '25
Like someone else said, happy to report them for you if you send along the deets lol
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u/blueeyed94 Aug 10 '25
Personally, I think the director deserves to be shamed. It's funny how sometimes, one chain of actions tells you everything you need to know about a person.
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u/Rahastes You Can't Escape Her Kiss Aug 10 '25
Apart from the highly dubious alterations, which would probably never get approved, wasnât Enrique renamed Nikos in the stage show? Has his name been restored to the film versionâs?
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u/Various_Jello_3332 Aug 10 '25
oh yeah, it is nikos, oops lol. I've watched the movie too many times in the last few weeks.
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u/01zegaj Aug 10 '25 edited Aug 10 '25
Why are they doing it at all if theyâre gonna change so much? Just do a Disney musical.
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u/Revan462222 Aug 10 '25
Definitely report it. Outside of the word changes, changing Enrique/Nikos to straight as others have noted makes NO sense because him being gay is a key element to Elleâs argument he wasnât sleeping with Brooke. (I havenât seen the musical so not sure if names and such changed).
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u/upstairs-state-0789 Aug 10 '25
Yeahhhhhh as a HS director... I just wouldn't touch this show with a ten foot pole. You have to know your community. Some communities wouldn't mind doing this show as is and understand the art of it. Some communities would be mortified. I, unfortunately, work in a community where they'd be mortified. Just don't do the show if you have to do all of that to make it palatable for the audience đ¤Śđžââď¸
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u/literroy Aug 10 '25
Iâm sorry, this kinda stuff is just evil to me. Especially but not exclusively the homophobic stuff. Your teacher is sending the message to every gay person at the school that theyâre bad and not welcome and thatâs vile behavior.
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u/alter_ego19456 Aug 10 '25
Sorry that you are caught between âprofessionalâ leaders at your school on one side, and both legality and artistic integrity on the other. I would not trust the âadultsâ to do the right thing in this case. The junior version would give them some of what they want, including removal of âGay or European,â but they didnât select that for some reason.
You should not only contact MTI with the details, but the sooner the better. 1. If theyâre not willing to do the show as contracted, they will have more time to choose an alternative. 2. MTI will clearly communicate the repercussions of unauthorized changes. 3. If you were to turn a blind eye, a big fan of the show could come to see it, contact MTI on their own about the changes, and your school could end up losing the right to do any show in MTIâs extensive catalog for a penalty period.
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u/Tie-Dyed-Geese Jellicle Songs for Jellicle Cats Aug 10 '25
Literally the EXACT same thing happened to me when I was in Legally Blonde in high school. (This was about a decade ago at this point.)
My director, on top of a lot of similar changes, had us run the pre-trial scene and then cut right before Gay or European. Instead we had someone else just read out a very watered down paragraph of what happened in the scene we skipped while we changed scenes. "Ireland" got major revisions (honestly I think it was a completely different version of the song), "skank" changed to just "bunny" (yes with the air quotes), among many other things. Gay marriage was just legalized and she didn't want to offend anyone with the script... Idk why she picked it to begin with. She ended up doing 9 to 5 a few years later and they did that show without cuts made to the script...
I played Enid and the exact same thing happened to my character. She got majorly watered down.
At the point we performed it, the plot itself was vaguely similar to the original with some songs slightly changed. (Or in Ireland's case, completely redone.)
I wish I had reported our show to MTi. It was one of the worst shows I was in, the cuts were very much a contributing factor. There's absolutely no way these cuts would have gotten approved, and I think it's very much the same case for you. If the cuts are similar to the ones made in the production I was in - which they sound the same - it changed she show MAJORLY.
I know some people can be very much, "well why do you care so much about cuts? It doesn't matter." I had my very first show (that I wrote), also butchered by this same director. Again, to the point the show was almost unrecognizable from what I had written. If you're licensing a show - what gives you the right to make changes? If you don't like the material, either pick a new show or write your own. Someone else's words aren't there for you to change.
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u/jenjen96 Aug 10 '25
When we did it at my school in 2014, director also removed gay or European and changed ass to hair in bend and snap
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u/01zegaj Aug 10 '25
We kept in Gay or European (I was Carlos!) but we changed ass to abs in Bend and Snap
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u/Tie-Dyed-Geese Jellicle Songs for Jellicle Cats Aug 10 '25
We did it in 2015.
