On this page you will find answers to . . .
"It seems difficult to imagine a sequel to Prokofiev's 'Peter and the Wolf' that
does
justice to the original. But with 'Peter VS. the Wolf,' Justin Locke
has done just that--
and then some."
You can link to the SYNOPSIS AND COMPLETE SCRIPT.
This piece includes the music of the original Prokofiev tale and is offered on a "produce-it-yourself" basis. It has been performed by dozens of orchestras all over the United States, and was recently given European and South American premieres. It is one of several such works published by Justin Locke Productions.
also . . .
PVTW is a one-hour family and pops concert piece for orchestra and four actors.
Prokofiev wrote the music. Peter VS. the Wolf uses the music of Peter AND the Wolf.
NO. Peter VS. the Wolf is the SEQUEL to Peter and the Wolf. This is the story of the Wolf's trial. In this new story, the Wolf runs into the concert hall after breaking out of the zoo. He pleads his case with the audience, claiming he was "framed," and proceeds to tell the story of his trial. Lights come up on the stage; there is the orchestra and a courtroom. The District Attorney and Peter proceed to prosecute the wolf, but the wolf is too clever for them; he calls EACH INSTRUMENT TO THE STAND and cross-examines them; in the midst of the courtroom comedy every instrument of the orchestra is demonstrated and explained. The dizzy judge tosses out the instruments' testimony, leading to a rousing finish complete with dixieland music, surprise witnesses, spontaneous confessions, and pardons from the governor.
We don't normally send out perusal scores, as the music is all from the standard literature and mostly from Peter and the Wolf. We do send out scripts, but the fastest way to get a copy is to simply print out the synopsis and script page. (Just go to the page, click on "file" in your web browser, and hit "print." It's about 24 pages long.)
If you are internet/technically challenged, you can still get a script. or call me at [int'l: 001] 781 577 0169, and I'll send you one for free if you're affiliated with an orchestra or theater group. Note, preview VIDEOS are available (they are copies of an amateur/"home" video, but they are good enough to show you the pace of the show), and they are free, but I ask for a $50 deposit when borrowed.
The orchestration is the same as that of Peter and the Wolf: single woodwinds, three horns, trumpet, trombone, 2 percussion, and strings. (There are some added perc instruments.)
Absolutely. All rentals of the show include use of a score and a complete set of parts, including a "witness stand" part so the musicians don't need to memorize anything. The roadmap is crystal clear, with all the musican's spoken dialogue included in the books. The parts also include all the incidental music. A sound effects tape/CD is also included, along with other goodies.
Peter VS. the Wolf has been performed by orchestras of every size all over the United States, including the Symphonies of Minnesota, Phoenix, Spokane, and Nashville. It was recently done in Europe and South America. It has been done by professional, community, college, and high school orchestras.
Peter VS. the Wolf is offered on a "produce-it-yourself" basis. Most of my clients simply hire a local theater director to provide the actors. This gives you complete control over your production, and it saves the costs of hiring a travelling show. Once the actors have rehearsed, professional orchestras can put it together with one 3 hour orchestra rehearsal.
The eternal question. The simple answer is about a 85 cents a kid. But life is seldom simple anymore, so please read on.
Due to the reinstatement of copyright in works by Russian composers (via the 1998 GATT treaty), this is more complicated than it used to be or ought to be but I will try to explain and please pardon my repeating any stuff that you already know:
When you do Peter VS the Wolf, you are actually renting TWO separate pieces--
Peter VS. the Wolf (which I own)
AND
Peter AND the Wolf (which I don't).
Let's start with Peter VS. the Wolf:
"Peter VS. the Wolf" is a theatrical piece, therefore it does not fall under the care and control of ASCAP or BMI-- instead, you rent directly from the publisher, i.e., me. Like theatrical pieces offered by other publishers, the rental fee varies, depending on the size of the hall, cost of the tickets, major/regional orchestra, and so on. Typical rentals are anywhere from US$350 (for small amateur groups) to $850 to $2000 for professional orchestras.
telling me if you are a pro/ amateur/ student orch, size of hall, ticket prices, expected attendance, and I will make you an offer, no obligation, no salesman will visit your home! I am also happy to refer you to past presenters.
Okay, that's the first part. Now for the complicated part:
The fee paid to JLP for the use of Peter VS. the Wolf does not include the "grand/ dramatic rights" fee that must now be paid to G. Schirmer for the use of the Prokofiev music in this context. While a regular vanilla performance of "Peter and the Wolf" currently falls under ASCAP and can be paid for via your blanket ASCAP fee, PVTW is a theatrical work, there is no set fee for music used in theatrical works, so this "grand rights" fee to Schirmer has to be negotiated with them separately (I have absolutely no control over what they charge, so . . . ). This fee has to be paid to G. Schirmer even if you already own your own set of parts to Peter and the Wolf. Be advised that any piece that is under copyright that is performed with any added theatrical/ story telling/ costumed character/ added visual elements, even in a shoestring budget educational kiddie concert, may invoke the need to pay "grand rights" to the publisher. (Actually, technically speaking, since it involves the telling of a story, ANY performance of "Peter AND the Wolf" might be deemed to require payment of "grand rights." My advice: call Schirmer and check before you perform it.) Please don't be mad at me, I didn't make the rules!!! There is more info on the ASCAP website. If this is confusing, feel free to call me.
There are no issues of additional payments for any of the other pieces in the JLP concert catalogue-- unless, of course, copyright periods get extended even more than they are now, in which case we may have to start paying the Tchaikovsky estate for the use of Swan Lake.
For performances of PVTW in Europe, everything goes thru Sikorski Musikverlag.
"'Peter VS. the Wolf' is the liveliest introduction to orchestral
instruments I've ever heard." --Syracuse Post Standard
Other Links:
To find out more:
or call [001] 781 577 0169. You can send snailmail to Justin Locke One Randall St Waltham MA 02453
go to other JLP links:
