by tracyrenee | May 20, 2013 | News
Ruth K. Brown, Director
As a director I appreciated the fact that with my recent production of Women are from Venus; Men are from Uranus, J&G provided flexibility in casting, script usage and script changes to accommodate my vision and the limitations of the venue.
Royalty fees are on a sliding scale including the estimated audience size which is a key consideration for community venues. Royalty fees also include a CD with all of the music and sound effects required for the production. This is done using the PRESS PLAY method developed by J&G. For any low budget community theatre, complex sets can also pose problems. J&G keep their sets simple, i.e., often a single room, to keep production costs down.
I found the J&G staff very accommodating. They reached out during the rehearsal period to make sure any problems were resolved easily and reasonably. Permission, royalty and photo usage forms were provided quickly and in an easy-to-use format. J&G wishes to build relationships with those who perform their works, and they have already sent me FREE perusal copies of three additional plays for my future consideration.
Georgiana R. Staley and Wayne Meadows star as Woman and Man in The Everett Theatre’s production of WOMEN ARE FROM VENUS, MEN ARE FROM URANUS.
As part of my theatre work I also serve on the Board of Directors of the Delaware Theatre Association (DTA). DTA sponsors an annual short play festival showcasing work performed by community based theatres. Conversations with J&G have led to a commitment to re-write Women are from Venus; Men are from Uranus to a shorter length allowing submission at the 2014 festival which I will be directing with great enthusiasm.
In summary, my experiences working with J&G Unlimited, Inc. were delightful; and I will continue to consider and to recommend their works to other directors!
![“There is something for everyone in this show [Women are from Venus, Men are from Uranus], which is sure to have you laughing and perhaps sighing a little, as evidenced by opening night’s audience.” – Stage Magazine, May 2013](https://tlcscripts.com/wp-content/uploads/ScriptCover1024_WomenAreFromVenusMenAreFromUranus-232x300.jpg)
“There is something for everyone in this show [Women are from Venus, Men are from Uranus], which is sure to have you laughing and perhaps sighing a little, as evidenced by opening night’s audience.” – Stage Magazine, May 2013
BENEFITS OF WORKING WITH TLC Scripts AS PER RUTH:
- On-site printing capabilities so flexibility on what is received can usually be accommodated
- PRESS PLAY to eliminate or greatly reduce music and sound effect license fees
- Royalty fees are on a sliding scale including size of expected audiences
- Royalty fees include a PRESS PLAY CD with the sounds/music required by the script
- Flexibility with casting and even script versioning
- Permission and license forms are quickly received and easy to use
- Production photos and/or videos on their Facebook page for increased promotion
- Outreach during rehearsal period with the intent to help ensure production success
- Accommodation of other theatrical requirements if using one of their productions in a different way
by tracyrenee | Apr 27, 2012 | News
Sheboygan Falls WI: The J&G Gypsies are once again on stage at the Final Approach Dinner Theatre in Sheboygan Falls Wisconsin, performing the Sapperstein & Murway comedy, “Friends in High Places.”
Directed by Sheboygan’s own Ralph Maffongelli, aliens from the planet Quirdmut land on the Mall in Washington DC seeking our help, but wind out having to deal with our corrupt politicians to get it solved.
“This is a funny play that’s great for the whole family,” shared Ralph Maffongelli. “We welcome to the stage in starring roles, Randy Stache as President Arnot Thinkinear; Chris Fontaine as Powers Wayning; and Mike Roehl as General Geroge S. Trojan.”
Returning to the Final Approach stage with the J&G Gypsies is Susan Chambers Johnson as the alien Foit, Kevin Horne as the news reporter Chase Storyman and Tamara Richelle Pool as reporter Lilac Hellowitz. Joining them is Randall Stache as President Arnot Thinkineer, Ben Johnson as the alien Gnudt, Jim Johnson as the alien Loodigun, Danielle Rammer as Lola Clematis, Clarke R. Krist as Shelby Dunn and Pat Forkner as Sunny Day. Costuming and set design by Tony Olson.
Friends in High Places is on stage April 27th, 28th, 29th & then gain May 3rd, 4th & 5th. Tickets are on sale now with good seats still available, with a Matinee performance on April 29th. Enjoy dinner with your show, or just come for the show only.