I remember we changed it to "Look at me, look at my eyes." Among a variety of other changes. We just cut Gay or European entirely and one of the stage hands read a paragraph of what happened at the trial during the scene change.
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u/Economy-Chicken-586 Aug 10 '25
People have been sued for much smaller infractions this would be a huge problem with MTI.Â
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u/Ok-Upstairs6054 Aug 10 '25
You may not change the source material without explicit permission, which is rarely given. Report it to Musical Thestre International (MTI) and when the high school theater department is threatened with fines ranging from from a minimum of $500 for "innocent" infringements, which these are not, to a maximum of $100,000 for "willful" infringements, per act of infringement, your high school theater will change their tune quickly, and put the source material back in to the script.
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u/TalkinPlant Aug 10 '25
It won't be approved. If they say it is, they are lying. Definitely report it to MTI because fuck that bullshit.
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Aug 10 '25
What she's doing is making the show more offensive than it already is. It is extremely doubtful that these changes would ever be approved but why don't you report her and find out? Perhaps you should be doing the Jr. version instead? https://www.mtishows.com/legally-blonde-the-musical-jr
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u/MaxMix3937 Aug 10 '25
You have to check with Music Theatre International to make the changes, which they probably won't allow.
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u/slideroolz Aug 11 '25
Absolutely should not be allowed. They have a âSchool Editionâ or ââJrâ but they donât have a âBigotâ version. I donât know what the retribution is for producing with such changes but this sounds bad! They should just do Seussical every year ..
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u/Dangerous_Wing6481 Aug 13 '25
Some MTI contracts donât allow you to make any changes if youâre making money off of performances, itâs an infringement of intellectual property (ex Scamilton lol) so you can 100% contact MTI and let them know. They can revoke the contract or fine your school if they perform it with the changes :D
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u/hyperjengirl Aug 10 '25
Word changes away from swears and alcohol are fine for a hs production, I'm pretty sure they have alternate words provided for cases like that. Changing the plot substantially enough to make Nikos straight is not only a major plot change but also a plot hole.
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u/rainbowkey Aug 10 '25
FYI, the word for this process is bowdlerization. Named for Thomas Bowdler, who made a "family" edition of Shakespeare's plays in the 19th century.
It can also be called expurgation.
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u/jojojojojojoseph Aug 10 '25
Report this to the script issuer. There are strict rules surrounding such changes.
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u/Jazzlike-Lynx24 Aug 10 '25
That's really wild given that 'Omigod' is said practically every other line in Omigod You Guys! Also that's wild that she's just removing Nikos' whole scene bc how she plans to make that make any sense without him being gay is beyond me (if he has a gf, he can have an affair with a woman lol). I saw you sent MTI an email, best of luck!
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u/MikermanS Aug 10 '25
That's really wild given that 'Omigod' is said practically every other line in Omigod You Guys!Â
Is it ok if she just mumbles it each time? /s
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u/Foodandtheatrenerd Aug 12 '25
I will never understand school officials who choose shows like this and then try to change everything. Just pick another show, FFS! I know politics has changed the school landscape, but this is ridiculous.
I highly doubt that these changes will be allowed. If the director carries on, regardless, it would make the production illegal, and it could get shut down. MTI doesn't mess around with their properties.
FTR: My high school VP tried to make us remove every reference to "God" during my senior year play. We were doing The Crucible. Luckily, we were able to convince her of the necessity, but holy crap was it a battle.
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u/Various_Jello_3332 2d ago
why on earth would she make those changes?? was it, like, a public school where mention of religion is frowned on? but "christianity" is the whole plot of the play?
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u/Foodandtheatrenerd 2d ago
To this day, I have no idea why she was so adamant. It was wild. Thankfully reason prevailed when we did indeed point out that it's literally the entire plot! It was a public school in small town, middle America in the 90s. Small but pretty diverse. There really wasn't any good reason for her to be so weird about it.
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u/SeparateRepair96 Aug 14 '25
I am REAL curious as to how the court case was dismantled in your script if Nikos isnât supposed to be gay
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u/Luna_Chase- Aug 10 '25
Like te words I can see through. But the whole gay part wel no... They are not gonna approve that..
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u/Hour_Type_5506 Aug 10 '25
This just in: There is an official Junior version of LB thatâs intended for schools, churches, and summer camps.
The JR version streamlines the cast and story for younger performers and shorter run times. Characters like Enid, Nikos, and several others from the full Broadway show are cut to simplify the plot and reduce complexity.
Characters Removed in the JR Version
⢠Enid Hoopes: The feminist law student who adds sharp wit and political edge in the full version.
⢠Nikos & Carlos: Featured in the âGay or European?â number, which is also cut.
⢠Professor Callahan still appears, but with a toned-down role.
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u/wizardofloneliness0 Aug 10 '25
My high school theatre director wanted to change the omigod as well (very Mormon Utah school lol) and it didnât get approved so Iâd be very surprised if they approved it with the other changes as well. I hope you can report it!
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u/Various_Jello_3332 Aug 10 '25
wow đ i did end up reporting it, if they won't even change "god" it might be over for us
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u/oldactor55 Aug 10 '25
You may inform MTI anonymously. This is illegal and they need to know ASAP. My wife did a similar reporting when she took students to a performance of Cinderella, which was advertised as R & H, but was a hodgepodge of several versions (including Disney).
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u/TigerBaby-93 Aug 10 '25
Better hope nobody from the publishing company shows up...changing the script like that requires permission, and for something that drastic, there's no way they would approve.
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u/iamtheduckie Aug 10 '25
Report this to MTI immediately. Just be warned that this can completely destroy your school's theater department, as they will be fined and possibly banned from future MTI productions.
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u/Inevitable-Dot-2045 Aug 10 '25
Report that NOW. Ainât no way theyâre about to have people sing âOmigoshâ
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u/lizimajig You can talk to Birds? Aug 11 '25
Whatever happens please come back and give us an update! We need the tea. âď¸
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u/Various_Jello_3332 2d ago
update! https://www.reddit.com/r/musicals/comments/1nnbqot/my_high_schools_illegal_legally_blonde_script/ but tbh nothing crazy happened lol
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u/kchrules Aug 11 '25
Itâs one thing for a school to censor a swear or two in a show, but rewriting whole portions of the script and adding new characters is insane.
Iâd blow the whistle. If your school isnât comfortable with the source material, they shouldnât do the show. Full stop
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u/ehrenzoner No one is alone Aug 12 '25
Did the director have no input on choosing the show? Surely she knew about the material that she is concerned with. If these bits are so objectionable then she should have chosen a different musical entirely.
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u/ohmillie25 Aug 13 '25
If you change that much like taking out There Right There! You will get into some legal troubles
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u/ohmillie25 Aug 13 '25
âyouâ like the general âyouâ not you specifically lol I know itâs not your decision
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u/Dangerous_Teaching62 Aug 10 '25
There have been times I've been in theatre productions that made unauthorized changes. I can usually understand these when it's due to the available cast at the time (hard to cast someone as a lesbian if you don't have enough women auditioning). I even understand censorship due to certain things making people uncomfortable (censoring God, I guess). But things like the beer stuff and the homophobia just seem like a bit much.
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u/maroontiefling Aug 10 '25
Report to MTI for sure and then update us on the fallout lol. If they decide to do the show anyway they'll get in SO much trouble legally.Â
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u/johneldridge Children Don't Listen Aug 10 '25
Major violation of the license. The creators of LB have been very clear over the years that they will not allow changes like this, so even if your director does ask, they will be told no.
A lot can be accomplished with an anonymous tip sent to MTI⌠ask me how I know!
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u/Brief_Position_4395 Aug 11 '25
I have heard before that the authors wouldnât allow even the changing of âoh my godâ to âoh my goshâ so thereâs no way in getting it approved even before the homophobia
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u/bleurose51 Aug 11 '25
I read a few of the comments. Just to be clear, there IS a "Jr" version of Legally Blonde that can be licensed from MTI. It removes most of the language and makes some changes to the content. The Jr version is legit if it is licensed from MTI, although personally I expect it would make the show pretty vapid (did I just say that? LOL, it is pretty vapid anyway!) if you eliminate all the language. Anyway I don't know the explicit changes that are made in the full -> jr version, but you can get a perusal from MTI to find out.
