leonardcohenforum.com

Hello!

My name is Nikka, and I've been a Leonard Cohen fan all my life. I'm also a writer, particularly of plays and scripts. Four years ago when I first saw "Mamma Mia!" I was struck by the thought that, if ABBA's music could make such a good story, surely Cohen's masterworks could make a great one. In that spirit, I have written a musical in tribute to Leonard Cohen's music, using 19 of his songs from across his discography.

However, I personally feel it would be deeply distasteful of me to begin hunting for a venue for this script without the knowledge and approval of the man to whom it is dedicated. I live in New York City and was fortunate enough to attend both the MSG and Radio City concerts. Both times I took scripts with me, hoping to somehow give them to Mr. Cohen. At MSG a women took my script but I've heard nothing since then (that was December); at Radio City I was politely told that everyone was under strict orders not to accept anything on behalf of any performers at the venue.

So now I turn to the internet with my final glimmers of hope. Is anyone here aware of any way whatsoever that I could send my script to Mr. Cohen?

Thank you so much!

I tell you Nikka, I hope you succeed in obtaining the proper permissions. Whenever I am in NYC or in London I have a compulsory determination to see musicals there, I've also seen Mamma Mia (which has a silly script) and also "Rain", the Beatles musical (which did not pretend to have a script) and I have enjoyed both of them because of the superb music.

And If you finally set up a Leonard Cohen musical I will pay "any" sum of money to obtain a couple of tickets to see it. I don't think I'm the only one here.

You will need permissions from both LC and Sony, and contracts with them. Sony owns the rights to the songs up to Ten New Songs.

It is best to begin with Sony Music. Contact their NY office to find out how to proceed. It is going to take time and energy, and a number of lawyers will get involved.

Mrs Michelle Rice is the rights issue lawyer at Leonard's management company. Her email is mrice@koryrice.com.

Such musicals have been made in Poland and Finland. I saw the Finnish one five times, the manuscript was pretty clever, no spoken words at all, just songs.

jarkko wrote:Such musicals have been made in Poland and Finland. I saw the Finnish one five times, the manuscript was pretty clever, no spoken words at all, just songs.

I wasn't aware of that. How interesting!

I hope you are successful Nikka.

Wendy

Thank you, jarkko!

seadove wrote:.

And If you finally set up a Leonard Cohen musical I will pay "any" sum of money to obtain a couple of tickets to see it. I don't think I'm the only one here.

"Amen"

Your production would be worth a trip to New York for me, as well, Nikka.

Wishing you every good favour and fair contract that anyone has to offer to make it happen for you.


~ Lizzy