The aliens from the Planet Quirdmut will be available after the show for photography with the audience. Also available after the show is an audio CD of the journey of our politicians to the planet Quirdmut to build intergalactic diplomatic relations.
Call 1-855-345-5550 (toll free) for tickets and information. Box Office is open until 9pm.
ABOUT THE J&G GYPSIES
The J&G Gypsies, led by Ralph Maffongelli, is a wholly owned subsidiary of J&G Unlimited, LLC a theatrical licensing firm representing the writing and composing team of Judith Sapperstein & Gary Murway. For additional information, please visit the J&G website at http://www.TLCScripts.com, or for the Gypsy show schedule.
ABOUT THE FINAL APPROACH RESTAURANT
The Final Approach Restaurant serves fine dining at a reasonable price. The food is exceptional and the menu is expansive, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. In addition to their restaurant, they have a Banquet Facility that can handle up to 650 people for weddings, parties, events, conventions and more. To learn more, please visit http://www.FinalApproachRestaurant.com.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Tracy Byrne, VP, CMO
creative@jandgunlimited.com
215-345-5550
by tracyrenee | Jan 28, 2012 | News
Ralph Maffongelli follows up one successful show at the Final Approach Restaurant with another that promises to be much funnier than the last, “Women are from Venus, Men are from Uranus!”
Sheboygan Falls Wisconsin, January 28th, 2012 – The reviews are in from the December 2011 performance of Sapperstein & Murway’s “Love and Merger,” performed at the Final Approach Restaurant at the Sheboygan County Memorial Airport and directed by Sheboygan’s own Ralph Maffongelli.
“We had a good time, it was wonderful! We enjoyed the show and look forward to many more,” was the general theme of audience comments shared with Ralph after their performance of Regal’s.
Now, with this show under their belts, Ralph and the J&G Gypsies have announced their 2012 show calendar, already taking ticket orders for February’s performance of “Women are from Venus, Men are from Uranus!” starring Kevin Horne and Eileen McCormick-Kelm as “Man” and “Woman.”
“As a theatrical director, I have read many new scripts, some requested and some not. The vast majority of them were so poorly written, that I could not figure out how people could put their names on them let alone submit them for production. That was NOT the case with any of the Sapperstein & Murway works I’ve had the pleasure of reading, however,” shared Ralph in a recent interview.
“There is something for everyone in this show [Women are from Venus, Men are from Uranus], which is sure to have you laughing and perhaps sighing a little, as evidenced by opening night’s audience.” – Stage Magazine, May 2013
“Ralph and J&G are working to create a new model for theatre presentation, one that’s all about the audience and their desire to simply have a good time. We are not here to be ‘artsy’ or ‘over-dramatized’. We just want to have fun and we want to do it with our audiences. We encourage our actors to ‘play’ with the audience in order to enhance their entertainment experience and make them feel a part of it all,” shared Judith Sapperstein, one-half of Sapperstein & Murway.
“So many of our audience members pulled me aside after the show’s in December to thank us for bringing something fun and new to them, that they’re so very tired of the same old works being done over and over again,” Judith stated.
In answer to audience demand, the 2012 season begins just in time for Valentine’s Day, February 10th, 11th, 12th, 14th, 17th and 18th with Women are from Venus, Men are from Uranus. Tickets are on sale now by calling toll free, 215-345-5550. Dinner, the show, tax and gratuity are all inclusive in the price of a ticket and group rates are available.
“In April, we begin to bring new musicals to our wonderful audience, starting with Bloomin! a work that holds a very special place in my heart,” concludes Judith. To learn more about the show schedule and what each show is all about, you are asked to please visit the J&G Gypsy website.
ABOUT THE J&G GYPSIES
The J&G Gypsies, led by Ralph Maffongelli, is a wholly owned subsidiary of J&G Unlimited, LLC a theatrical licensing firm representing the writing and composing team of Judith Sapperstein & Gary Murway. For additional information, please visit the J&G website at http://www.TLCScripts.com.