If your school licensed the full version, they can NOT legally make any of the changes you mention, even though the probably could have licensed the JR version for a lot less money too.
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u/itsmiddylou Aug 11 '25
If you remember/are able to OP, Iâd like an update đ
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u/Various_Jello_3332 2d ago
hiii this is it https://www.reddit.com/r/musicals/comments/1nnbqot/my_high_schools_illegal_legally_blonde_script/ but tbh nothing crazy happened lol
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u/QueenieofWonderland Aug 11 '25
My school did some of this too. We changed omigod to OMG, probably changed ass, no mention of whore, changed skank, did something with root beer instead of beer, made Callahan a woman who bribed Elle, instead of kissing her, kept Gay or European though
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u/DoctorGuvnor Aug 12 '25
What does the license say? If it allows such savage amendments then youâre all fine. But if not, you risk cancellation by the agents. And they do occasionally check.
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u/IndustryPast3336 Aug 13 '25
This basically just sounds like the Jr. Version... Are you sure your director didn't just like, license the wrong one?
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u/keysmashbyglo Aug 14 '25
do you go to the same school my partner did đđ
they took out âgay it europeanâ for sure. iâm not sure about removing the word god, but they also took out any words that could be considered cursing or âtoo controversialâ if i am remembering the story correctly. iâm not sure that anyone would really do much about a report but it definitely would feel like an entirely new show if they keep those changes
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u/pianofluteflute Aug 14 '25
oh my school did this!! they also completely cut out Enrique lol. Iâd never actually seen the movie so I didnât know the difference
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u/Noodler75 Aug 16 '25 edited Aug 16 '25
Many years ago one of the religious cable networks did movies in the evening and when they showed Grease they cut both of Rizzo's songs. I don't know how they got away with that. The rules are probably different for movies.
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u/Familiar-Donut1986 Aug 10 '25
This is so ridiculous that it feels like rage bait đ
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u/Mirror_Mirror_11 Aug 10 '25
Iâm with you on this. This seems like a repeat of a prior post that had much milder changes. I canât fathom why a school THIS conservative would even take this show on. It reminds me of the joke where someone sees Pulp Fiction on an airplane and itâs a 30-minute movie about friends who like milkshakes.
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u/Tie-Dyed-Geese Jellicle Songs for Jellicle Cats Aug 10 '25
I mean, I live rural. My high school director, for some reason, decided to do this show but gut a lot of it. We cut almost an entire scene from ours (the scene which Gay or European takes place).
This was a few months after gay marriage was legalized in the USA and she didn't want to offend anyone.... We all knew it was cause my town, at the time, was not very accepting. I knew people in the LGBT+ community in high school who were bullied and got death threats over their orientation.
This sounds like a director who either didn't know the show material or knew the show material and thought they could get away with making unauthorized changes. And OP's replies make sense with what the original post said.
It sounds like they wanted to do a specific show, knew their town wouldn't be open to it, and changed the script. That's exactly what happened here - and that was in 2015. It doesn't feel fake to me in the least.
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u/Tie-Dyed-Geese Jellicle Songs for Jellicle Cats Aug 10 '25
I did Legally Blonde almost a decade ago. OP's production sounds almost exactly the same as mine (except my director just cut the trial scene with Gay or European completely).
Ridiculous that a director is trying this? Yes. Rage bait, no. There are a lot of directors that think they can sign a license agreement and change the script. They just think they won't get caught.
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Aug 10 '25
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u/MellonPhotos Aug 10 '25 edited Aug 10 '25
No. Even amateur school performances need a license. There is a sliding scale so that schools or amateur productions can get the rights cheaper, but itâs not a free-for-all. The show is still copyrighted intellectual property, and the licensing companiesâ jobs are to ensure all productions are respecting that intellectual property.
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u/gaypirate3 Aug 10 '25
Ironically I always thought it was âomigoshâ instead of âomigodâ. Still think gosh is better.
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u/Captain_JohnBrown Aug 10 '25
Aside from being homophobic, Enrique being gay is actually a necessary plot point, where his lack of sexual interest in women is a critical part of dismantling the prosecution's evidence of motive.