Spring 2015

Each and every character in our spring 2015 show, Book 'Em, including The Bookshelf Nine pictured above, is an existing literary character whose novel, short story, poem or comic book is in "Public Domain."

Works in the public domain are those whose intellectual property rights or copyrights have expired, have been forfeited, or are inapplicable. Examples include the works of Shakespeare and Jane Austen (those from previous centuries) but also more recent writers like J.M. Barrie (Peter Pan) and Edgar Rice Burroughs (Perry Mason.)

In the United States, determining whether a work has entered the public domain or is still under copyright can be quite complex, primarily because copyright terms have been extended multiple times and in different ways. But usually a written work becomes part of public domain 50-70 years after the author's death, unless the author's estate or his/her descendants renew the copyright.

When a book or a character enters public domain it means that other writers or artists can use the title, the characters, the setting, the story or any aspect of the work without having to either pay royalties (paying money to use/perform the work) or without getting in trouble by violating copyright laws.

Many famous works have entered public domain in the last few decades as seen by the number of movies and TV shows based on characters like Sherlock Holmes and Superman and Peter Pan or settings like Oz and Wonderland...all of which are represented in Book 'Em, a courtroom comedy/drama about the power of books.

The Bookshelf Nine: Captain Hook, the Big Bad Wolf, Professor Moriarty, Mr. Hyde, the Queen of Hearts, the Wicked Witch of the West, Snow White's Evil Queen, Frankenstein's Monster and Dracula, are on trial. They are accused of creating a conspiracy to corrupt the minds of young readers. The witnesses for the defense and the prosecution are all literary characters, as are the court officers, the lawyers, and the members of the jury. The case will determine whether books should be banned. And who will determine the outcome? THE AUDIENCE. They will vote on the guilt or innocence of the Bookshelf Nine. (And yes, there are two endings to the play - one for each verdict!)