Mamma Mia! is a licensed musical:
* Copyright: The music and script of Mamma Mia! are copyrighted works. This means only the copyright holders (in this case, Universal Music Publishing Group and the estate of Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus of ABBA) can grant permission for public performances.
* Licensing: They do this through licensing agreements with companies like Music Theatre International (MTI).
Steps to obtain rights to perform Mamma Mia!:
1. Contact MTI: Visit their website (www.mtishows.com) or contact them directly.
2. Submit a Production Application: You'll need to provide information about your production, including the date(s), venue, and your company/group.
3. Review & Approval: MTI will review your application and determine if they can grant the license.
4. License Agreement & Fees: If approved, you'll sign a licensing agreement and pay the required fees. These fees vary depending on the scale of your production and venue size.
5. Receive Materials: You'll receive the necessary materials, including the script, orchestrations, and other production information.
Important Considerations:
* Professional vs. amateur licenses: MTIs offers different licenses for professional, amateur, and educational productions. Ensure you choose the correct type for your needs.
* Production requirements: MTI has specific requirements for Mamma Mia! productions, including the use of the original music and choreography. They'll provide guidelines and may require you to meet certain production standards.
* Legal implications: Performing Mamma Mia! without a license is illegal and can result in legal action.
In short, you need to obtain a license from the copyright holders through a licensed agent like MTI to legally perform Mamma Mia!