ABOUT THE FINAL APPROACH RESTAURANT
The Final Approach Restaurant serves fine dining at a reasonable price. The food is exceptional and the menu is expansive, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. In addition to their restaurant, they have a Banquet Facility that can handle up to 650 people for weddings, parties, events, conventions and more. To learn more, please visit http://www.FinalApproachRestaurant.com.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Tracy Byrne, VP, CMO
creative@jandgunlimited.com
215-345-5550
by tracyrenee | Sep 2, 2010 | News
J&G Unlimited has always been strongly committed to furthering the theatrical community and the quality and diversity of the works they have available to perform. Our objective is not to just license a play to you … no. We want to build a long-term relationship with you and your theatre, one that will benefit us both and help further our goals of great theatre everywhere.
Because of the like-minded commitment of the American Association of Community Theatre (AACT) to our own, and both organizations’ desire to help theatres in every way possible, J&G now offers an exclusive deal for members of the American Association of Community Theatre (AACT).
License any of our works and save 25% off the total cost of materials. Add to that the fact that, with J&G, you ALWAYS keep the materials … well, you save on shipping costs as well.
by tracyrenee | Feb 24, 2010 | News
By Ralph Maffongelli
Bucks County, Pennsylvania: What does the American Association of Community Theatres have to do with a theatre director’s transition from community theatre managing director to royalty house sales rep? Well the organization did not broker the deal between the Sheboygan Theatre Company (STC) and J & G Unlimited for the production of one of their musicals, nor did it play headhunter when I retired from STC and was approached by J & G. But AACT was literally at the center of the entire process.
It was through AACT that J & G located me and STC when they were promoting their catalog and one play in particular. The continual networking that AACT does, bringing all types of theatre companies together, led to a phone conversation between me and Judith Sapperstein, the J of J&G and one half of an energetic and talented collaborating duo.
As is so often the case, the piece first pitched was not the one STC produced. But we almost immediately began working on the world premiere of the election satire HUH? as our annual July 4th offering. The process could not have gone more smoothly and J&G was totally supportive throughout, even though we asked to make an incredible number of cuts and alterations in order to adapt the show for our free, daytime, outdoor venue.
When I shortly after decided that, having spent twenty-eight years at the helm of the Sheboygan Theatre Company, it was time to retire, Judy asked if I would join J&G and assist them in promoting their works. Based on the very positive relationship which had bloomed, I immediately said, “Yes.”
But still the question remains, why would someone be willing to go from one side of the desk to the other, transitioning from mounting shows to convincing others to do so? The answers are quite simple. First and foremost the scripts are good. Otherwise I would not be involved. As Shakespeare said, “The play’s the thing.” That’s the bottom line. Judith Sapperstein and Gary Merway turn out wonderful, well-written, well-conceived plays and musicals that are funny, entertaining and both producer and audience-friendly.
Secondly, J&G is committed to Community Theatre. They truly want to see good theatre presented and good theatres succeed. They will work with a producing company every step of the way, from making the script, perusal and royalty process as simple as possible to solving production challenges and authoring script changes. Thirdly, with their own marketing department and complete recording facilities, they have the necessary resources to provide this assistance. Along with scripts and scores come audio tapes which range from those with and without lyrics so performers can fully appreciate the vocal melodies to those that can be used in performance. Moreover, J&G designs, produces and markets ancillary products specifically for each show to be sold at show time.
So it was an easy sell for me to join J&G, but had it not been for the commitment of AACT to the national and international networking of all entities involved in producing quality amateur theatre the connection may never have been made. So keep reading good scripts and continue networking through AACT.
About J&G Unlimited, LLC.
J&G is a licensing company representing the works of Judith Sapperstein & Gary Murway. Being a small firm, J&G has the power and flexibility to work deals with theatres that will suit their timelines AND their budgets quite nicely. Additionally, J&G keeps the directors in close contact with the authors when they need to ask questions, get approval for changes or otherwise make requests. Need to receive your materials sooner than 8 weeks? DONE! Need materials you do not need to return when the show is over? DONE! Need to NOT be nickle-and-dimed to death on all the little things? DONE! Partner with J&G today and lets get the show on the road!
Contact Information:
Tracy Renee
Vice President, Marketing
tracy@JandGUnlimited.com
215-345-5550
http://www.JandGUnlimited.com
by tracyrenee | Apr 3, 2009 | News
